bh29

Chapter Twenty-Nine
Everyone But Alex

�He kissed her! He kissed her!� Sarah yelled, as she ran down the hall toward her room.

   Alex, Missy and Wendy were sitting on the floor playing a board game. Jessica and Lynda were sitting on the bed looking at a magazine filled with articles and pictures of cute movie stars. Nadia was tracing the outline of Lizzie�s hand onto a piece of paper, when Sarah burst into the room.

   �Sarah! What�s the matter?� Jessica asked.

   �He kissed her! He kissed her!�

   Everyone stopped what they were doing, and looked at Wendy.

   �Don�t look at me! I haven�t the slightest idea what she�s talking about.�

   Sarah took a deep breath and then let it out as she threw her arms into the air. �I don�t mean her. I mean Daddy! Daddy kissed Patricia!�

   All of the girls� eyes opened wide, as they jumped up and surrounded Sarah. Jessica quickly shut the door.

   �They kissed?� Alex asked.

   �Yes, I saw them,� Sarah screeched as though no one had heard a word she had said.

   �Calm down,� Wendy scolded. �And tell us what you saw.�

   Sarah took another deep breath and made her way to the bed. She jumped up and took a seat right in the center, and the girls surrounded her on all sides.

   �Come on, Sarah! Tell us what you saw!� Missy cried.

   �Well, I was just walking around downstairs trying to be really quiet, when I saw a light coming out of that room down the hall from the kitchen.�

   �You mean the room where all the grownups go to get away from us?� Jessica asked.

   Sarah turned to Jessica and nodded.

   �Did Daddy see you?� Wendy asked.

   �I don�t think so,� Sarah replied.

   �Stop asking her so many questions and let her finish telling,� Alex whined.

   All of the girls turned to Sarah again. �Well I kept really quiet, and as I got closer, I could hear Daddy talking, but his voice was really soft so I couldn�t hear what he was saying. I listened really hard, but it didn�t do any good. The door was open a little bit, so I peeked through the opening and I could see Daddy and Patricia sitting at a table talking. Daddy was holding her hand.�

   Alex�s eyes widened. She had a funny feeling inside her tummy. She knew deep down inside that this day would eventually come, but it had come sooner than she had hoped.

   �Ohhh this is so exciting!� Wendy screeched.

   The other girls smiled and agreed with her.

   �Go on, finish your story,� Alex groaned.

   Well I could see them, but I couldn�t hear them very well, so I got on my hands and knees and I crawled into the room.�

   Jessica jumped up. �You did what?� she asked.

   Wendy looked at Jessica �You heard her just the same as we did,� she replied. Wendy then turned her attention back to Sarah. �Keep going,� she ordered. �This is getting good.�

   �Well I crawled on my hands and knees until I got behind this screen with fabric on it, and I sat really still so they wouldn�t hear me.�

   Alex interrupted,� Boy, are you ever in for it when your Daddy finds out you were there eavesdropping on their private conversation.�

   �Be quiet!� Jessica yelled.

   Alex jumped up from the bed and went to sit in the window.�

   �Is she right, Wendy? Am I gonna get a whippen� for listening?�

   �You didn�t get caught did you?� Wendy asked.

   �No, I�m pretty sure they never saw me at all.�

   �Then don�t worry too much about it and tell us what else happened.�

   �Well I stayed really still. I could see them, and now I could hear them.�

   �What were they talking about?� Lynda asked.

   �Well they were sitting at a round table with candles in the middle. Daddy was holding Patricia�s hands, and they both seemed really happy. He kept telling her how much he loved her, and then he got on his knee beside her.�

   All of the girls gasped, and then started to giggle. Everyone except Alex.

   �Why are you all laughing?� Sarah asked.

   Wendy took hold of Sarah�s hands. �It�s very important. What did Daddy do when he was on his knees?�

   �He said something really quiet. I couldn�t hear what he said, but then he gave her a little box, and then Patricia started crying. She said �Yes�, and then they kissed.

   All of the girls jumped up from the bed and they started screeching and dancing around the room. Sarah and Nadia sat there watching them. They didn�t really understand what was going on. Alex slowly slipped out of the room.

