| In Trouble Again Chapter Twelve |
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Mark, Kevin and Matthew pulled into the school parking lot just after lunch. In the car ride home the only sound that could be heard were Matthews cries. Mark sat in the very back seat of the van and comforted Matthew until they returned to the school. He apologized to Matthew for the sudden and unexpected paddling, but it was what the Judge had chosen and although Matthew didn�t think so, it was far better than a stay in detention. Kevin turned off the van and headed for the school while Matthew and Mark remained inside. I know you don�t think so, but you are very lucky that the Judge let you come home.� �I would rather spend a couple days there than have you paddle me like you did. It hurts Dad. It hurts a lot.� �I think the best thing for you to do right now it spend the rest of the day in your room.� �What! I�m still being punished?� Matthew pulled away from Mark. �No son you have it wrong. I�m not punishing you. I think it would be best for today that you stay up there. When you feel better you may come down if you want, but keep in mind all the questions you�re going to be asked.� Matthew turned and looked at his dad. �Oh yeah, court and what happened to David, Ricky, Jacob and Nathan. I won�t get any peace will I?� �Probably not.� When the bell rang, Mark knew lunch was over and all the kids would be heading back to school. Mark jumped out of the van. Matthew followed him and shut the door. Mark slowed his pace so Matthew could keep up. He wasn�t to anxious to enter the school, but it also hurt when he walked. His bottom had been pelted pretty good and Matthew didn�t know why, but that Judges paddle sure packed a good punch. Several times before they reached the front door, Matthew reached back and rubbed. He wasn�t crying like before, but he still hiccupped and stuttered when he talked. Mark and Matthew walked through the halls of the school, past the cafeteria and up the stairs. Matthew stood and stared at the door. �It�s going to be weird not having Jacob in here with me,� Matthew said. �I could find you another room mate for a couple days if you like.� Matthew shook his head, then turned the knob on the door. �Son?� Half in and half out of the room, Matthew turned to his father. �I�m sorry I had to take the paddle to you this time. I truly am.� �I know you probably didn�t want to, but the Judge said you had to.� �If you�re hungry I will go see if the cook still has any food left. I can bring you some ice if you like too.� Matthew placed his hand on his stomach as it began to growl. It was almost as if his stomach had heard the offer of food. �I am hungry, but I don�t want any ice.� A bit surprised by the turn down for some comfort, Mark�s eyes widened. �You don�t want any ice?� Matthew looked into the room then down the hall. He then looked at Mark. �I�m not saying I don�t want any ice, It�s just, I been thinking, and I am lucky to get to come home instead of getting locked up. That is David, Ricky, Nathan and Jacob�s punishment and they have to deal with it until the Judge says they can go. My butt will stop hurting long before they get to come home, so I guess since it was my punishment, I should deal with it until it stops hurting on its own. It�s the least I can do for them.� �Mark smiled at his son, reached out and messed up his hair. �You were wrong about yourself son. You are quite a man, and Very brave indeed. I will bring you some lunch and tomorrow you will go back to school.� Matthew watched his father walk down the hall and disappear. He turned and looked around the room. It had been quiet a morning. Matthew changed into some sweats and a t shirt, he looked through the books on the shelf picked one out and headed for his bed. He sprawled out on his tummy and opened the book, still all he could think about were the words his father had said to him. �You are quite a man.� Matthew smiled, then his attention turned to the throbbing pain on his backside. Matthew shook his head. I will think of it as a war in which I was captured and tortured by the enemy. These are my war wounds and in no time they will heal. �I can do it,� he whispered, then he opened the book. Wendy�s stomach tightened as Patricia pulled into the parking lot of the school. She had a wonderful time in Canyon City and at the bookstore. They had lunch in a little coffee shop in town and she had managed to not think about Ricky, her brothers or court. Every time the thought crossed her mind, Patricia managed to distract her. When they crawled from the car, Wendy went to Patricia and hugged her. �What was that for sweetheart?