| Chapter Three The Key To Trouble |
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| Jacob grabbed Matt�s hand and the flashlight, then lifted it to shine on the keyhole �Would you keep the damn light up before I slap you!� Jacob whispered. �Sorry, but I�m doing the best I can,� Matt whispered back. �Just keep it shining right there.� Jacob scolded. Matt held the light steady while watching down both directions of the hall. �Would you just hurry before someone comes and we both get into trouble!� Jacob wiggled the large paperclip around inside the keyhole, then heard the lock give. Jacob pulled the paperclip out and reached for the knob. �See I told you I could do it!� �I never said you couldn�t I just wanted you to hurry,� Matt replied. Both boys slipped through and closed the door behind them. �Where do you suppose Mr. Parker keeps the extra keys?� Matt asked. �Check the top of his desk and I�ll look in the drawers,� Jacob replied. Both boys busied themselves as they thumbed through all the stuff on the desktop as well as the drawers. Finally Jacob opened the cupboard behind him that sat just behind Mr. Parkers chair. �Oh wow. Would you look in here!� Matt dropped the papers he was holding and scurried over to Jacob. His eyes widened at the sight in the closet. �You don�t think he�d use that on anyone do you?� �Of course he�s used it. Look how worn it is.� Jacob reached into the closet and wrapped his hand around the belt. Chills went down his spine and settled on his bottom. He looked at Matt and gulped. �I think it�s been used a lot. The leather is really soft.� Jacob reached in and took the belt down off the hook. �Holy cow this thing weighs a ton.� �Let me feel it.� Jacob handed the belt to Matt. The weight of the belt made Matt shiver. �Let�s get back to why we came in here,� Jacob reminded. He grabbed hold of the end and hung it back onto the hook. �I�m not so sure we should be in here,� Matt said. Jacob ignored Matt and opened the other door to the closet. Matt and Jacob both smiled in satisfaction. Hanging on the other door were several sets of keys. �Hold up the flashlight so I can find the one to the outside kitchen door.� Matt held up the flashlight and Jacob searched through the keys. �I got it!� he cried. �There�s several so he won�t notice just one missing.� Jacob closed the door with the keys then grabbed for the other door. Both boys stopped and stared at the old worn leather belt that hung on the hook. �I don�t know why, but that thing scares me,� Jacob whispered. �You think we could ever do anything wrong enough to make Mr. Parker whip us with that?� Matt asked. �Were broke into his office to steal a key to the school. You can bet that would be enough to earn such a whippen, so you better not let on that we�ve even been out of our rooms or you can bet if we get that used on us, we won�t sit for the rest of our lives.� Matt gulped at the thought. He reached up and closed the closet, returning the well worn belt to it�s hiding place. �I wish never to see that thing again,� he whispered. �Don�t worry, we won�t.� The boys turned out the flashlight as they approached the office door. They both placed their ears to the door and listened. The hall sounded quiet. Jacob opened the door with caution, then stuck his head out. There wasn�t a sole in sight. Jacob slipped out first, then Matt. They let the door close behind them then ran for the front door of the school. They slipped through the front door and disappeared into the darkness. Two hours later, Matt stood shivering at the back door of the school while Jacob searched his pocket for the key. �Did you loose it?� �No I�ve got it don�t worry.� A minute passed, then Jacob pulled the key out and held it up toward the light of the moon. Matt smiled. He couldn�t wait to be inside the warm school and his toasty bed. Jacob slipped the key into the lock and clicked the door open. The boys took off their shoes and carried them as they made their way through the kitchen and into the cafeteria. The moon gleamed through the large windows that lined the wall of the cafeteria and lit up part of the room. Jacob jumped when he caught sight of two shadows on the far wall. Heart pounding, he took off for the main door that led into the hall. Unsure as to why his room mate chose to run, Matt followed close behind. They ran down the hall, up the two flights of stairs and toward their room. Suddenly Jacob felt someone grab his shirt and pull him to a stop. Then Matt felt someone grab him. Both boys started squirming. �Stop it you two!� David whispered as he turned the boys around and pushed them into his room. �Nathan sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes as the two boys stumbled into the room. David closed the door and flipped on the light. �What�s going on?