   �What�s going on?� Sarah asked, as she jumped up and stood in the middle of the bed.

   The girls tried to calm down a little so they could explain to Sarah and Nadia.

   �All of what you saw and heard means that Daddy and Patricia are getting married,� Jessica said.

   Sarah�s mouth dropped open, and then she fell onto the bed in giggles and fits of happiness. The next several minutes the girls danced around the room as they talked about what kind of a wedding their parents should have. Suddenly, Wendy noticed that Alex wasn�t with them anymore.

   �Hey, you guys. Where is Alex?�

   The girls looked at each other.

   �I don�t think she is too happy about Mark and Mom getting married,� Missy stated.

   �But she likes my dad,� Wendy replied.

   �She doesn�t want him as a dad though,� Missy said.

   �I am going to go and see if I can find her,� Wendy said.

   As the girls continued in their quest to plan the perfect wedding, Wendy searched the bedrooms and bathrooms for Alex. as Wendy headed back toward the room where all of the girls were, she heard some sniffles coming from the linen closet. When she opened the door, Alex was sitting on the floor in the corner wrapped in a blanket. When Alex saw her, she turned away.

   �Go away, and leave me alone!� Alex growled.

   Wendy didn�t pay her any attention. She peeked out into the hall and then closed the door behind her before taking a seat at the back of the closet next to Alex.

   �Aren�t you happy about my dad and your mother getting married?�

   �I don�t want them to get married!�

   �But I don�t understand. I thought you liked my dad.�

   Alex wiped her tears with the handkerchief that Wendy pulled from her pocket. �I do like him, but I don�t want them to get married.�

   �Alex, I don�t understand. Why don�t you want them to get married?�

   Alex looked down at the floor.

   �Come on, we�re best friends and if you can�t tell me why, then who can you tell.�

   Alex looked up at Wendy. She knew they were best friends and if she could tell anyone at all, it would be her best friend. Alex again wiped her tears.

   �If they get married, then Mark will be my father.�

   �I know, but isn�t that a good thing?� Wendy asked.

   �No! It�s a terrible thing.�

   �Alex, I don�t think I understand what you mean. How can having a dad be such a bad thing? It�s not like he is a stranger. I mean he�s even punished you before.�

   Alex�s eyes widened, and she held her breath when Wendy mentioned punishment.

   �Ohhh, now I get it. Are you afraid? Is that why you don�t want a father?�

   Alex shook her head no. �I�m not too terribly afraid, not of Mark, but if he becomes my father, well his scoldings scare me. They aren�t the same as Mother�s. When she scolds me or spanks me, I feel bad for being naughty, but when Mark scolded me that time, I got scared, and if he ever was to have to spank me again, I think I would just scream until I died.� Alex burst into tears.

   Wendy scooted closer to her best friend, and wrapped her arms around her. �Don�t cry. It will be ok.� Wendy waited a few more minutes until Alex calmed down and then she handed her another handkerchief for her eyes. �You don�t have to be so afraid. I think if your mom and my dad want to get married, they should, and if you�re that afraid of being scolded and punished by him, then you should talk to him about it.�

   �I can�t do that!� Alex cried.

   �I think Daddy would be more upset to know that you are afraid, and you don�t tell him.�

   �You think so?� Alex asked.

   �Yes I do. I think after they tell us about them getting married, a few days later, you should tell him and if you want me to go with you, I will.�

   Alex looked at Wendy, and then threw her arms around her.

   �Are you feeling better now?� Wendy asked.

   �I think so. I just don�t know about them getting married.�

   �It will be ok. I promise,� Wendy assured her. �I think we should go back now. Everyone is worried about you,� Wendy stated.

   The girls went back to the room together, and when Wendy shared Alex�s fears with them, they all surrounded her and tried to reassure her that everything would be ok. Just as the girls settled back into their activity, Mark and Patricia came into the room.

   �Well there all of you are,� Mark stated. �We had begun to think all of you flew the coup.�

   �No, we were all just hanging out in here listening to the rain,� Jessica replied.

   �Well it is past bedtime in case none of you have noticed,� Patricia reminded.