� �For making my day so wonderful. For getting me out of school and for distracting me every time I started to think about what today means. For lunch and for being so nice to me.� Patricia wrapped her arms around Wendy and squeezed her. �Well sweetheart, I love you too.� Alex smiled. Patricia motioned for Alex, and she joined them. Patricia finally let go and handed her packages to Alex. �Will you take these packages in and place them on my bed please? I want to talk to Wendy before we go inside.� �Yes Mother,� she replied. �Wendy, I hope all went well today in court and I hope the boys got to come home, but you should prepare yourself for the fact that they didn�t get too.� Wendy looked down at the ground, then she stared at the school. �He�s not here,� she replied. �Who? Ricky?� Wendy nodded. I don�t feel him. He�s not here.� Patricia turned Wendy toward her. She started to speak, but she stopped herself. Wendy had tears in her eyes. Patricia pulled her close and hugged her. Wendy started to cry. �Let�s go find your father sweetheart, and put your mind at ease.� It was just after 4 p.m. and School had been out for an hour Kids were roaming the halls and doing various activities all over the school. Wendy stayed with Patricia as they walked through the halls in search of Mark. As they went around the corner, Patricia was stopped by another parent. Wendy stood and few feet away and waited while they spoke. She could tell by the look on Patricia�s face, it was serious. Wendy watched as they talked and when they weren�t looking, Wendy headed down the hall in search of her father. He stomach tightened and fear consumed her. She wasn�t even aware that she was practically running. When she entered the cafeteria, she ran right into Camille. The force pushed Camille backward and Wendy fell to the floor. �Wendy! Watch where you�re going!� �I. I�m sorry. I didn�t mean. . .� Camille smiled then reached out her hand to helped Wendy up. �I�m really sorry about your little sweetheart. �What do you mean?� �Ohhh I�m sorry. You haven�t heard yet.� Camille looked over at her two friends, then back to Wendy. �Looks like you�ll have to find a new love because Ricky won�t be coming back!� Wendy felt faint and she couldn�t speak. She could only stare at Camille and her two friends. �I heard the Judge sent him to some prison for kid criminals until he is Eighteen because he�s such a bad boy.� Wendy could hear voices, but she couldn�t see anyone. When she opened her eyes the room was dark. A small amount of light seeped through the opening of the door. As she started to wake, she knew she was lying on her bed. Suddenly she remembered her conversation with Camille. �Wendy sat up in her bed. �Ricky!� she screemed, then started to cry. �Daddy� she screamed, then she started sobbing. Mark was on the other side of the door talking to Patricia and the doctor from town when they heard Wendy screem. When they entered the room, Wendy was sitting up and she was overcome with hysterics. She was yelling Ricky�s name and crying for Mark. Patricia and Mark both ran to her side to comfort her. The doctor reached into his bag that was sitting on the table and filled a syringe. Wracked with sobs, Wendy didn�t notice the doctor. Her face was buried into Marks chest, Patricia sat rubbing Wendy�s back. Suddenly Wendy felt something cold on her arm. She turned her face just in time to see the doctor with syringe in hand. Wendy started screaming. �Nooooo don�t touch me.� She tried to get away but Mark held onto her. Patricia held her arm and the docter administered the shot. �Noooooo I don�t want to sleep!� �It won�t make you sleep. It�s just to calm you down.� the doctor said. Mark pulled Wendy close to her and comforted her. When Wendys cries softened and the doctor felt the drug was working, he motioned for Mark to join him in the hall. Mark laid Wendy in Patricia�s arms and followed the doctor. �It�s obvious the child is in shock from hearing the news. It�s a bit odd that is would devistate her this much. Didn�t you say this boy would only be gone 40 days?� �Yes that�s correct. I do wish I had been given the chance to talk to her. I think it was told to her bluntly and that is why she fainted.� �Well I want someone to sit with her throughout the night. If she becomes hysterical again, I want her brought to the hospital. I will be on duty all night tonight.� �Thanks for coming out so quickly. I will walk you out.