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Chapter Fourteen
Sunday Lessons

    Wendy lay in bed and watched as Jessica scurried around the room getting dressed. Though she had been told to get up and get dressed, she made no attempt to do so.

     �You heard what Daddy said when he came up, so you better get out of bed and get ready.�

     �I�m not hungry, and I don�t want to go to church today,� Wendy replied.

     Jessica tossed her sweater onto her bed, then took a seat on Wendy�s. �I think you best get that butt of yours out of bed and get dressed, or Daddy�s likely to take you to church with a stinging bottom.�

     �I don�t care!� Wendy replied. She flipped over and buried herself under the covers.

     �Fine, what ever! It�s your hide that�s gonna get it, not mine.�

     Jessica finished fixing her hair then made her bed. She picked up her clothes then headed out the door. Wendy turned and looked at the door after Jessica left. She wondered if her father had been serious when he said she had to get ready for church. Couldn�t he just let her be? Suddenly the door burst open and Jessica ran back into the room. Wendy sat up in her bed.

     �You better get up! Dad�s on his way up!� She cried.

     Just as Wendy kicked off the covers, Mark knocked, then entered. Wendy took one look at her father�s face, and she knew she was in trouble. She jumped out of bed and ran to her closet.

     �Ohh no you don�t! You get your bottom over here right this minute!� he scolded.

     Wendy�s tummy knotted. She let go of the closet door, turned and looked at her father. She gulped.

     �Jessica, Nadia needs help with her shoes, then take her and Sarah down to breakfast.�

     �Yes sir,� she replied.

     As she exited the room, she sent a glance of sympathy toward Wendy.

     �I know you heard me young lady. Come here!� Mark pointed to the spot on the floor in front of him. In her bare feet, Wendy took the steps slowly.

     �Why are you not ready for church?�

     �I don�t want to go,� she cried.

     �Well I�m sorry, but you are going to church.�

     �But Daddy!�

     Mark lowered his chin and raised his brow. �It�s not up for debate. I�m going downstairs to eat breakfast. When we leave for the church, if you�re not there and I have to come get you, I�m going to put you over my knee and spank you, then you will go to church, and you can tell your Sunday school teacher what a mean father you have. Do you understand?�

     �Wendy didn�t answer her father. She stood in front of him and stared.

     �Did you hear me, young lady!�

     Wendy didn�t know why, but her anger welled inside her. Didn�t he notice how she was hurting? Didn�t he care? Wendy clenched her fists and continued to glare at Mark.

     �Wendy!�

      �Fine!� Wendy yelled. She turned and went to her closet. She threw open the door and started pulling out dresses and shoes and tossing them onto the floor. Mark stood and watched in shock. He had no idea what had gotten into her.

     �That�s enough!� he yelled. �Stop that right now!�

     Suddenly Wendy stopped and looked down at the floor. When she realized that her feet were surrounded in clothes and shoes her heart began to pound. She slowly looked up at her father. His face looked upset enough that Wendy watched for his hands to reach for his belt, but they didn�t. Instead his voice turned soft and Mark reached out to her.

     �Come here.�

     Wendy stepped out of the clothes and took Mark�s hand. She followed her father to the table and sat down in one of the chairs. Mark reached down and picked up one of Wendy�s jumpers and a pair of stockings.

     �I do not know why you did that, but you can bet we will talk about it later.�

     Again, Wendy gulped.

     �I will be back in fifteen minutes. I expect to see you dressed and I expect that to be picked up and put away. I do not want to have to spank you before church, so I am giving you one more chance.�

     Mark leaned over and kissed Wendy on the top of the head, then left the room. Wendy sat in the chair and looked around the room. She knew her father was serious. She looked at her bed, then Jessica�s bed. She glanced at the pile of clothes that lay on the floor. She didn�t know what came over her or why she did that, and she was shocked that she wasn�t getting a spanking before church. She stood, slipped off her pajamas then put on her uniform and stockings. She picked up all the clothes and hung them back in the closet, made her bed, then sat in the chair and waited. A few minutes later Mark returned. He was pleased to see her room picked up and that she was dressed.

     �It�s time to go Wendy.�

      Though she felt cross and wished to be left alone, Wendy stood and took hold of her father�s hand. When they got to the main hall and headed for the front door, most of her brothers and sisters stood waiting by the front door.

     Sarah and Nadia ran down the hall toward them. �Hi Wendy. I�ve missed you.�

     �Hi Sarah.� Wendy whispered.

     Matt, Madison, Emily, Rebecca and Jessica all took turns hugging her. They all left the building and headed for the church. It sat in the field on the other side of the parking lot. The church had a large steeple with a bell that the kids took turns ringing on Sunday mornings. The church was built of brick with lighter and darker shades of clay. Inside it had hardwood floors, older than the ones in the school and the benches had intricate carvings from another time. Wendy liked the old church but didn�t like sitting on the hard wood benches. The church itself was bigger than it looked from the outside. Pews lined both sides of the sanctuary and colorful windows that rounded at the top lined the walls. When they entered the church, organ music was already playing and the service was about to begin. Mark escorted his children in, and as quietly as they could, they all found places to sit. Wendy saw Alex and Missy sitting a couple rows up. She thought it was strange that they weren�t sitting in their usual spot next to their mother. As Wendy stepped away, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked up.

      �I think you can sit by me today,� Mark said.

     �But Daddy!�

      �Shhhh. You will sit by me.� Mark escorted Wendy to a seat next to Patricia. She scooted over, Wendy took a seat and Mark sat next to the aisle.