� Nathan asked. �That�s what I�d like to know. Where you two been?� �We went to get something to eat.� Jacob stated. David grabbed Jacob by the shirt collar. You�re in your uniforms and you�re carrying shoes. Now where you two been?� Jacob and Matt remained silent. David grabbed his little brother Jacob and pinned him to the floor. �Do I have to pound it out of you?� Jacob held his own and threw his hands up to keep David from smacking him. �Stop it! Stop it! Matt cried. �We went to the cemetery.� �Well why didn�t ya say so dumb shit! I wouldn�t have had to thrash you.� David climbed off of Jacob and pulled him to his feet. How did you get back into the school. I know they do checks on the doors.� �We have a key!� Matt beamed. Jacob turned and cast a look of disapproval. �You have a big mouth.� David looked at Jacob. �Hand it over!� �What? No!� �You heard what I said. Give it up little brother.� Jacob stood and faced David. He wasn�t about to hand over the key he worked and risked everything to get. �No!� �Get out of my room, the both of ya,� David yelled. He opened the door and shoved the boys into the hall. David stood in the door and smiled, then with all his strength, he slammed the door. The sound echoed down the hall. Matt and Jacobs eyes widened. They knew if a hall monitor were anywhere close by, it would only be seconds before he would appear. Jacob and Matt took off down the hall. They pushed open the door and quietly closed it behind them. In the darkness of their room, they peeled off their shirts and kicked off their pants, then jumped into bed. A couple minutes later, they heard their bedroom door open. The light from the hall peeked in, then darkness filled the room again. �That was damn close,� Matt whispered. �Yeah, but the cemetery sure was fun wasn�t it?� �Think we could go again?� Matt asked. �Yeah we can go again, but I think we might have to do something about David first or he might get us licked.� �You should have given him the key.� �And you should have kept your mouth shut.� The room fell silent. When fear had passed in it�s own time, the boys fell fast asleep. The next morning Jacob and Matt avoided David the best they could. It was Saturday morning and everyone had chores to keep them busy. After breakfast, the boys busied themselves with the raking of leaves. They knew their dad had gone into town on business and expected much to be done by the time he returned. �So Nathan. How bad a whippen you think dad will give these two babies for sneaking out last night?� Jacob and Matt turned and looked at David and Nathan. They had made themselves comfy against a tree just a couple feet away from where Jacob and Matt were raking leaves. �Well I think dad wouldn�t be to happy to know they snuck out, not to mention wonder where they got that key.� �Well I only know of one place where the keys are kept and that�s the Principals office. If you got that key from there you might as well kiss your asses goodbye.� Shut up David,� Jacob yelled. �I�m just messing with you, but seriously, if you took a key from old man Parkers office, you�re both dead. If you give it to me, then I�ll take care of it for you and you won�t have to worry about getting caught.� Jacob stopped raking leaves and stared at David. �Give him the key!� Matt cried. Jacob reached into his pocket and felt for the key. All the trouble he had gone too to get it and the risks he took waffled through his mind. Why should I give this key to David he thought. It�s not like he�s going to give it back or anything. Jacob let go of the key and it returned to the bottom of his pocket. �If you plan on thrashing me, then go ahead, but you can�t have my key!� Since he and Matt were just 10 and 11, Jacob knew he couldn�t fight off someone as big and old as David so he stood there and waited for the beating to begin. David threw his hands in the air and waved the boys away. �I won�t even waste my time beating you. I just wanted to help you,� David replied. He and Nathan turned and walked away. �You�re on your own.� �You think maybe he did want to help us?� Matt asked. �You know a few months ago I would have given David the key, but he�s changed now and I don�t think he was gonna help us. I think he wanted the key for himself.� �Maybe but now we have to worry.� �About what?� �Jacob, he knows how we got it and where we go at night. I still think he�s gonna thrash on you.