� Patricia sat on the bed in the dark and rocked Wendy back and forth as her sobs continued. �Wendy please try to calm down,� she whispered. Patricia continued to hold her and comfort her. �How could Daddy let them.� she cried. �Well honey, your Daddy didn�t have much to say about it. The Judge decided and that�s that.� �I won�t ever see Ricky again.� �I know 40 days seems like forever, but it really isn�t sweety.� �Wendy stopped crying and turned her head up. �Did you say 40 days?� �Yes honey. Ricky will be back in 40 days.� �Wendy started to cry again. �But Camille said he went to prison for bad boys until he is eighteen.� The words hit Patricia like a ton of bricks. �What! That girl said what?� Patricia pulled Wendy from her and sat her straight on the bed. �Tell me what that girl said to you.� Through her sobs and hiccups, Wendy told Patricia what Camille had said. Wendy began to feel more relaxed and she couldn�t sit up any more. �I want you to listen to me. Ricky is in Lowell county Juvenile Detention Facility with David, Nathan, and Jacob. He will be home in 40 days. David will be home in 20 and the other two in just a few days. I want you to try and calm yourself down before you get really really sick and wind up in the hospital. Do you hear me Wendy?� Patricia spoke very softly. �Yes Mother,� Wendy whispered just before her eyes closed. Exhaustion had taken it�s toll. Patricia laid her on her bed and covered her with a quilt. To hear Wendy call her mother warmed her heart. She indeed felt as though Wendy was her daughter. When Mark returned, he was happy to see she had calmed but was worried that she had fallen asleep. �The doctor said the shot wouldn�t put her out?� He took a seat on Wendy�s bed and touched her forehead. �It wasn�t the medication, it was the news that Ricky would be home in 40 days.� Mark looked at Patricia in confusion. Patricia motioned for him to follow her into the hall. �What exactly did Camille say to you?� �She didn�t say anything except Wendy fainted.� Patricia told Mark everything Camille had said to Wendy. As she continued, Mark�s face began to redden and the veins in his nect bulged. �Patricia, please stay with Wendy. I have something I need to do.� Mark turned and headed for the stairs. �Now Mark, I think you should give yourself some time before you say anything to the girl.� �Patricia please stay with Wendy.� Mark turned and left the room It was after eight when Mark passed the cafeteria. Most of the children had retreated to their rooms for the night but a few children were out and about. Mark stopped a couple girls in the hall. �Have you girls seen Camille or her father around?� �I saw her earlier, but I don�t know where she is.� One girl answered. �I think I heard her tell Charla that she was going to her room to write in her diary about today,� the other girl replied. �I saw her dad going through the cafeteria a few minutes ago.� �Thanks girls,� Mark said. He turned and headed through the cafeteria. He walked through the kitchen and down the hall toward the room where the adults went to for some adult conversation before turning in. When Mark entered, Camille�s father sat talking to another parent. �How�s Wendy?� he asked. �Well thanks to Camille, My daughter almost wound up going to the hospital.� �What happened?� he asked. Mark enlightened him as to Camille and Wendy�s conversation and the damage she could have caused by her vindictive behavior. Mark and James walked through the cafeteria and headed for the stairs. �We will get to the bottom of this once and for all,� James told Mark. �I thought for sure she had learned her lesson the last time this happened. I gave that girl a whipping every night for a week just before bed because of her little games. She isn�t going to admit she did anything you know.� �She won�t have to admit a thing. Charla said something about Camille writing everything down in a diary. I�m sure what ever we need to know, and possibly more, will be in there.� Mark and James talked all the way to the third floor and down the hall. Camille had dressed in her flannel teddy pajamas, had washed her face, brushed her teeth and her hair and was sitting on her bed writing in her secret diary when her door suddenly came open. She jumped and when she saw Mark and her father, she tossed her diary under her pillow. Mark and James closed the door behind them and headed for Camille. �What�s going on?� she asked. She scooted back on her bed and sat on her pillow. Mark reached for her and yanked her from the bed. James tossed the pillow aside and picked up the diary. �Hey that�s mine! You can�t read that!