     �Daddy, I want to go sit by Alex,� Wendy whined.

Mark looked at Patricia, then back to Wendy.

�Last night you disobeyed me and this morning you did it again. I should make you sit here next to me through church as a punishment. Don�t you think that would be fair?�

�Daddy, sitting next to you isn�t a punishment. I love you, but I wanted to sit next to Alex.�

Mark smiled and hugged Wendy. �I love you too, and for that you may go sit next to Alex.�

Wendy smiled, hugged Patricia, then headed down the aisle toward Alex and Missy.

With all the children and parents from the school, the little church was almost filled. A few neighbors who lived close by came to Sunday service as well, and were invited to the school after service to share the afternoon meal. Most of them were elderly and enjoyed the company of young people. Mr. Mason never missed a Sunday service, the Sunday lunch at the school, or a chance to beat the kids in a game of checkers or chess. He said it kept him feeling young.

When Wendy took her new seat, Alex gave her a big hug. �I�m sorry I didn�t come and see you, Mother said you were resting.�

�It�s ok. I don�t feel much like company anyway.�

�I�ve missed you, Wendy,� Alex whispered.

As Wendy began to speak, the church service started. She hated this part the most, not the minister, but the sitting still and keeping quiet. Thirty minutes later, they were dismissed to Sunday school while the adults stayed. The Sunday school classrooms were outside in an adjacent building to the church. Wendy and Alex held hands as they headed for their class. A couple of feet from the room, Wendy stopped. Alex came to a quick stop, then turned toward Wendy.

�What are you doing? We�re going to be late!�

�Lets not go to Sunday class,� Wendy whispered.

Alex knew this probably wasn�t a good idea, but she hadn�t seen Wendy in several days and from what she had heard, Wendy was really sad over Ricky and everything that had happened. Alex didn�t want to let Wendy down.

�Where would we go?� she asked.

�Miracle hill. I want to go up there.�

The two girls headed back into the church just as one of the Sunday school teacher came out.

�You�re going to be late for your class, girls.�

�We just need to get our coats,� Wendy replied.

�Ok, but hurry along.�

The girls grabbed their coats and headed out the door. When the last person disappeared into the small building, Alex and Wendy turned and ran past the front steps of the church, through the cemetery and down the long path that lead to the hill. The crisp November air bit at the girls noses as they walked along the trail.

�Ohh Wendy it�s really cold out here,� Alex exclaimed.

�I know, but I like the way it feels and it�s so pretty at the top.�

Finally the girls made it to the top of the hill. Wendy took off her coat and tossed it onto the ground. She sat down and Alex plopped down next to her. Alex took one arm out of her coat and Wendy stuck her arm into it. The girls sat on the top of Miracle hill wrapped together in Alex�s coat. All of the leaves had fallen from the trees and gathered together like a family on the ground. Wendy kicked at the leaves that surrounded her feet. Alex couldn�t get over the glorious view of the mountain range. The clouds seemed to kiss the tops and for a minute, Alex thought it might have been snow.

�Wendy, are you going to be ok?� Alex asked.

�I think so. Why do you ask?�

Because ever since, well you know, ever since that, you haven�t been yourself. I miss you.�

Wendy looked at Alex. �I�m glad we came up here. I feel better, but I won�t feel happy until Ricky comes back.�

�I don�t think Ricky would be too happy if he knew how upset you�ve been. I don�t think he wants you to worry about him so much.�

�I didn�t mean to be so sad. It just happened.�

�Will you sit with me at supper tonight?�

Wendy stared off into the land that lay before her. She pulled her arm from the coat and turned around. She looked at the school that lay below them. She looked at the church, the barn and all the out buildings.

�I haven�t been much of a friend to you lately have I?�

�It�s ok. I just wish you wouldn�t think about Ricky so much, and think about yourself. Time will go by much faster if you don�t think about it every minute.�

�I know you�re right Alex, I just don�t know if I can.�

�I will help you get through it. You can eat supper with me tonight. That will be a start.� Alex smiled at Wendy.

Wendy looked down at the ground. �I don�t know if I can.�

�Wendy come on, pleaseeeeee,�

�Ok, I will try.�

Alex threw her coat off and wrapped her arms around Wendy.

�I think we should probably get back down to the church. Sunday school should be just about over.� Wendy suggested.

Alex stood up and pulled on her coat. �I hope so. I�m freezing.�

Wendy stood up, brushed the leaves from her stockings, then picked up her coat. Leaves were stuck to it, and though she tried to shake it, several small pieces stuck to the back and sides.

�Just put it on and I will pick them off.�

Wendy slipped on her coat and Alex brushed off most the twigs and leaves. As they made their way back down the hill, she continued to pick at Wendy�s coat.

�Your coat is wet, Wendy, and it has dirt on the back from being on the ground.�

�Don�t worry, by the time we leave the church it will be dry.�

As the two girls got closer to the church, they could hear singing. That meant adult church was seconds from being over and Sunday school had either been released, or was close to it. The girls hurried in through the back door of the Sunday school and tip toed down the hall. Classes hadn�t been released yet, so Wendy and Alex slipped into the bathroom and waited. Finally several doors opened and children entered the hall. Alex and Wendy left the doorway of the bathroom and joined the group of children as they walked down the hall, out the door and back into the church.

Mark felt relieved when he saw Wendy enter with a smile.