� Jacob stopped raking again and looked toward the school. He wondered if he shouldn�t sneak the key back into Mr. Parkers office and pretend the whole thing never happened. Jacob and Matt put the key on a rubber band then hid the key inside Jacob�s bedpost where no one would find it. They went to school the following week and when they felt all was safe, they snuck out of the school and ran all around the cemetery just a mile from the school. They entered through the back kitchen door and crept through the cafeteria each night when they returned. David had been waiting and watching. He saw them leave by the front, then return through the back door. He watched them, tiptoe up the stairs and crawl into their beds. On Friday night David lay awake until he heard the two boys sneak out. He sat up and read a book until just before their return. He snuck down the hall and crept into Jacob and Matt�s room. He stood in the darkness of one corner and he waited. Jacob and Matt entered their room, pealed off their clothes and hopped into bed. Unaware they had a visitor, Jacob took off the top of his bedpost and placed the key in. He wrapped the rubber band around the post, then replaced the top. He snuggled into his bed and fell fast asleep. David opened the door and entered the hall and with a smile, returned to his own bed. The following day while much activity took place, Jacob and Matt made plans for another outing. Today they noticed David wasn�t lurking as he usually did. They were happy he had finally given up on them. After the school quieted down and all the lights had gone out for the night. Jacob and Matt crawled from their beds, dressed, grabbed the key from it�s hiding spot and made their way out the front door. They hit the cemetery, then decided to wander into town. When they finally climbed the backstairs to the kitchen, they were exhausted. Jacob reached into his pocket and pulled out the key. He slid the key into the keyhole, but the lock did not open. Jacob looked at Matt in a panic. �It won�t open the door!� �What do you mean it won�t open the door? It worked before so open it now!� Matt cried shaking with fear. Jacob wiggled the key and wiggled the knob, but the door wouldn�t open. �It�s not working!� he cried. �Let me try,� Matt replied. Jacob took the flashlight from Matt then handed him the key. �Shine the light on the keyhole,� Matt ordered. Jacob did what he was asked and placed the light on the keyhole. Matt placed the key in the hole and wiggled frantically. He yanked the key from the hole and grabbed the flashlight from Jacob. �This isn�t the same damn key that we took from Mr. Parkers office,� Matt cried. Jacob grabbed the key from Matt and held it up to the light. Matt was right. This key was silver colored and the one they had taken from Mr. Parkers office was gold colored. The keys had indeed been switched. Matt turned and plunked himself down on the steps. �What do we do now?� he cried. �We wait until the cook arrives at six and lets us in.� �That�s hours from now. I�m freezing and I�m tired. I want to go to bed.� Matt cried. �The church! We can hang out in the church until the cook comes.� The boys jumped up and ran for the church. The front was locked, but they knew the back door was always left open just incase of emergencies. The two boys jumped up and down when the warmth of the church covered their cold shaking bodies. Matt sat down on one of the pews. �How did we get a different key?� he asked. �Only one person knew we had a key to the back door.� �David?� Matt asked. Jacob nodded. �I told you when he asked for the key you should have given it to him. Now he has it and we�re locked out. He�s got a plan to get even and when it�s all done We�re the ones that�s gonna get whipped. Not him.� Matt slumped over onto the bench and cried. �It�s ok. We will take turns sleeping and when we hear the cook drive in, we will sneak in the back and hope she don�t see us. Then we will just do what ever David wants so he won�t tell dad what we been doing.� �You do what ever David wants. I wanted you to give him the key,� Matt cried. �I�m sorry Matt, but I think David�s gonna torture both of us.� Matt looked at Jacob. He couldn�t believe David could be so mean to them. What was he trying to do? �You sleep first and I�ll stay awake, �Jacob suggested. Matt curled up on the bench in front of Jacob and before long, slumber took over. Jacob sat there and listened to his friend snoring. Soon he joined him in slumber. Matt slowly woke and stretched his arms above his head. When his eyes opened, the first thing he saw was the pulpit in which the minister led Sunday services from. Everything came back to him. He sat up and quickly looked around the room. He jumped up and leaned over the back of the bench and shook Jacob with all his strength. �Wake up Jacob. Wake up!� Jacob sat up and looked around the church. �What are we doing out here?� �Don�t you remember anything?� �Ohhh no,� Jacob cried. �What time is it?