   The girls all looked at the clock before jumping up and heading out of the door. As they passed by, they each gave Patricia and Mark a hug. Alex was right behind Wendy but when it was her turn to hug Mark, she chose to pass him by and she only hugged her mother.

   �Alexandra? Don�t you want to say goodnight to Mark?� Patricia asked, as they stood in the doorway. Wendy stood just a few feet away and watched.

   Alex glanced at Mark, and then back to her mother. She shook her head, and then scurried off down the hall toward her room.

   �Well what do you suppose that is all about?� Patricia asked.

   �I have no idea,� Mark replied.

   �Did the two of you have a disagreement of some kind?�

   �No, but she is obviously upset with me for some reason, but I have not the slightest idea what it could be.�

   �Well her disrespect will not be tolerated!� Patricia turned away from Mark, but before she could step away, he took hold of her arm.

   �Why don�t you go and tuck in the others, and I will have a word with her.�

   �I think that would probably be best since the problem seems to be between the two of you.�

   �Did you notice that it looked as though she had been crying?�

   �Now that you mention it, it does look as though she had been crying. You go and talk with her and see if you can find out what the trouble is.�

   Mark turned and looked down the hall. When he didn�t see any children, he pulled Patricia close to him, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her.

   Alex had quickly changed into her pajamas and had already crawled into bed when she heard a knock on the door.

   �Come in.� Missy called.

   Mark opened the door and peeked in. �All decent in here?�

   �Yes, sir,� Missy replied.

   Mark entered the room and closed the door behind him. �Are you all ready for bed?�

   �Yes, sir.�

   Mark pointed to Alex, who lay lifeless under her covers. She had felt better after she and Wendy talked, but hearing Mark�s voice in her room made her feel scared again.

   Missy shrugged her shoulders at Mark. �I have to go and brush my teeth,� she stated. As she approached the door, she motioned for Mark to bend down, and when he did, Missy whispered. �You need to talk to her.�

   Mark nodded, and when Missy closed the door behind her, Mark went to Alex�s bed and took a seat on the edge.

   Alex felt Mark sitting on the edge so she pretended to be asleep.

   �Are you upset with me?� Mark asked, but Alex didn�t reply.

   Mark reached out and placed his hand on the top of the covers. Alex wiggled. �Let�s see, I don�t think we had a fight. Did we have a fight?� Mark asked.

   Alex didn�t answer.

   �Did the grouchy bug bite you?� Mark asked, but still, Alex never responded.

   �Alex, I hate to see you going to bed if there is a problem between us. I think I deserve to know what I have done to make you so angry with me.�

   All of the time Mark was talking, Alex was thinking about how her mother was going to marry him and how he would become her father, and before she could stop herself, the words fell out of her mouth.

   �I don�t want a father!� Alex quickly covered her mouth, but it was too late.

   Mark reached up and pulled back the covers just enough so he could see Alex�s face.

   �Sit up in your bed, and say again what you just said,� Mark ordered.

   Alex knew she had spoken too soon and that she couldn�t take it back. She sat up and looked directly at Mark. �I know you asked my mother to marry you.�

   �And how did you come to know such information?�

   �I can�t tell you how I know.�

   Mark reached over and brushed the hair out of Alex�s face. �I think you had better tell me,�

   �Is it true?� Alex asked. �Are you and my mother really going to get married?�

   �Well, I did ask Patricia to marry me, and she did say yes. But what I am most concerned about is why this news has upset you so. I am assuming since you know, the others must know as well, yet it seems to only be bothering you.�

   Alex looked down at her bed. �Everyone else thinks it�s just wonderful,� she whispered.

   �And you don�t feel the same as they do?�

   �No, I don�t.�

   Mark reached over and placed his hand under Alex�s chin. �I love your mother very much, but it disturbs me greatly to think that my marrying her, makes you so unhappy. I know you love her, so it must be me that you don�t care for.�

   Alex suddenly felt bad. She did like Mark and she didn�t want him to think she hated him. �I don�t hate you. It isn�t that at all. It�s just��

   �Just what, Alexandra?�

   Alex remained silent. She knew that she should tell him like Wendy had suggested, but she was afraid that if she did so, he might not understand and the next time she stepped out of line, she would find herself over her new father�s knee.