�Looks like someone had a good Sunday school lesson today. I�m so glad I didn�t let her stay in her room.�

As the girls passed, Patricia noticed the bottom of Wendy�s dress looked wet and it also looked as though it was dirty. She looked at the back of Alex�s dress but it looked clean. She glanced down at the girl�s shoes. She wasn�t sure about Wendy�s shoes, but she was quite sure Alex�s shoes had been spotless prior to coming into the church. Now they were covered in dirt. Church music still filled the room as children and teachers filed in. Patricia leaned over and whispered to Mark. He glanced at the girls who were now standing in front of their bench. He moved from his spot and went to both of the girls. They were close to the aisle so Mark reached over and tapped them both on the shoulder. When the girls turned, he motioned for them to come with him. The girls looked at each other, then crept out of their spots and followed Mark out of the sanctuary and into the foyer of the church. Patricia was right behind them.

�What is it, Dad?� Wendy asked.

�Let me see your hands Wendy.�

Realizing that her hands were like ice, she quickly stuck them into the pockets of her jumper.

�My hands? What for?�

Suddenly Alex felt someone reach for her hands. She turned quickly and looked at her mother.

�Alexandra, why are your hands like ice?�

�Because they�re cold?�

Patricia frowned at Alex. She took hold of Alex�s hand and led out of the church and into the Sunday school building. Together they entered a classroom.

�I won�t ask you again. Your hands are like ice and your face is red from the cold. Your nice church shoes are covered in dirt, and I know it didn�t come from walking to Sunday school.

Alex quickly looked down at her shoes. They were indeed soiled. Alex burst into tears. �Ohhhh Mommy, I�ve been so naughty. I skipped Sunday school and went to Miracle Hill with Wendy.�

Alex threw her hands over her face in shame and continued to cry. Patricia stood with hands on hips as Alex continued her performance. When she realized her mother wasn�t speaking, Alex stopped crying, and peeked through her fingers.

�You ought to be ashamed of yourself Alexandra Michelle!�

Patricia turned and left the room. Alex stood in the middle of the classroom not knowing what to think. What was Wendy saying to her father, and what was going to happen to the two of them for missing Sunday School, and what was her mother going to say to her after such a performance. This time Alex did burst into tears.

When Patricia entered the hall, Mark stood outside another classroom.

�What did you get out of Alex?�

�She and Wendy skipped Sunday school and went to Miracle Hill, though I don�t think Alex is a bit remorseful. Her confession and display thereafter, was pitiful to say the least.�

�Well Wendy won�t confess to anything. She says her hands are cold because she washed them in cold water. When I showed her the back of her dress and then pointed out the mud on her shoes, she quit speaking altogether. I don�t know what to do with her. It took a lot to get her out of her room today, I don�t want to send her back to it as a punishment.�

�I have an idea. When service is over, why don�t you go back to the school with the children and let me handle the girls.�

What do you have in mind?� Mark asked.

�A Sunday school lesson of my own.�

Mark smiled and nodded. �You take care of this lesson, and I will take care of the lesson at bed time.�

Patricia looked at Mark in surprise. �Alexandra too?�

�Do you have an objection?�

�Absolutely not. I know Alex looks up to you, and I think she is in need of a little reminder. It�s been a while and after that little performance, I think she is due.�

�What did she do?� he asked

Patricia explained to Mark about Alex�s less than remorseful confession, and her lack of real tears. �She has gotten quite good at it,� She explained.

Just as Mark began to speak, Wendy peeked her head out of one of the classroom doors. Mark pointed, and Wendy quickly closed the door.

As the people filed out of the church, Mark gathered his children and Missy. With the entire congregation, they headed toward the school for lunch. Patricia went to work.

Wendy turned her head when she heard the door open. She was a bit surprised to see Patricia instead of her father.

�Where�s Daddy?�

Patricia entered the room and closed the door. �Your father went back to the school for lunch.�

�He�s angry with me, isn�t he?�

�Well, did you lie to him about where you had been and why your hands were cold?�

Wendy looked at the floor. Patricia turned and went to the blackboard. She erased what was there and drew a line down the middle of the board. On one side of the line she wrote a small passage. She then wrote another passage on the other side of the line.

�Wendy, I want you to come up here and read these out loud, then I want you to write what you think they mean. When I return, I expect it done.�

Patricia turned and left the room. She walked down the hall and entered the classroom where she had left Alex. Alex was sitting at the table with her head down.

�Alexandra Michelle, come with me please.�

Alex stood, sniffled, and then went to her mother.

�I am very disappointed in your choice of behavior.� Patricia turned and headed for the door.

Alex knew she had done wrong. She knew her sad little act had been far worse than skipping Sunday school. She had done so, hoping to get sympathy from her mother, instead of punishment. It had been a mistake that she was sure, would cost her dearly.

�I�m sorry Mother,� she said as they walked down the hall.�

Patricia paid her no mind until they reached the other classroom door. Patricia turned and looked at Alex.

�Such a disobedient and disrespectful little girl. You will not speak again unless I ask you to. Do you understand?�

Alex felt like crying again. �Yes Ma�am.�

Patricia opened the door and escorted Alex in. Her eyes widened when she saw Wendy standing at the board writing something. Patricia took Alex to the front and stood her to her right side. She then instructed Wendy to stand at her left side. Patricia took a moment to read what Wendy had written.

�The two of you will not speak to each other and you will not speak to me, unless I ask you a question. You will listen and do as I say. You chose to skip out on your lesson today and you, young lady, chose to lie to your father.�

�But I��

Patricia glared at Wendy. �You will keep quiet!�

Wendy jumped at Patricia�s harsh words. Patricia moved Alex and Wendy so they were standing about three feet apart. Both girls were facing the front of the room. Patricia went to the teacher�s desk and picked up two Bibles. She handed one to Alex and another to Wendy. She instructed the girls as to which page to turn to. Patricia instructed them on the passages they were to read. They read passages on lying and obedience aloud, over and over. Twenty minutes later, Patricia returned the bibles to the teacher�s desk.