� Matt stood up and ran out of the sanctuary. He ran into the entrance of the church, turned and looked at the clock. �They�re eating breakfast!� he shouted. Dad�s gonna skin us alive.� Jacob jumped up and ran to Matt. Together the boys ran through the church and out the back door. They weaved in and out of the trees until they got close enough to the school to scurry along its walls. The boys knew there was no way in through the front without passing by the large cafeteria windows. They scurried back around to the back door. This time the door stood open and the boys slipped inside. They walked through the pantry and into the kitchen. The kitchen workers stared at the boys but said nothing. The cook picked up a large white spatchula and shook it at the boys. �Get yourselves out of here before I whallop you both.� The boys ran from the kitchen and entered the serving line area. They could see most of the tables were filled and only a few kids remained in line. �Look around for Dad and Mr. Parker, then slip into line,� Jacob whispered. They two boys looked around the room. Mr. Parker was nowhere and their dad was seated at a table with Wendy, Jessica, Alex, Sarah, Nadia, David, Nathan and Patricia. �Go now!� Jacob barked. The two boys slipped from behind the serving line and took a place in line for food. The boys moved along for a couple minutes, but continued to watch the table where their dad was seated. Suddenly the boys felt someone grab them by the shirt collars, yank them from the line and start to head for the door. �Hey owe! Matted yelled. �Let go!� Matt and Jacob both turned to see who had clutched onto them. Matt quickly shut his mouth. They were being escorted closer to their fathers table by Mr. Parker himself. Several kids stopped talking and stared at the two as they passed by their tables. David looked up just in time to see the three as they approached. �Mr. Parker has Matt and Jacob.� David squealed.� Mark stood, then turned his attention to Mr. Parker and his two boys. When Mr. Parker came with in reach, he handed Matt over to Mark. �You get what you can out of that one and I�ll deal with this one.� he ordered. The boys stared at David as they passed by. David smiled. His look told both the boys, he had indeed gotten even. Mark clutched onto Matt�s neck and the two men walked out of the cafeteria. �What do you suppose that�s all about?� Wendy asked. �Those two have been sneaking out and staying out all night,� David offered. �How do you know?� she asked. �Because I caught them sneaking back in. I told them they would get caught but they didn�t believe me.� Nathan snickered. David socked him in the arm. �Oww, what was that for?� �You told didn�t you?� Wendy screeched. �How could you do that to them!� �They�re getting a bit to big for their britches so they got it coming to em, and I hope they get it good!� David stood and left the table. �Nathan, why did he do that?� Jessica asked. �I don�t know anything.� Nathan stood and left as quick as he could. �He knows something and I intend to find out.� Wendy growled. �I think you should stay out of it, besides, it don�t matter how Dad and Mr. Parker found out. If they were sneaking out, they deserve to be in trouble,� Jessica replied. Wendy turned and stared out the door of the cafeteria. She wondered where her dad and Mr. Parker had taken them. Matt struggled to keep his balance as his father pulled him down the hall in the opposite direction. Matt watched as Jacob disappeared around the corner with Mr. Parker�s hand around the back of his neck and his other hand clutched to his young friends trousers. Matt knew he was indeed the lucky of the two. �Turn around here and watch where you�re going!� Mark scolded. Matt turned and let himself be led into the detention room. Mark pulled out a chair and with a tug from his father, Matt fell into the chair. Mark let go, then paced back and forth. Matt watched but kept silent. Sometimes his dad looked angry, but sometimes the look on his face seemed more troubled. Mark finally stopped in front of Matt�s chair. �You care to tell me what the two of you have been doing at night?� Matt shook his head. �Mark placed his hand on the table and leaned over him. �I�ve been told the two of you have been sneaking out and staying out until all hours, then sneaking back into the school. I will consider not thrashing the seat of your britches if you tell me the truth young man!� Matt gulped. He knew he should tell if he wanted to avoid what had been threatened, but not knowing what Jacob would want, he kept silent. Mark stood up. �Well it looks as though you made your choice.� he reached for the buckle on his belt. Matt cringed and shouted. �Ok ok I�ll tell!� Mark let the buckle go. �If I have to reach for it again, you�ll wish I hadn�t. Now start talking.