� she yelled. �You sit down and be quiet young lady.� her father scolded. Camille walked around and jumped back onto her bed. She reached for the book but James smacked her hands away as he thumbed through the pages. �I�ve given you more chances than you deserve so you sit down!� he scolded. Camille looked at Mark. She could tell that He knew, which meant her father knew as well. �You can�t read that!� she yelled. Mark grabbed hold of Camille and pulled her down onto the bed. �You do what your father told you to do. Sit down and keep quiet.� Camille sat still and watched her father thumb through her most private possession. Her stomach tightened as her father stopped toward the middle of the book. Mark leaned over his shoulder and they both read the passage that Camille had just written in her diary. It was a written confession. As Mark read it, his anger re emerged. �Do you have any idea what you�ve done young lady? Wendy was this close to winding up in the hospital over your spiteful attitude.� Camille stared at Mark but watched her father from the corner of her eye. Knowing she was in serious trouble, tears welled in her eyes. �I�m taking this with me.� James said as he continued to look at Camille. I have a feeling I will be enlightened by it.� �No! you can�t read it,� Camille cried. James ignored her and turned to Mark. �She is all yours. You can teach this child any lesson you wish, any way you wish.� �Camille looked at Mark then back to her father. �I hate you!� �When I�m finished with this book, You can bet I will be teaching you a lesson or two myself.� James turned and left the room. Camille�s eyes quickly focused on Mark. Expecting Mark to take her by the arm, she leaned back when Mark moved. Only he didn�t grab for her arm, he took hold of the legs of her pajama bottoms and before she realized it, Mark had pulled them off. Camille scooted back and pulled her knees to her chest. Mark took the pajama bottoms and tossed them onto the table. �You may keep your underwear for now!� Mark reached for the buckle on his belt. Camille watched as he undid the buckle and slowly pulled the belt from around his waist. The buckle clanged together as Mark folded the belt in half. Mark reached out and took hold of Camille by the arm. She struggled and fought, but Mark quickly pulled her forward, making her land on her front. Her bottom and legs were lying across the bed waiting for the belt. Camille kicked and twisted from side to side, but in her efforts to avoid the belt, Mark managed to smack her bottom once and her bare legs twice. Camille yelped when the belt struck her. Half on and half off the bed, Camille couldn�t get leverage enough to get her arms under her. Mark had his right hand in the middle of her back and was swinging the belt with his left. All her fighting and wiggling was useless as Mark struck any area that happened to fall under the belt. Camille continued to wiggle and twist. Finally after a dozen or so swats, Mark removed his hand, but managed to land two more swats before Camille pushed herself from the bed and fell to the floor on the other side away from Mark and the belt. Mark turned, grabbed a chair from the table, opened the door and pushed it out into the hall. He closed the door behind him. Camille let her head fall onto the covers on her bed, her knees folded under her, stinging legs and bottom rested on the lower part of her legs. She wept into her covers. Just minutes later, she heard the door open again. She looked up and when she saw Mark again, she stood up and back away. �Don�t make me come get you!� he scolded. Camille didn�t move forward. As Mark approached, Camille put her arms out. �Don�t touch me!� �You have not learned your lesson yet young lady!� he scolded. Mark grabbed Camille and pulled her toward the door. She struggled, but when Mark pulled her through the door, she saw the chair sitting outside and each one of the bedroom doors had girls standing in it, Camille started struggling more. �No oh no, Not out here. Not in front of everyone. Please Mark please,� she cried. Take me back to my room,� she cried. Mark paid her no mind. He pulled her to the chair, sat down and pulled Camille over his knee. Knowing everyone was going to see her get spanked, Camille kicked and wiggled with all her strength. It was all Mark could do to hold her. �I hate this school and I hate you! I will be mean if I want to and you can�t stop me! Camille yelled. Mark let go. Camille slid off his lap and landed bottom first onto the hardwood floor. Mark stood and leaned over her. �We will see about that!