�Take a seat girls,� Patricia ordered.

The girls sat next to each other, but they didn�t speak. Patricia erased the board, and drew another line down the middle. On one side she wrote, *I will not lie to my father.* On the other side she wrote, *I will not be deceitful with my attitude.*

�Wendy, that line is yours, and Alexandra, that one is yours. You will write your lines 100 times each. When you are finished you may bring me your papers, then as soon as we have a confession from Wendy about where you were today, we will go back to the school.�

Wendy turned and looked at Patricia, then to Alex. She knew Alex had already said where they had been.

�We went to Miracle Hill,� she answered.

�I think you need to make that confession to your father as well,� Patricia replied.

�But I don�t want a spanking!� Wendy cried.

Patricia stood and walked over to where the girls were sitting. She reached out and placed her hand under Wendy�s chin.

�You knew better than to skip church, still I don�t think, if anything, that is what you will be spanked for, that is if your father intends to do so.�

Wendy looked up at Patricia in total confusion. �Huh?�

Patricia removed her hand and stepped back.

�I want you both to think for a minute. When you came back to the church, did you lie to your father, Wendy? Patricia looked over at Alex. �And you, young lady, what did you do?�

Alex bowed her head in shame. Wendy glanced over at Alex. She wondered just what her friend had done. Patricia stepped back and pointed to their papers.

�What do these say?� she asked the girls.

Alex stared at her paper for a minute, then looked back at her mother.

�Wendy, I think it�s important for young ladies to go to church and I think it�s important that one obey her parents. We are all worried about you, and your father felt it would be better if you didn�t sit in your room all day. Sneaking off and going to the hill during church, was wrong, and it would have gotten you a stern scolding I am sure, but it isn�t why the two of you are being punished. Finish your papers so we can go home.�

Both girls worked hard on their sentences. Wendy finished first and handed her paper in. Patricia took Wendy out of the building and back into the sanctuary. She led her to the front pew and Wendy took a seat.

�Sit here until I come back for you,�

Wendy sat and looked around the Sanctuary. The light from outside made designs on the wall as it peeked in through the stained glass windows. Wendy stared at the statue of Jesus. She wondered if God thought she was a naughty child for sneaking out of Sunday school and for lying to her father. She again wondered what it was, that Alex had done. She wasn�t sure what Patricia meant when she had made Alex write that sentence. Wendy closed her eyes.

�I�m sorry,� she whispered. �I�ve been really sad lately, you know why. I know I don�t have the right to ask with me being so naughty, and all, but please keep Ricky and my brothers safe. Make me not feel so sad and not miss him so much, and most of all, please don�t let my father spank me when I go back to the school. �I�m sorry I was bad today and I won�t miss church again. I promise.�

When Alex finished her last sentence, she handed the paper to her mother. �I�m sorry Mother. I know I did wrong and I won�t do it again.�

Patricia looked up at Alex. �I am shocked and disappointed in your little display to get out of trouble. I hope you learned that it only got you more trouble, and I hope I never see that kind of behavior from you again.�

Alex didn�t say she was sorry again. She just looked away in shame. Patricia took hold of her hand and they headed back to the church. Alex could tell by her mother�s touch and the grip on her tiny hand, that her mother was indeed upset over her behavior. Alex knew it well enough to know, she was going to get a spanking before the day was over. Her tummy turned into a knot.

�Wendy, It�s time to go,� Patricia said.

The girls stayed quiet as they walked back to the school with Patricia. She took the girls into the cafeteria and they had a quick bite to eat. There were still people from the church at the school. When they had finished, Patricia walked them to the stairs.

�Alex, I want you to go to your room.�

Alex looked at her mother, then looked up the stairs. Her tummy knotted. She wondered why she had to go, but she didn�t want to ask. She did as her mother said.

�Wendy, I don�t want to send you to your room so I�m sending you to the library instead. I�m sure you can find a book to read. I still expect you to confess to your father.�

�I�m sorry, Patricia. I�m sorry.�

Patricia wrapped her arms around Wendy and gave her a hug. Wendy spent the entire afternoon reading. It wasn�t as bad as she had thought. At 5:30, Mark came to the library. It had been the first time she had seen her father since Sunday service. Wendy felt a little nervous.

�Hi, Daddy,� she whispered.

�It�s time to eat,� was all Mark said. He turned and left the room. Wendy sat her book down on the table and followed her father closely.

�Daddy, I�m sorry I lied to you,� she cried.

Mark stopped and turned to Wendy. When he spoke, his words weren�t harsh, but they weren�t forgiving. Wendy knew her father was truly upset with her.

�When you are finished with your supper, you may go to your room. We will be talking about this before bed.� Mark turned and walked away.

Wendy stood in the long hall and watched her father disappear around the corner. I finally did it. He is tired of my lies once and for all. He doesn�t love me anymore. Wendy looked around for a place to go, but there wasn�t any. She covered her face with her hands, Unlike Alex�s, her tears were indeed real.

�Don�t cry, Wendy,�

Wendy looked up. Jessica stood in front of her, then wrapped her arms around her.

�But I lied to Daddy and now he doesn�t love me anymore.�

�That�s not true, and you know it,� she replied.