� Matt told his father they had gone out through the kitchen door, ran around in the cemetery and made a trip in to town, but that they didn�t steal anything, destroy anything or burn anything down. �We just wandered around in the dark, that�s all.� Matt watched his father and hoped he didn�t ask anymore questions. Matt knew Jacob would never confess to breaking into the principals office and stealing a key. He just knew Jacob never would. �Is that everything?� Matt nodded. �You stay in that seat. Do not move.� Mark scolded. He turned and left the room. Mr. Parker continued to hold Jacob by the neck and the pants until they entered his office. He then let go and pointed to a chair. Jacob quickly took a seat. Being inside this office made him really nervous. �Do you know what happens when you break the rules around here young man?� �You get punished,� Jacob whispered. �Knowing that, you still chose to sneak out and run around until all hours of the night?� �We didn�t do anything wrong. We just went exploring in the dark. I know we broke the rules by leaving, but we got locked out last night. It was cold in the church. We learned our lesson when we got locked out. We won�t do it again.� Before Mr. Parker could speak, he heard a knock. �Come in.� Mark entered and shut the door behind him. Jacob looked up at his father. He wondered if he studied his fathers face if he would be able to tell what Matt had told him. He watched as his father leaned over and whispered into Mr. Parkers ear. �You know what?� I�m not going to wait for a confession from these two. They broke the rules and they�re both going to be punished. Go get young Matt and bring him in here. We will get to the bottom of this once and for all.� Shivers ran down Jacob�s spine. He knew Mr. Parker was mad and he knew both he and Matt were about to pay for their nights of fun. Jacob watched his father disappear through the door. His eyes widened when Mr. Parker yanked him from the chair, led Jacob to a corner, turned him around and stuck him in. Not thinking, Jacob turned his head slightly to see what Mr. Parker was doing. He suddenly felt himself being pulled from the corner. Before he could say a word, he was bent over and two swift swats were applied. Then he was turned upright and placed back in the corner. �Don�t you turn around again!� Jacob held as still as he could. The swats weren�t enough to make him cry, but they reassured his fear in what was to come. A couple minutes passed when he heard the door open again. Jacob didn�t move. He heard scuffling, two swats, then Matt yelp. �Jacob come take a seat.� Jacob turned from the corner at Mr. Parkers order and slid into the seat next to Matt. He was wiping away tears and sniffles. Jacob looked at Mr. Parker, then he looked at his father. We�re in deep trouble, he thought. �Do I have your attention now?� �Yes sir.� Jacob answered. �Yes sir,� Matt cried. �I know all about the two of you sneaking out of the school, but that�s the least of your worries.� Matt and Jacob watched as Mr. Parker walked around and stood in front of them. He reached in his pocket and took out a shiny gold key attached to a rubber band. He held up the key so both boys could see it. �This was found lying on the desk in your room. It goes to the back door that leads into the kitchen. What I want to know is how the two of you wound up with it? Matthew slid down into his chair and placed his face on his arm to hide his shame. Jacob sat there staring at the key that dangled from the rubber band and wondered how he was going to get the two of them out of this mess. Wendy followed Nathan out of the cafeteria and into the courtyard. �I know you did something and if you don�t tell, I�m going to tell Daddy!� Nathan turned around. �I didn�t do anything so stop following me!� �No. I�m going to follow you everywhere until you tell me what David did to get Matt and Jacob in trouble.� Nathan stopped and leaned up against a tree. �Look Wendy, I didn�t have anything to do with them two getting into trouble. They snuck out and they got caught. David tried to tell them to give him the key and he�d take care of it, but they wouldn�t have no part in it.� �What key?� Wendy asked. �David said that Matt and Jacob picked the lock to Mr. Parkers office and took a key to the back door. David was going to get it back but they wouldn�t let him help. David got mad and night before last, he snuck in, took it and put another key in its place so they would be locked out and get caught.� Wendy turned and started to run for the school. Nathan ran and grabbed her by the arm. �You can�t say anything. I doubt Dad or Mr. Parker know about the key. David just took it so they�d get locked out. If you go and say anything, Mr. Parker will skin them alive.