   �Alex, I am waiting very patiently for your answer,� Mark scolded.

   Alex suddenly burst into tears. Mark stood up and pulled Alex from her bed and then wrapped his arms around her.

   �What ever it is, I know we can work it out. I hate to see you this unhappy.�

   After a few minutes, Alex finally stopped crying, and Mark let her crawl into bed again. As he took a seat on her bed, he reached out and wiped her tears with his hand. Suddenly, Alex realized just how big Mark�s hands were, and fresh tears ran down her face.

   Mark�s voice was kind. �Alex, would you rather I go and get your mother?�

   Alex sat up straight in her bed. �No! Don�t go and get her. Please don�t tell her,� Alex cried.

   �Well then, I think you should tell me what has gotten you all worked up.�

   Alex reached up and wiped her own tears this time. She took a deep breath and then opened her mouth. �If you and my mother get married, then that will make you my father.�

   �And you don�t think this is a good thing?� Mark asked.

   �Not if I am a bad girl,� Alex whispered.

   Mark squinted his eyes and turned his head to the side, then suddenly he realized what she meant and why she was so upset. Mark leaned over and gave Alex a hug.

   �Ohhh Alex, you�re never a bad girl. Sometimes you misbehave, but you�re not a bad girl.

   �Ok, but if you and my mother get married and you become my father, if I do something wrong, instead of Mommy punishing me, it will be you punishing me, and I don�t want you to punish me. I don�t want to scream until I die!�

   Mark knew this conversation was serious, but it was all he could do to keep from laughing. He never thought he spanked hard enough to cause a child to die from screaming.

   �Well, Alex, I love you, and I already feel like I am your father, and when your mother and I do get married, that doesn�t mean I will take over all of her parental responsibilities. I don�t like to see you so worried over something that you shouldn�t be worried about.� Mark pulled back the covers. �Now snuggle down into your bed and go to sleep. We can talk more about this after your mother and I talk a little.�

   �Do you have to tell her about all of this?� Alex asked.

   �Yes, I think she needs to know how you feel so we can both decide how to handle this situation. Now close your eyes and get some sleep.�

   �Yes, sir.�

   Alex snuggled in under her covers and Mark tucked the blankets in around her. She felt a little better getting all of that off of her chest, but they were still going to get married and that meant that Mark would become her father, and her next spanking would probably come from him. Suddenly she didn�t feel so good. When Alex saw the light go off and then heard the door close, she started to cry.

   Mark told Patricia why Alex was so upset, and also that all of the girls knew about the wedding. Together the two of them talked it over, and came to an agreement on how they would handle the discipline of Alex after they were married. Mark�s next question was how they all found out about them getting married.

   The next morning, Alex dressed for school and then headed down to breakfast with the rest of the girls. They still seemed so happy about the wedding that Alex didn�t have the heart to tell them that she had told about them already knowing.

   �How come you�re so quiet this morning?� Wendy asked.

   �I just don�t feel like being happy,� Alex replied.

   Wendy stepped a little closer to Alex and then placed her arm around her shoulder. �It will be fine, trust me.�

   When they entered the cafeteria, the first thing Alex noticed, was Mark and Patricia chatting as though their pending wedding was still a big secret. She wondered what Mark had said to her mother about their conversation last night. Alex loved her mother and she hoped she hadn�t hurt her feelings. Alex sat and ate her breakfast in silence. As the cafeteria began to clear, Alex noticed that her mother had glanced over at her a couple of times. This made Alex nervous.

   �Alex, come on! Let�s go.� Wendy said.

   Alex picked up her tray and walked with Wendy to the cart and placed her tray in the spot. As they approached the exit of the room, Alex heard her mother call her.

   �Alexandra?�

   Wendy and Alex both stopped and turned toward Patricia. Wendy smiled, but Alex could barely look up.

   �Wendy, if you don�t mind continuing without Alex, I would like to talk to her for a bit.�

   �No Ma�am. I don�t mind.� Wendy glanced at Alex before she turned and walked away.