Wendy filled Jessica in on her and Alex�s expedition, the Sunday school lesson and the lies.�

�I told Daddy I was sorry, but he didn�t listen.�

�Don�t you see, Wendy? Dad is giving you the cold shoulder, not because he doesn�t love you anymore, but because he is trying to teach you a lesson. You can�t lie to people and think they won�t care. Daddy has been trying to teach you that lesson for such a long time, but you still lie to him.�

�Do you think I�m going to get a whippen?�

�I don�t know, Wendy. Dad has been so worried about you these last few days, I don�t know what he will do, but I think you have to stop lying to him.�

�It was just a little lie,� Wendy whispered.

�Wendy, it doesn�t matter if it�s little or big, you do it too often, to get what you want.�

�Ohhh. I don�t mean to. Really I don�t.�

�Well don�t worry about it so much. I�m happy to see you talking and not hiding in your room. Let�s go eat supper, then you can think of a way to tell Daddy how sorry you really are.�

Wendy wiped her tears and took hold of Jessica�s hand. Together the girls went to supper.

It was the first time in days Wendy had eaten in the cafeteria. She sat on the side of the table where she could see her father. He sat next to Patricia and seemed to be in a rather good mood in spite of the day�s events.

�Hey Jessica. You think Dad and Patricia like each other?�

�Why that�s a silly question, of course they like each other.�

�You think they like each other enough to get married?�

�Ohhh you mean like that!� Jessica turned and watched her father and Patricia together at the table. Now that she gave it some thought, they did spend a lot of time together and he did say she made great company. �You know you might be right. Maybe Dad does like her like that.�

�I know and she is awful nice too. I think she would make a great mother.�

Jessica smiled. �It would be nice to have her for a mom wouldn�t it.�

Wendy nodded. �Have you seen Alex yet?�

�Momma made Alex eat in her room tonight,� Missy stated. She was sitting at the table just across from Jessica and Wendy.

�Is she punished for the entire night?�

�I think that is what she intended when she told Alex she had to stay in her room.�

�Maybe I should go check on her before I go to my room after supper.�

�I think the two of you are in enough trouble already. I�d stay out of there if I were you.� Missy replied.

Wendy finished the rest of her supper, and then turned in her plate. On her way past, she stopped at her father�s side. Mark reached out and rubbed Wendy�s arm as he continued to talk to Ricky�s father over supper. When he finished, he turned to Wendy.

�I�m so sorry I lied to you today, Daddy,� she whispered.

�This is not the time or the place to discuss it. Are you done eating?�

�Yes, sir.�

Then I would like for you to go upstairs, take a bath and get your pajamas on. Make sure your things are picked up and that your things are ready for school tomorrow. I will be up in a while and we will talk then.�

Not exactly sure what he meant by talk, Wendy nodded, then left the cafeteria.

She went into her room, gathered her pajamas and went down to the bathroom. This early in the evening it was empty. She ran a bath and added some bubbles, undressed and jumped in. She washed, then soaked for a while. All she could think about was Ricky, and if he was ok. Then she wondered what her father was going to say to her. He didn�t seem all that angry so maybe she would just get a firm scolding like Patricia had mentioned. Then she thought about Patricia and how it would be nice to have her for a mother. She remembered what Alex had said about her scoldings though. They always seemed to make you feel terrible for disobeying without even being punished.

�Wendy, are you in there?�

Wendy�s quickly slid up in the tub. �Yeah I�m in here, why?�

�Cause you�ve been in there for an hour and I need to take a bath,� Madison yelled.

�Ok I�ll be out in a minute.�

Wendy pulled the plug, dried off, dressed in her pajamas and brushed her hair. When she opened the door, Madison and a couple other girls stood waiting in the hall.

�It�s about time!� Madison pushed her way past Wendy and slammed the door.

Wendy scurried down the hall to her room. She hung her wet towel and fished for the note from Ricky. She read it through a couple times, but when someone knocked on the door, she folded it and stuffed it into her underwear drawer.

�Alex! I thought you. . .�

Alex brushed past Wendy and took a seat on the bed. It looked as though Alex had taken a bath also, and was in her pajamas too.

�Wendy I�m worried.�

�Why?�

�You know how Mother told me to go to my room?�

�Yeah�

�Well I ate supper in my room, but it wasn�t my mother that brought it to me.�

Wendy looked puzzled. �Who brought it to you then?�

�Your father brought me up my supper. He told me to take a bath and put on my pajamas. He said he and I were going to have a little chat later. You think I hurt my mother so much that she can�t even scold me herself?�

�Wow! I don�t know. You know it was your mother that scolded us earlier and made us write those sentences. Maybe he wants to talk to us sort of like she did.�

�Does he spank very hard?� Alex asked.

�I don�t think Daddy is going to spank you, Alex. I don�t really think either of us is going to get a spanking tonight.�

�I�m not taking any chances. I�m going back to my room. He told me to not to come out, and look where I am!�

Alex turned and reached for the knob. When she pulled open the door, Mark was just about to open it. His eyes widened in shock when he saw Alex standing there. Alex took two steps back. Wendy�s mouth dropped open.

�Am I in the wrong room?� he asked.

Both girls didn�t say a word.

Mark looked down at Alex. �No, I don�t think I am in the wrong room, but I do believe you are.�

Mark reached out, took Alex by the arm, and pulled her through the doorway into the hall.

�Get back to your room!� he scolded.

When he let go of Alex, and before she could get out of reach, Mark smacked her pajama-covered bottom. Alex jumped when Mark�s hand made contact. It startled her and she took off running. Mark re-entered Wendy�s room and closed the door.

Wendy stood by the window and watched her father take a seat on her bed. Mark patted the bed next to him and Wendy quickly took a seat.