� Wendy looked at Nathan, then at the ground. �Do you think their going to get whipped for sneaking out?� �I don�t know. Mr. Parker looked pretty pissed if you ask me. It�s best that he don�t find out about the key or they will really get it.� �You�re right. I just can�t believe David would be so mean.� Wendy and Nathan slowly entered into the school and headed back down the hall. �Sit up straight and look at me young man!� Mr. Parker yelled. Matt scooted back up and stared at the key. He then looked over at Jacob. �I want to know what�s going on in this school and I want to know now! Mr. Parker slammed his fist down on the desk. Jacob and Matt jumped. Matt spoke softly. �We wanted to run around, but we didn�t want to get locked out, so we got a key to get back in.� �Where did you get this key?� Jacob and Matt looked at each other. When Jacob turned his head back toward Mr. Parker, he had already unbuckled his belt and had it most of the way out. Jacob threw his feet into the chair, jumped up and jumped over the back. Matt had pulled his feet in and wrapped his arms around his legs. His eyes were on his brother Jacob. Suddenly he felt himself being pulled from the chair. He turned just in time to see Mr. Parker raise his belt. �Noooooo,� Matt cried, then turned his head away. �Dad stop!� Mark yelled. �What!� Mr. Parker asked. �Look at them Dad. Something isn�t right about this.� Mr. Parker looked down at Matthew. His eyes showed great fear, not remorse. Mr. Parker lowered his arm and let go of Matthews arm. �Boys come here!� Mark called with a firm tone. Matt rubbed his arm and walked around the chair to his father. Making sure he kept his distance from Mr. Parker. Jacob did the same. Both boys stood before Mark. �I have no doubt you�re aware you�ve done something wrong and that you have to be punished. All be it, sneaking around in the middle of the night is against the rules, you won�t be the first boy to do so. I think the two of you had best speak up and I think you should do it now boys. Jacob looked at his father, then to Mr. Parker. With shaky voice, he whispered. �I picked the lock on your door with a paperclip. We took the key from that cupboard. I tied the rubber band around it and hid it in my bed post. I didn�t leave it on the desk but I think I know how it got there.� Mr. Parker leaned up against his desk and sat the belt down next to him. �I�m listening boys.� Jacob and Matt told Mr. Parker and their father everything about David and his thrashing them. About Nathan watching it all and that David knew about the key and threatened to get them if they didn�t turn it over. Mark confirmed by saying it was indeed David that had come to him about Matt and Jacob not being in their rooms that morning and that he found the key when he went to check on the boys. �Sounds like that boys getting a bit to big for his britches. I will take care of young David myself, but as for the two of you, I�m sure you�ve learned a valuable lesson. Picking the lock on my door, taking things from my office and sneaking around all hours of the night can�t be tolerated by any child here. I�m sorry I frightened you and I�m sorry for my behavior in dealing with the both of you, but the fact still remains you broke into my office. I should thrash both your bottoms so you don�t sit for a week but I�m not going to. I acted in haste so I�m going to let your father deal with you. I�m sure he will be fair.� �Thank you Mr. Parker,� Jacob said. �Thanks for listening to us.� Jacob and Matt both looked at Mark. �I want both of you to go up to your rooms. I�ll be up in a few minutes.� Jacob and Matt scurried out of the office and down the hall as quickly as they could. �Do you think he�s gonna take the belt to us still?� Matt asked. �I think we deserve it don�t you?� �He might whip us, but I�m never admitting that I deserve one.� �I won�t either, but if that�s what Dad decides to do with me, I�m going to take it like a man!� Jacob exclaimed. �Me too!� Matt murmured. The two boys entered their room and closed the door behind them. As Mr. Parker and Mark left his office, Wendy and Nathan approached. �Daddy?� Wendy called Mr. Parker and Mark stopped just outside the office door but before Wendy could speak, Mr. Parker placed his hand on Nathan�s shoulder. �Young man, lets step into my office and have a little chat.� Nathan�s eyes widened but he went without a fuss. Mark reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder. �What do you know about all of this?� �I know I shouldn�t stick my nose where it don�t belong but Daddy, there�s more to this than you know.� �Wendy we know all about the key.