   Patricia held out her hand. �Mark and I would like to talk to you, so would you come with me please?�

   Alex reached out and took hold of her mother�s hand. As they walked back toward Mark, Alex�s tummy began to tighten. When they reached Mark, he stood and held out his hand for Alex to take, she slowly placed her hand in his and then continued on through the cafeteria and out of the door that led to where all of the adults went, and where no children were allowed.

   �Where are we going?� Alex whispered.

   �Mark and I would like to talk with you privately,� Patricia replied.

   Alex kept quiet. Finally the three of them entered a small room down the hall from the cafeteria. Alex had never seen this room before, nor did she even know it was there.

   Mark released Alex�s hand and let her and Patricia enter the room before him, then he closed the door.

   �Mother, I�m sorry. I didn�t mean anything bad. I swear I didn�t.�

   Patricia pulled Alex close to her and wrapped her arms around her. Alex closed her eyes and let her head rest against Patricia�s chest.

   �You haven�t done anything wrong. Mark and I only want to talk to you about your fears.�

   Patricia let go of Alex. �I want you to take a seat, and listen to what we both have to say.�

   �Yes Ma�am.�

   Alex took a seat on the sofa, next to her mother, and Mark took a seat on the other side of Alex.

   �I told your mother of your fears and of our conversation last night. We have both talked, and we have decided that if you misbehave, your mother will discipline you.�

   Alex�s eyes widened, and she felt relieved.

   �I am not finished.� Mark continued. �We talked and decided that as long as you show respect to your mother, and obey what she says when she punishes you, then there will be no need for me to step in, But, Alexandra, I will step in if I need to. If Patricia comes to me and says that you�re not obeying her, or if you are breaking a punishment that she has given you, as your father, I will punish you.�

   Alex scrunched her face in confusion and in fear. �So if I do something wrong and Mother punishes me, as long as I obey her and don�t be naughty to her, then you won�t punish me?�

   �That�s right, but if I feel you have overstepped your bounds, and if I feel that you are disrespecting your mother or giving her a bad time about your punishment, then I will step in and take care of you myself. Is that understood?�

   �Yes, sir.�

   �Well you are a very good girl and I know you wouldn�t show your mother such disrespect.�

   �Are we done talking now?�

   �For the most part yes, but there is one more thing I would like to know?� Mark stated.

   �What is it?� Alex asked.

   �How did you know we were getting married?�

   Alex looked at her mother. �I can�t tell you how I found out.�

   �Alexandra? Did you eavesdrop on our conversation last night?�

   Alex sat straight. � No Ma�am! I would never do that.�

   �I would like for you to tell me,� Patricia again asked.

   Alex looked down at the floor. Suddenly she felt herself being pulled up from the sofa. When she looked up, it was straight into Mark�s stern eyes.

   �Your mother asked you a question, and you will answer her!�

   �Sarah told us,� Alex whispered

   Mark dropped Alex�s hands and wrinkled up his face. �Sarah?�

   Alex nodded.

   �Well I am waiting to hear the rest!� Mark scolded.

   Alex stood in front of her mother and her soon-to-be new father, and told them about Sarah�s little adventure during his proposal to Patricia.

   �Alex, I thank you for your honesty and for your obedience. I will walk you to your class now, and I would appreciate it very much if you kept this between us for the time being.�

   �Yes�, Sir.�

   Alex hugged her mother and then continued along with Mark as he escorted her to her class.

   �I am sure she meant no harm in telling.� Patricia said to Mark, as they walked through the school.

   �Are you going soft on me, my dear?�

   �Of course not! I just think that Sarah meant no harm.�

   �Well she was certainly in a place that she shouldn�t have been, and she listened in on a very private conversation. It has been a while since she has been reprimanded for bad manners and I think a little reminder at bedtime is just what she needs to set her straight,� Mark said.

   �You�re probably right. Bad manners aren�t something I allow from my children either,� Patricia agreed.