�Do you have something you want to say to me?�

�I�ve been trying to tell you all day, how sorry I am,� Wendy replied.

�Wendy I believe you are sorry, just like you always are every time you get caught in a lie. I have spanked you for it many times, but you continue to lie to me whenever you think you�re about to be punished. I have told you many times, when you do so, it only makes your punishment worse. When you lie, you give me no choice but to have to spank you.�

Wendy looked down at the bed. Mark reached over and placed his hand under her chin. �I have heard you say you�re sorry for lying to me, but I have yet to hear where you were, instead of in class.�

Wendy spoke barely above a whisper. �Me and Alex went to Miracle Hill.�

�Did it pain you in any way, to tell me that?�

Wendy shook her head.

�Well Wendy, I have thought about it all day, and I have decided to tell you what your punishment would have been for sneaking off to the hill if you would have confessed when asked.�

Wendy watched and listened.

�I would not have spanked you. I would have scolded you, given you an extra chore and sent you to bed early tonight. You need the sleep anyway. Now because of your finding it necessary to lie to me in order to avoid all punishment, you are going to be paddled.�

Wendy sat straight. �Daddy! No!�

�You keep quiet!�

�Not only am I going to paddle you, but you and I are going to take a trip to the bathroom right now. Maybe the taste of soap will help you to remember not to lie to me.�

Wendy covered her mouth with her hand. �I won�t lie ever again, please don�t put soap in my mouth.�

Mark stood and pulled Wendy from the bed. Her eyes welled with tears as they left her room and headed for the bathroom. There were a couple of girls in the bathroom using one of the sinks when Mark and Wendy entered. They both stared at her because she had started to cry. Mark stood Wendy on one side of the sink, he stood on the other. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a hotel-sized bar of soap and pulled off the wrapper, then turned on the tap. Both of the girls� eyes widened and they quickly left the bathroom.

Wendy looked at it in fear �Daddy, please don�t,� she cried.

Mark put the bar under the tap and lathered it up. Wendy watched at the bubbles from the soap grew.

�Put your hands on the edge of the sink and keep them there.�

His voice was stern, and although Wendy didn�t want to, she obeyed. Wendy watched her father�s hands, then glanced up to see his expression. His face looked very serious. How could he want to punish her like this. Mark looked up briefly, then turned off the water. The soap was nice and lathered. Mark placed his hand under Wendy�s chin and lifted it. She blinked her eyes to rid them from the tears.

�Open your mouth!� he instructed.

Wendy looked at the soap and started to cry.

�Daddy I�m sorry, please don�t punish me this way,� she cried.

Wendy had never had her mouth washed with soap before, but she had heard it was an awful thing to have happen to you.

�Open up, and stick out that tongue!�

Wendy hiccupped, then slowly opened her mouth.

�Open wider!�

She opened as wide as she could get herself to, then stuck her tongue out just a little.

Mark placed the tiny bar completely inside Wendy�s mouth, then he tapped her chin. Wendy started bawling.

�Close your mouth.�

Wendy did the best she could, but the soap tasted awful. Suddenly she gagged and spit the bar into the sink.

Mark picked the bar up and turned on the water. He rinsed the bar, then lathered it again.

�We will try that again. If you spit it out again, I am going to take off my belt.�

Wendy reached up and wiped her eyes.

�You keep your hands on that sink until I tell you to remove them. Now! Open up.�

Wendy clenched the side of the sink, closed her eyes, then opened her mouth. The soap was warm and slippery. It tasted awful. She felt her father tap her chin, and Wendy pursed her lips together. Tears ran down her cheeks as the taste of soap filled her mouth. Daddy was being cruel, to make her do such a thing. She moaned a couple times, but she still never heard an instruction to spit. Finally she opened her eyes. Her father was standing there keeping time with his watch. Wendy mumbled and cried, but a mouth full of soap made it hard to talk.

�Three more minutes,� he said.

Wendy moaned and whined. She would never be able to hold it for three more minutes. She stood with her hands on the side of the sink. She wiggled her toes around in her socks and her knees did a little dance that only the pipes under the sink could see. Finally, Mark said the magic words.

�You can spit now.�

Wendy opened her mouth and the soap flew into the sink. Wendy lowered her head and started spitting and gagging.

�Water!� she cried.

Mark turned on the tap and handed her a cup. She rinsed and rinsed, but the taste remained. When Wendy straightened, Mark handed her a washcloth and her toothbrush. She brushed her teeth for several minutes, then washed her face. When they left the bathroom, Wendy headed toward her room, but she felt her father take her arm and turn her to him.

�Go down to the linen closet!�

Wendy knew what he wanted. She turned and walked down the hall. She reached back and rubbed her bottom in anticipation of what was to come. Hadn�t the mouth soaping been enough punishment?

Wendy stared at the little oval-shaped paddle that hung on the inside of the closet door. When she heard her father call her again, she reached up and removed it from the hook, then returned to her father. Mark reached out and Wendy placed it in his hand.

�Do you remember your behavior this morning?� Mark shook the paddle at Wendy.

Suddenly, Wendy remembered her tantrum and the flying clothes. Her eyes widened.

�You�ve had quite a day.� Mark pointed, paddle in hand, toward her bedroom door. �Go!� he ordered.

Wendy scurried down the hall and shoved the door of her room open. She walked to her bed, then turned back toward the door. Her father had already entered and closed the door behind him. Wendy glanced at his face, then to his hand. He still had the paddle.

Wendy stuck her tongue out and touched it with her fingers. �I think I need more water,� She headed back toward the door.