� Mark grabbed her arm and pulled her from the floor. He threw his arm around her waist and bent her forward. She could see some kids standing around with blank faces, but others seemed pleased. They would pay. Owwwww owww,� Camille yelled as Mark spanked her legs with the belt, then her bottom and back to her legs. Camille yelled loud enough that Sarah ran back into ther room and jumped onto her bed. Mark gave Camille ten licks then let her stand. He continued to hold onto her by the arm. �Are you ready to go over my knee now young lady?� Camille wiped her tears with her free hand and looked around the hall. So many people to witness her punishment. Some had even come from the other two floors. They lined the hall and the stairs. �Camille!� She turned and looked at Mark. Her bottom and legs stung, but she didn�t care. She couldn�t back down. She had a reputation for being someone all the kids feared, and she liked that. Camille turned around and looked at Mark. �I�m not sorry!� She could hear everyone in the hall take a deep breath. Mark grabbed Camille by the arm, turned her around and raised the belt. Camille danced around the hall as Mark swung the belt ten more times. He turned her to face him again. �You will not behave as you have ever again. Do you understand?� Camille nodded. Mark turned her around and gave her five more licks with the belt. �Do you understand me?� �Yes sir,� she cried. �Now, are you ready?� Camille looked at Mark. Though she never wanted to give in to anyone ever, she could tell by Marks expression, she had best do what he said for she had no doubt Mark would continue to whip her until she said yes. �I�m waiting young Lady.� Camille hiccupped and cried as she nodded her head. Mark raised his brow.� �Yesssss ssiirrrr,� she cried. Mark tugged at her and Camille followed Mark to the chair. When they got to the chair, mark turned to her. I hope you realize how much you�ve done these past few months and I hope you think real hard about how you should treat people if you want to stay at this home. Now I expect you to obey me.� Camille nodded. Mark let go of her arm and lifted her chin. �I told you earlier you could keep your panties, but the time has come for them to come down.� Camille had been rubbing her bottom and wiggling her legs to try to relieve the sting. Her hands immediately went to her panties. She held onto them as tight as she could. �I won�t take them down!� �Take them off and hang them on the chair,� Mark ordered. Camille didn�t obey.� Mark grabbed her arm and started to turn her around �Looks like you haven�t learned your lesson yet!� he scolded. �I�ll take them down, I�ll take them down,� she cried as she struggled against Marks grip. Mark let go and Camille stumbled a little. She caught herself and quickly took her place in front of Mark. Camille looked around the hall at all the girls watching, then she looked again at Mark. All she wanted was to go back to her room. This was worse than any punishment her father had ever given her. Camille stuck her fingers in the waistband of her panties and slowly peeled them away from her throbbing bottom. She pulled them down her stinging legs and she let them drop to the floor. She bent down, picked them up and hung them on the chair. Mark ran the belt through his fingers, folded it, then gave it a quick snap. Camille along with several other children, Jumped. Mark took a seat in the chair. �Come over here and get yourself across my knee young lady!� Camille thought of Wendy and the other kids he was father too. She began to be very thankful Mark wasn�t her father. Trembling and racked with sobs, Camille draped herself across Marks knee. He secured her legs. He rested his arm and elbow in the small of her back and he placed his right Hand on her hip to keep her from falling. Mark wrapped the belt around his hand so only a short piece remained. He raised the belt and with quick movement, he preceeded to give Camille a thrashing like no other. Camille yelped and wailed as the pain was more than she anticipated. When the color of her bottom took on a stripped burgundy color, Mark stopped. Camille lay across his knee heaving heartfelt wails of pain. �It�s time for all of you to get to bed now!� Everyone scattered and in less than two seconds, only Mark and Camille remained in the hall. �Mark released her and helped her up. Camille continued to wail as Mark picked up the chair and led her back to her room. Once inside, Mark sat the chair next to the table. He picked up her pajama bottoms and tossed them onto the wooden chair. �Sit down!