   All throughout the day, Alex couldn�t get Sarah out of her mind. She knew she wasn�t suppose to say anything to Sarah, but she felt bad for getting Sarah into trouble just to save herself. Alex jumped when the bell rang. Her thoughts had pulled her away from what was going on around her. When the teacher dismissed the class, Alex headed down the hall with the intention of going straight to her room, and avoiding all possible chances of running into Sarah. As Alex squeezed through the crowded hall, and headed for the stairs, she felt someone take hold of her sleeve.

   �Where are you going in such a hurry?�

   Alex swallowed, and then turned around. Sarah stood smiling up at her with her big blue eyes.

   �I was just going to my room to do homework,� Alex replied.

   �Can I come with you?� Sarah asked.

   Alex knew that if Sarah came with her, she would wind up telling her everything.

   �No!� Alex yelled, as she turned and continued down the hall.

   Sarah followed her to the stairs. �Alex, why can�t I come with you?�

   Alex�s own guilt began to get the better of her. If she had only kept her mouth shut, Sarah would not be in so much trouble. Alex walked down the stairs toward Sarah. She took hold of her hand and pulled her to the corner of the corridor behind the stairs.

   �Sarah, I didn�t mean to do it. I�m sorry.�

   �Why are you sorry?�

   �Go and find a place to hide, and don�t come out until after bedtime.�

   Sarah looked at Alex with confusion �Alex, why are you sorry, and why do I have to hide?�

   Alex bent down and whispered. �Mark and Patricia know you were in the room. They know you snuck in and listened when he asked Patricia to marry him, and they aren�t happy about it.�

   Sarah swallowed hard, and pulled her hand away from Alex. �You told on me!�

   �I�m so sorry, Sarah, I didn�t want to, but they said I had better tell, or else.�

   Sarah stepped away from Alex. �I�m never telling you anything ever again!� Sarah turned and ran down the hall.

   Alex stood in the corner of the hall behind the stairs, and cried

   Sarah continued down the hall, but she didn�t go upstairs to her room. She didn�t find the nearest closet and hide, like Alex had suggested. Knowing where her father might be, Sarah ran as fast as she could until she reached that place. Hoping he was there, she pushed the door open, and peeked in. Mark was shuffling some papers into a file.

   �Hi Sarah.�

   Sarah ran to Mark and threw her arms around his waist. �I didn�t mean to, Daddy, I swear I didn�t!� She cried

   Mark dropped the file, reached for her arms, and pulled her away. He knelt down to her level and tried to look at her face which was hidden by her long hair.

   �Did Alex talk to you, Sarah?�

   �Yes,� Sarah cried. �I didn�t mean to listen, and I didn�t mean to see either.�

   Mark stood up, and then took hold of Sarah�s hand. She followed as he led her to a small, overstuffed chair. Mark took a seat and pulled Sarah up onto his lap.

   �I want you to stop crying now, so we can talk about this.�

   Sarah did her best to stop crying as Mark brushed her hair back with his hands.

   �That�s better, now shall we talk about this?� He asked.

   Sarah nodded.

   �First of all, I do not think that your listening to a private conversation, was an accident. Patricia and I weren�t anywhere close enough to you for it to be an accident, so it wasn�t, was it?�

   �No, sir.�

   �I was going to save this little talk of ours for when Patricia could be present, but it looks as though that isn�t going to happen. I am disappointed in you, Sarah. You are old enough to know better than to listen in on a person�s private conversation, aren�t you?�

   Sarah looked up at Mark with her big blue eyes and replied. �Yes, sir.�

   �You also know better than to come into this room unless you have permission to do so. Did you hide behind that screen right there?� he asked as he pointed to the other side of the room.

   �I�m sorry, Daddy. I won�t do it again, ever!�

   �Sarah? Did you sit back there and listen?�

   Sarah looked down at her lap. �Yes.�

   �What was that?� Mark asked.

   �Yes, Sir.�

   �Sarah, You were as quiet as a mouse when you sat back there. You knew what you were doing was wrong, didn�t you?

   Sarah looked up at her father with her big blue eyes and pouty lip, and nodded slightly.

   Mark let out a big sigh, slid Sarah from his lap, and guided her around his leg, until she stood beside his knee.

   �Nooooo Daddy!� Sarah cried. She knew what her father was going to do as she wiggled and twisted.