�No you don�t need more.� When she tried to pass him, Mark reached out with the paddle and stopped her. �Let the taste of that soap remain.� Wendy looked up at her father. �Maybe it will remind you to tell the truth once in a while.�

Wendy reached up and touched the paddle that rested on her chest and kept her from passing. Mark reached over, took hold of Wendy�s arm, and pulled her in front of him. He gave the paddle another slight shake in front of her. �And this is for your attitude, and the little tantrum display you had this morning, and the one you had just now.�

Wendy didn�t speak as Mark led her toward her bed. Her face was sulky with the unfairness of it all. He took a seat on her bed and tugged her across his knee. Wendy groaned an objection and started to fuss. Mark was taking no nonsense from her, and secured her tightly across his knee.

�I think for the sake of your bottom, you had best stop that right now, and hold still!�

Wendy stopped wiggling. Tears developed in her eyes as she felt her father pull down her bottoms. She let out a little whine in protest and threw back her hand.

�Daddyyyyy, MmmmmmHmmmmm,�

Whack! Whack! Whack! Three smacks came quickly, and Wendy jumped.

�Owwwwww,� she cried.

�I told you, that was enough!�

Wendy started crying, her tummy ached and Daddy�s harsh words stabbed at her heart. Mark secured her hand at her side and lifted the paddle again. Mark administered six sharp slaps with the paddle. Wendy jumped and cried as each one made contact. She hated that paddle more than anything. Mark sat the paddle on the bed, then pulled Wendy�s pajamas and undies back up over her bottom. He pulled her from his knee, turned her around and wiped the tears from her eyes.

�I do not like to have to paddle you, and you know I only do so when it has been truly deserved. No more lies, and no more tantrums. Do you understand?�

Wendy nodded.

�Now I think you should wipe those tears again, and get yourself into bed.�

�Yes, sir�

Wendy wiped her tears away and took a deep breathe. Her bottom stung from the whacks it took, but she knew her father was right. She realized that she had been cross, and behaved badly all day, and had deserved the swats.

Mark turned back her covers, Wendy crawled in and Mark tucked the blankets in around her. On his way out of the door, he picked up the paddle and headed across the hall.

Alex was sitting Indian-style on her bed when she heard the door open. At first she just saw Mark�s head, then the rest of him entered the room. When Alex saw what he was holding, she scooted back and pulled her legs in. She wrapped her arms around her knees and locked her fingers together. Mark closed the door behind him and laid the paddle on the table.

Patricia was seated on the edge of Alex�s bed and Mark could tell by Alex�s expression and her body movement, that Patricia had explained what her punishment was going to be Mark walked to Alex�s bed and took a seat on the opposite side of Patricia.

Alex glanced at Mark. She remembered when he came to her room after she had gotten whipped by Mr. Callahan and how he had showed her kindness. Alex remembered wishing that Mark was her father, but then Patricia came along. Alex knew that Mark wasn�t mean, but the thought of being paddled by him terrified her.

Alex burst into tears. �I�m sorry. I won�t do it again.�

Alex threw her head onto her knees. Mark reached over and touched her head.

�Alexandra?�

Mark reached under her and placed his hand under her chin. He pulled her head up.

�Stop crying, now,� he ordered. �Wipe your eyes, because we are going to talk.�

Alex wiped her eyes and tried to calm herself. She peeked around Mark to see if the paddle was actually lying on the table. She wanted to make sure she hadn�t imagined it. It was still there. Alex turned toward Mark.

�My mother says I deserve to get paddled. She says you�re going to do it.� She swiped at her eyes again. �Are you going to paddle me like she said?�

�Well Alexandra, I think you and I need to have a little talk first. Your mother and I did talk, and she told me about the way you acted when she took you into the classroom. She was very shocked and hurt by your display of remorsefulness, or the lack thereof. Do you know what I�m talking about?�

Alex continued to hiccup and wipe her eyes as Mark spoke. �Yes,� she replied.

�Your mother tells me you pretend to cry sometimes to get out of trouble. Do you think that is a good way to behave when you�ve been naughty?�

�No.�

�Alex, your mother loves you very much. She spends a lot of time with you, and takes you many places. We have talked, and I feel you needed a firmer hand in this situation. We feel your performance of acting remorseful, needs to be dealt with a little more severely. It is a serious thing to behave in such a manner. When you behave like that it isn�t any different than when Wendy lies to me. For that, I washed Wendy�s mouth with soap, and I did indeed, paddle her. I know I�m not the parent you were assigned to, but with all that you and I have been through together, I don�t feel far from being your father. I think this behavior of yours needs to be nipped in the bud. You behaved in a disrespectful way to your mother, and I won�t allow it. You will not do so again or you and I will be having a similar meeting.�

Alex listened intently to Mark as he spoke. Though she was only eleven, she knew and understood just what his scolding words meant. She had been naughty, and deserved the correction only a father could give. It warmed her heart when he said he felt close enough to be her father, yet it terrified her to think how much being paddled by him was going to hurt.

Alex felt her mother rise form the bed and she quickly turned her attention to Patricia.

�Mommy, please don�t go. I don�t want a spanking from him. I don�t want to get the paddle. Mommy, please.� Alex had crawled from her bed and started to follow her mother, but Mark restrained her by grabbing her arm.

Alex watched as her mother went to the table and picked up the paddle. She stopped struggling as her mother approached. Patricia held the paddle out to Alex.

�Take it!� she ordered.

Alex reached out and took the paddle from her mother. Patricia reached over and lifted Alex�s chin.