� he ordered. Camille cried. �I, I can�t sit sit down.� Mark raised his brow again. �Have you not had enough of my belt?� Camille nodded. �Then sit down young lady.� Camille turned and slowly placed her bottom in the chair on her pajama bottoms. �Place your feet on the bottom rung and put your head on the table.� Camille obeyed. The pain was excruciating, but she had indeed had enough of Marks belt. Mark took a seat in the chair across from Camille. �I do not understand why you find it necessary to treat people the way you do, but as of today you won�t again. �You will not speak any words of any kind to Wendy again. Do you understand?� �Yesss yes sirrrr,� Camille wailed. Mark heard a light tap at the door. �Come in.� Patricia peeked around the corner. �I thought I would wait a couple minutes. �I brought these things for you.� Camille looked up over her arms to see what Patricia had. �You put that head down!� Camille obeyed. Patricia had with her a small bowl of cool water, some ice in a baggie and a couple bottles of some kind of soothing cream. �How is Wendy doing?� �She is still sleeping but Jessica is with her. I told her to come get us if anything happens.� Mark stood up and picked up one of the bottles of cold cream. �I know I�ve asked a lot of our friendship lately, but I�m going to ask you yet another favor.� Patricia looked at Camille, then back to Mark. She picked up the other bottle of lotion. �Why don�t you go check on Wendy and I will take care of this young lady for you.� �Thank you Patricia.� Mark turned to Camille. �Stand up young lady!� Camille lifted her head and pushed her hear from her face. Carefully, she placed her feet on the floor and stood. �We will be talking again later.� Mark turned and left the room. Patricia turned and looked at Camille. �Come, lets get you some relief.� Camille walked slowly to her bed, and with careful maneuvers, she got herself across her bed. Patricia sat on the edge and squirted some lotion onto Camille�s red belt stripped bottom. Even the gentle touch of Patricia�s hand made Camille cry. Patricia rubbed, then placed a thin cloth across Camille�s bottom. She took the bags of ice and sat them gently across the thin cloth. Camille continued to cry regretful sobs. Patricia reached up and stroked her hair. Not knowing how much sympathy she should show this girl, Patricia said little. She rubbed her back for a few minutes until Camille seemed to calm down. When Patricia stopped rubbing and started to stand, Camille reached out and took her hand. �Don�t go,� she cried. �Please stay with me.� Patricia settled herself on the edge of the bed. �I will stay, but we will talk if I do. Ok?� Camille nodded. �It�s not nice to do such mean things. You do know that don�t you?� �I don�t know. I don�t think about being mean. It just happens.� �Why did you tell Wendy they sent Ricky to Prison?� �I don�t know why. I wasn�t going to. It just slipped out and after I said it, I thought it was funny. I didn�t know it would hurt her.� �You didn�t know it would hurt her?� �Noooooo I didn�t.� Camille cried. Patricia thought about Camille�s answers. She knew something wasn�t right about Camille. Patricia didn�t feel Camille was lying. She felt just the opposite. Camille was being honest. This child needed help. �Camille. I think being nice to people isn�t easy for you. I think you are going to have to work really hard and really concentrate on not being crewl to others. I think it is something you�re going to have to work on.� �I don�t know how to not let it happen,� she cried. �I think you�re going to have to figure it out or you might just be getting a few more whippings like the one mark just gave you. So you want that to happen?� �Nooooo. I don�t want another whipping as long as I live.� Camille burst into tears. �I�m sorryyyyyy.� she cried. Patricia looked up at the ceiling. She wished Mark could have heard this conversation. Outside Camille�s door, Mark stood with a smile. The next morning as the sun peeked through the windows in the hall, and the light fluttered in, Mark headed up the stairs with some yogurt and some fruit for Wendy. As he reached the top step, Camille met him. Startled by her presence and not quite sure what their meeting would bring, Mark greeted her. �Good morning young lady!� �How is Wendy?� she whispered. �She had a rough night. I had to stay with her all night long.� �Can I see her?� Mark nodded and they proceeded down the hall together. �You�re up early this morning.