   Mark gave her a little shake. �Sarah! You stop, right this minute!�

   Sarah stopped wiggling, and started to cry. Though Mark was sure her tears were genuine, he knew he couldn�t excuse her behavior.

   Sarah closed her eyes as she felt her feet leave the security of the floor, and her father�s solid legs push into her stomach. She felt her father�s big arm wrap around her, and she felt the fabric of her dress, leave her bottom and lay to rest on her back. Sarah�s cries became more apparent when her soft cotton panties slid over her bottom and down her legs. Through her tears, Sarah thought about her misbehavior that had gotten her into this position. She knew she had done wrong, but she also knew her father wasn�t overly angry. She hoped it meant that this spanking would be a short one, and maybe it wouldn�t hurt as much as ones received in the past.

   The first sting brought Sarah out of her thoughts. Her soft begging cries, turned into a yelp and then a screech. The slap of her father�s hand echoed through the room, and Sarah couldn�t help but jump each time her father�s big hand met her tiny bottom. Sarah felt her bottom begin to heat up and the sting was becoming unbearable. She knew her daddy meant business, and she swore to herself, right then and there, that she would never, ever listen in on a private conversation, or be some place she shouldn�t.

   �Daddyyyyyyy, I�m sorryyyyyyy.� Sarah managed to cry before Mark�s hand landed again.

   Sarah hoped her plea would be enough, but it wasn�t. She hung her head and let her tears fall to the hardwood floor as the lesson continued. Her little bottom bounced each time it was struck, and her little legs followed with a dance of their own.

   Sarah wasn�t even sure when the spanking stopped. Her bottom throbbed so that she didn�t know it wasn�t being struck. She suddenly felt her body moving and then her feet once again met with the floor. Sarah never opened her eyes as she felt her fathers arms wrap around her. She buried her face in her father�s chest and wept heavy sobs of remorse. Sarah reached back with one hand and rubbed vigorously while her other hand stayed squished between her eyes and her father�s chest. Through her cries, she could her a soft voice speaking to her. Now that the spanking was over, she could have her good father back.

   After Mark had calmed Sarah, he escorted her to her room, and then he went to find Patricia. He filled her in on what had just taken place, and then they discussed Alex and her part in all of this.

   �If you don�t mind, I would like to have a word with that young lady,� Mark said.

   �Her behavior isn�t any better than Sarah�s, and I will deal with her in much the same manner as you did with Sarah, but I think a good talking to from you, might help her to remember that when she is asked not to do something, that she had best mind what she is told.�

   Mark smiled, and then gave Patricia a quick kiss.

   Mark walked around the halls of the school in search of Alex. On his way, he stopped and chatted with a child or two. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alex pass with Wendy,and Lizzie.

   Mark�s voice called out in a loud tone �Good afternoon, girls,�

   The three girls stopped and turned toward him.

   �Hi, Daddy,� Wendy replied.

   Mark walked over to the girls and placed his hand on Lizzie�s shoulder. �And how are you today, Lizzie?�

   �I�m just fine, Sir.�

   �I�m happy to hear such wonderful news,� he replied.

   Alex stood next to Lizzie and as Mark�s eyes switched from Lizzie to her, Alex felt flush. She couldn�t look at Mark, knowing that she had broken the promise she had made to him earlier that morning.

   Wendy knew her father�s different expressions, and the one that was pasted on his face at this very moment, she knew something was not right. Wendy knew she hadn�t done anything wrong, and she knew it wasn�t anything Lizzie had done either. Wendy quickly glanced over at Alex.

   �Good afternoon, Alexandra.�

   Alex knew she had to look at him or he would start asking questions. �Good afternoon,� she softly replied.

   �I believe that you and I had a little chat this morning in which you made a promise to me. Do you remember?�

   Alex suddenly felt a little sick to her stomach. Mark knew what she had done.

   Alex cast her eyes to the floor. �Yes�, Sir. I remember.�

   �You do remember?�

   Alex looked up, and nodded.

   �Young lady, I think you and I have a bit of a problem.� Mark looked at Wendy and Lizzie. �If the two of you would excuse us, Alex and I have to have a little talk, again.�

   Wendy took hold of Lizzie and without a word, they scurried away as quickly as they could.