�I love you dearly Alexandra Michelle, but to behave the way you did shows great disrespect for me. This time, your punishment would be best if it came from your father.�

�No Mother, Nooooooo,� Alex cried as Patricia left the room and closed the door behind her.

Alex quickly remembered who had hold of her. She turned and looked at Mark.

�I�m sorry. I�m sorry. I won�t do it again, don�t paddle me, please,� Alex cried.

Mark remained quiet. He reached up and wiped the tears from Alex�s eyes, then held his hand out for the paddle.

Alex knew her mother was serious, and she knew the punishment from Mark was going to be hard. She liked to think of him as her father, but she never ever wanted to be disciplined by him. Reluctantly, Alex handed the paddle to Mark. He set it on the bed next to him, moved Alex between his knees, then pulled her across his lap.

Fear kept Alex from crying, but when Mark reached for the waistband of her pajamas, Alex started screeching and kicking her feet.

�Nooooo. I�m sorry. Mommmyyyyyy,� she wailed. Alex lifted her head and threw her arms toward the door. She knew she was no match for Mark if she tried to resist.

Mark secured her, then took hold of the waistband of her pajama bottoms. Alex grabbed them, and secured them in her tiny fingers.

�Nooo, nooo no. Please,� she cried.

Mark lifted Alex from his knee and turned her toward him. �Alex, that is quite enough!� he scolded.

Mark kept her in front of him until her cries subsided a bit. She held so tightly onto her pajama bottoms that her tiny fingers had started to turn white.

Mark spoke in soft but firm tones. �Alexandra, let go of them, now!�

Alex slowly let go of her bottoms and placed her hands to her side.

When Mark moved her just a little, and Alex thought she was going back over his knee, she clutched onto her bottoms again.

Mark let go of her and stood up. Alex bumped into him and took a step back. Mark dropped the paddle onto the bed.

�I am going to count to three, and if that bottom of yours isn�t bare I�m going to take my belt off.�

�One�

Alex�s eyes widened as Mark reached for the buckle.

�Two.� Mark started to unbuckle his belt.

Alex watched Mark and when he started to unbuckle his belt, she grabbed the waist of her pajamas and peeled them down as quickly as she could. He meant business, and Alex certainly didn�t want a taste of Mark behind a belt. Alex stepped one foot out and with the other foot, kicked them off. They went flying across the floor. Mark let go of his unbuckled belt and took a seat on the bed.

�Come over here, young lady!�

With tears in her eyes, and her bottom completely bare, Alex went to Mark.

Mark lectured no more, but she could tell by the look he gave her, that she had just made her punishment worse.

�Get yourself over my knee!�

Alex started to cry as she laid herself across Mark�s knee. Mark wrapped his arm around her waist and secured her legs.

When the paddle dispensed its first stinging smack, Alex jumped and yelped.

�Owweeee, ohh oww owww,� Noooooo.�

Each stinging swat with the paddle came one right after the other. The swat and the sting were more terrible than Alex imagined. She clutched Marks pant leg and wailed, as he continued.

�Ohhh owwwweeee.�

Spankings from fathers were far worse than hand spankings from Mothers. Alex wished for it to be over. She couldn�t even say she was sorry because the swats only made her cry out.

�Ohwwwww owhhwwwweeeee,�

Mark administered fourteen stinging smacks with the paddle before he set it down on the bed. He had made them harder than he intended, but her disobedience couldn�t, and wouldn�t be tolerated. Mark helped Alex from his lap and stood her in front of him. He was sure that her hiccups and wails could be heard down the hall but he knew he had to remain firm with her.

�Go and get your bottoms!� he ordered.

Alex looked around, then spied them by the door, she ran to the door with both hands on her little red rounded cheeks. They felt so hot under her hands. When she got to the door, she couldn�t decide which cheek to let go of so she could retrieve her bottoms. Finally she reached down with her right hand and picked them up. She turned and took them back to Mark.

�Sit them on the end of the bed,� he ordered.

Alex obeyed.

�Alex, I want you to listen to me carefully. When you misbehave, it is best to own up and accept the punishment. If you don�t, the punishment can, and will, be a little more severe. Do you understand?�

Alex nodded, then wiped her tears.

�Good! Now hand me the paddle!�

Alex stopped crying for a second and her eyes widened. Mark was being really severe with her and she wasn�t sure she wanted to cross him, or deceive her mother ever again. Especially not by pretending to cry. She was done for good. She reached over and handed Mark the paddle. Mark stood and instructed Alex to bend forward, she obeyed. Mark wrapped his arm around her waist. He landed three swift swats, then let her go. He tossed the paddle onto the bed and picked up her pajama bottoms. He peeled the underpants from within and handed them to Alex. Though her bottom throbbed, she put them on as quickly as she could before he changed his mind and decided that she needed some more. The pajama bottoms came next. Mark handed Alex the paddle.

�Take it down the hall and hang it back where it belongs, in the linen closet on the hook.�

Alex opened her door and scurried down the hall. Her bottom throbbed, and she couldn�t stop crying even though there were some girls roaming the halls. She opened the closet door and placed the paddle back on the hook. When she returned to her room, Mark had pulled her covers back. He pointed, and Alex made no objection to going to bed. She had no intentions of returning to get that darn paddle.

Mark tucked her in and kissed the top of her head. When he turned out the light and left, Alex kicked off her covers and took off her bottoms. She lay on her side, then covered herself up. She decided then and there, she didn�t ever want to get correction from Mark, ever again. She loved him, but getting spanked from Daddy, hurt way too much.