� �I couldn�t sleep very well either.� When they reached Wendy�s door, Mark stopped Camille. �I will take in the tray and I will ask Wendy if you can come in. If she doesn�t want to see you then we will respect her wishes. Understand?� �Yes sir.� Camille stood to the right of the door as Mark entered. She could see through the small opening between the hinges of the door. Wendy lie motionless in her bed. A couple minutes later, Mark returned and motioned her to come in. Camille carefully took a seat in the chair next to Wendy�s bed. �I�m sorry I hurt you Wendy. I really am.� Wendy turned her eyes to her father. He smiled. She then looked at Camille and nodded her head. She never spoke a word. Camille watched as Wendy struggled to take a bite of her yogurt. Finally Mark helped her to get the spoon in her mouth. After a couple bites, Wendy finally closed her eyes and turned her head away. Camille suddenly realized what she had done. She stood up and headed for the door. Mark sat the tray down, leaned over Wendy and gave her a kiss. �I will be back in a few minutes sweetie.� Mark hurried from the room. Camille stood at the end of the hall on the first step that led upstairs. Her head rested on the railing and she wept. Mark pulled her from the steps and wrapped his arms around her. �It�s ok. Wendy will be fine.� �But I did that to her. I did that!� Camille continued to cry. Shhhhh shhhh. You�re going to wake the entire school and it�s way to early for me to deal with Sarah the jumping bean.� Camille looked up. Mark was smiling. Camille giggled. �Is she really a jumping bean?� �Most mornings she is.� Camille�s face turned sad again. �Camille, I think we should talk later. Patricia told me of you�re chat with her yesterday and I think we can help you if you want it.� Camille nodded. �I want to be better and I don�t want to hurt anyone again. I want to help Wendy get better.� Mark hugged Camille again. �I believe you do, and you may help me with Wendy. I can�t trust you yet, so you may not be in the room alone with hr. I will send you on errands but for today I think you will be doing what ever your father has in mind for you.� �He�s isn�t going to whip me is he?� Mark could see the panic on Camille�s face. �Don�t tell on me now, but he isn�t going to whip you. I told him I gave you a good enough whipping last night.� �I can�t sit down,� Camille stated. �It hurts more than anything I�ve ever felt before.� �Turn around,� Camille turned her back toward Mark. He reached for the waistband on her pajama bottoms and undies and pulled them away from her waist. Mark glanced at Camille�s bottom. �Well, you certainly may not be able to sit comfortably for a few days.� He let go of the waistband and Camille turned around. �It was my intention to teach you a lesson and I hope I did that. I hope when ever you sit down today, you will remember what the pain is for and why you have it. In my experience as a young person, the stripes from the belt will disappear in a day or two, but you will still feel them for several days to come. I hope you will behave yourself.� Camille smiled at Mark. I�m sorry I made Wendy sick and I�m sorry I hurt her.� I believe you are. Now I think you should go on upstairs and get ready for school. Camille�s eyes widened at the thought of school and all that sitting. �Ohhhhhhhh,� she moaned as she walked up the stairs. Camille dressed for school, made he bed and picked up her dirty things. As she picked up her books, her bedroom door opened. Her eyes widened as her father stood in the doorway. She gulped down the lump and sat her books back down on the table. James took hold of Camille�s arm. �Bend over,� he instructed. Camille quickly obeyed. She felt her skirt being lifted, then she felt her panties being pulled away from her bottom. She closed her eyes and remembered what Mark had told her. He�s not going to spank you. Suddenly she felt herself being pulled from the table and turned around. So young lady! I suspect sitting is difficult from the looks of it.� Camille nodded.� �And I also assume you will behave yourself from now on?� �Yes sir,� Camille replied. �Well we will just have to see about that now won�t we?� �What do you mean?� Camille asked. �Are you gonna whip me too?