   Alex watched as her two best friends left her alone to face the daddy lion.

   �Alexandra?�

   Alex felt Mark�s hand as he placed it on her shoulder. She slowly turned her head and looked up at him.

   �I asked you not to say anything to Sarah until I had a chance to talk to her, and you gave me your word, then you broke that word and told Sarah to hide in a closet. I would like to know why you would do such a thing.�

   �I don�t know,� Alex replied

   �Yes, Alex, you do know, and I want you to tell me right now, why you did what I asked you not to do.�

   Alex listened to the words as Mark spoke them. She thought she would be afraid, but she wasn�t. This scolding from Mark made her angry, and she didn�t understand why he had the right to scold her like this. Alex didn�t answer him.

   �Alexandra? I�m waiting.�

   �I don�t have anything to say,� she replied.

   �I think you had better go upstairs to your room right this minute,� Mark scolded.

   �You�re not my father, and you can�t tell me what to do!� Alex shouted.

   Shocked by Alex�s disrespectful behavior, Mark took a step forward. �You get upstairs! Now!�

   �I won�t!� Alex shouted.

   Before Mark could respond, both he and Alex heard a familiar voice.

   �Alexandra!�

   Alex looked up just in time to see Patricia walking toward her. �Mother!� Alex suddenly looked at Mark with remorseful eyes, but before she could say another word, or turn to obey, Alex felt her mother grab her by the arm and turn her around.

   Patricia scolded and swatted Alex on the seat of her jumper, all the way to the stairs.

   �You will go to your room this very minute, and wait for me!�

   When she felt her mother let go, Alex ran all the way to the top of the stairs.

   �We have a problem on our hands, Patricia.�

   �We will deal with it, but right now, I am going to deal with her!� Patricia turned and headed for the stairs.

   When Alex reached her floor, she stopped and leaned over the balcony. She could hear her mother�s shoes on the steps. Alex turned and ran down the hall toward her room.

   When Alex burst into the room, Missy jumped. �What�s wrong with you?�

   �I made Mother really mad,� she cried, as she ran to her bed.

   Missy jumped up and went to the doorway. She peeked out into the hall just in time to see her mother appear at the top of the stairs. �Ohhhh my, what did you do?� Missy asked, as she turned and looked at Alex.

   �Why?�

   �Mother has a belt! You better get off of that bed!� Missy stated, as she sat her book on the table and headed out of the room.

   �Missy wait!� Alex jumped up and just about reached the door when her mother appeared. Alex threw her hands back to cover her bottom and took a few steps back.

   Patricia closed the door behind her, and headed for Alex.

   �Ohhh, Mother, Nooo,� Alex cried.

   Patricia took hold of Alex, and turned her around. �You move your hands!� Patricia raised the belt and applied it swiftly, not once, but several times, as Alex danced around between the two beds, while squealing and asking her mother to stop. Finally, Patricia turned Alex around to face her.

   �I am appalled at your behavior, Alexandra, and I intend to set you straight.� Patricia stepped back and took a seat on the bed. �Come here!�

   With tears, and a stinging bottom, Alex took a spot in front of her mother.

   Patricia set the belt on the bed beside her. �I want those panties off and I want you across my knee. We are going to have a lesson in respect and obedience.�

   Alex wiped her eyes and looked at her mother.

   Patricia reached for the belt. �Are you testing me, young lady?�

   Alex kicked off her shoes, quickly reached up under her dress and pulled her panties down. She stepped out of them and then tossed them onto the bed. Patricia reached for Alex�s arm, and Alex put herself across her mother�s knee. Patricia secured her and then lifted Alex�s dress.

   From the first swat and scolding word, Alex knew she had pushed her mother a bit to far this time. She did feel bad for speaking to Mark in such a hurtful way, but her anger had gotten the better of her. Now she so wished she could take it all back. It was not because she lay across her mother�s knee getting the worst scolding of her life, but because she knew deep down that Mark loved her and would make a great father. She was a very lucky little girl. For the second time that day, the wooden floor of Barrington Hall, caught the tears of a truly remorseful child.