� Well now that depends on you. I think you will be carrying those strips around with you for a few days. I want to see how much good you can do while you still have them. I read that diary of yours and there are a lot of people you owe an oppology to. You will not mearly tell them your sorry. You will show them in some way and by some kind jesture that you are deeply regretful of your actions toward them. You will also do the same for Wendy. But how you do that is up to you. I want to see you make an effort to make things right with your reputation around here. If I see any old behavior or mean vindictive attitude come from you, I won�t hesitate to wear that bottom of your out. No more chances Camille. Not one! Do you understand me young lady?� Camille�s voice quivered. �Yes sssiiirrrr,� �Now you get on down to breakfast and then off to school. You�re on probation so you had best walk the line or I will be adding to the stripes you already have.� James turned and left the room. Tears filled Camille�s eyes as she looked around the room. Everything began to blur. Camille looked at her books then looked at her bed. She reached back and touched her bottom. She would never be able to sit in chairs all day long with such a sore backside. Suddenly her door opened slightly and Jessica peeked in. Camille saw her and at first she wanted to slam the door in her face, but instead, she burst into tears. �I�m soooo sorryyyyyy.� Jessica slipped in and closed the door. She hugged Camille and let her tears fall onto her uniform. �It�s ok, don�t cry.� Daddy says I have to make things right or he�s gonna wear out my bottom, but Jessica, I don�t even know where to start. I�ve been so mean to so many people.� �If you want me to help you, I will,� Jessica replied. Camille stood up and looked at Jessica. �You will help me?� But why?� �Because I know you�re really sorry. I saw it in your face last night just before you went across my Dad�s knee. I could hear it in your cries. Daddy�s never strapped any of us like so I know you�re in pain today. Jessica opened her hand. �Here take this.� �What is it? It�s Ibuprophen. I snatched it once from the school nurse when I was in to see her. It will help you not to hurt so much.� Camille wiped her tears and took the pill from Jessica. She tossed it into her mouth and took a drink of orange juice. �What is all this stuff you brought with you?� �I asked Daddy if I could bring you breakfast and he said I could. He told all of us that we should give you another chance. I figured this was a good start and besides, I didn�t think you would really want to to go the cafeteria. All the boys know about your whipping and I know how I would feel if a bunch of boys knew.� Camille stared at Jessica, then smiled. �Thank you for doing this for me. It was really kind of you especially since I�ve been hell on you. I still don�t know what I should do to make things right.� �I think you should help Wendy get better first, and I know if you think real hard, you will be able to figure out a way to make it up to everyone all at once. You�re dad would be impressed.� �I don�t know what I�m doing that is so wrong. I�ve been me forever,� Camille cried. �My father is going to wear me out.� �Camille listen ok. You argue and sass all your teachers. Don�t talk back to them anymore. Do your homework and answer stuff in class. I know you�re smart, just don�t be such a smartass all the time. Think before you say stuff even if it takes a minute or two to find the answer. You get sent to Mr. Parker and your dad is going to hide you for sure.� Jessica and Camille talked and ate breakfast. They walked to class together and every time Camille wasn�t sure about something, she glanced over at Jessica. Camille kept quiet in class and in school for most of the day. After school let out, she took her books to her room, then headed to Wendy�s. The door was closed so she knocked. Mark answered. �May I come in?� Mark held the door open and Camille squeezed in. Wendy was sitting up starring out the window. Her eyes were all puffy and red. �Hi Wendy,� Camille whispered. �Are you feeling better?� Wendy shook her head. Camille sat down carefully on the edge of the window seat. �I�m sorry I lied to you Wendy. I didn�t know and I�m really sorry.� Wendy turned to Camille. �It�s ok. I forgive you,� she whispered. Wendy leaned back and went to staring out the window. Mark�s eyes widened and he stepped toward the girls. It had been the first time Wendy spoke since she told Patricia about Camille. �I want to be by myself now,� Wendy whispered. Mark motioned for Camille and they both left together. Wendy reached under the pillow of the window seat and pulled out a letter. It had been the last thing Ricky had given her besides the memory of that stolen kiss on the morning he was taken away. She held the note close to her heart and she cried. |