� Wendy�s eyes widened. Her dad told her what they had found and told her not to worry, they knew the truth. A few minutes later, Mr. Parker and young Nathan emerged. Nathan�s eyes were filled with tears. Wendy hadn�t remembered hearing a spanking taking place. �Go straight to your room.� Mr. Parker ordered upon releasing his arm. �If I find out you did anything but, I�ll tan that hide of yours.� Mr. Parker looked down at Wendy, who was still standing close to her father. He raised his brow. �Don�t you have something to do young lady?� �Ohh uhh yes I do.� Realizing they needed to talk adult stuff, Wendy scurried away to catch up with Nathan and find out what happened inside that office. Mark and Mr. Parker walked and talked. He filled Mark in on some of the missing details that Jacob and Matt couldn�t have known. Mr. Parker said he would take care of young Mr David, and Mark headed upstairs to deal with his two young sons. Jacob sat in the window and stared out into the fields that lay beyond the grounds of the school. Matt lie curled up on his bed waiting. When they heard the rattle of their knob, they both turned their attention to the opening door. Matt gulped as his dad entered. He didn�t feel so much like a man and if his dad decided to thrash his bottom a bit, he didn�t know if he would be able to take it like a man either. Jacob turned and let his feet dangle over the edge of the window seat and watched his father. Mark closed the door behind him and took a chair from one of the desks. He placed it between the beds and took a seat. �Jacob, come sit by your brother.� Jacob jumped up and planted himself next to Matt. �I�m disappointed. Truly disappointed in the both of you.� Matt let his head hang in shame. Jacob continued to look at his dad. �We won�t sneak out anymore,� Jacob stated. �No Jacob. It�s not the running around and exploring at night that has gotten you in to so much trouble. It is against the rules to do so, but I do understand about boys and exploring at night. I�m not going to punish you for that.� �You�re not?� matt asked. �Not for exploring, although it is something you should get permission to do before you do it. No more school night outings.� Jacob looked over at Matt. �He�s still going to whip us though.� He looked back at his dad. �For the lies, and for breaking into Mr. Parkers office and taking that key. For the whole mess. Right?� �I hope you know it�s not something I want to do, but I hope you understand why I have to.� Matt looked down at the floor. The man in him was slowly disappearing with each of his fathers words. Jacob stood up from the bed. I know I screwed up and I know I deserve to be whipped.� Mark stood up and put his hand on Jacobs shoulder, he reached over and placed his other hand on Matt�s head. �I love both you boys. I want you two to remember that always.� Mark pulled his hands back and reached for his belt. Jacob stood straight and never took his eyes off his father. Matt�s eyes filled with tears as he heard the clang of the buckle. The man had abandoned him and the little boy had returned. He sat completely still and never looked up. Tears fell from his cheeks and landed on his pant legs. Mark took hold of the buckle in his left hand and wrapped the belt around. With his right hand he moved the chair back toward the door. He turned and looked At Jacob. �Son!� he said, then pointed to the chair. Jacob looked over at Matt and touched the top of his head as he walked by. He took the few steps, then stopped in front of the chair. His father stood just to the right of him. Jacob took one last look at the belt as it dangled from his fathers left hand. Take it like a man he told himself. He took a deep breath, bent forward and grabbed the seat of the chair. �You will each get ten,� Mark said. Mark took hold of the back of Jacobs pants, then raised the belt. Jacob jumped when the first swat landed. He gritted his teeth and pursed his lips together so no sound could escape. The second landed. Jacob dropped his head and his knees buckled just a little, but Mark had hold of his trousers. Jacob straightened his legs and squeezed the sides of the chair. The sting of the belt was terrible. Take it like a man he reminded himself. Mark raised the belt again and gave it a good swing. Jacob pursed his lips together, but a small moan of pain escaped. Mark raised the belt again and gave him two quick strikes. �Owwww,� Jacob cried. Tears had formed and fallen onto the chair. Take it like a man Jacob cried to himself. Mark lifted the belt and landed it again, then again. Though he tried his hardest, swat six and seven broke through and Jacob began to cry out loud, still he kept his composure and never let go of the chair. Mark brought the belt down again. �Owwww Dad.� Jacob wailed, then hung his head again. The seat of the chair became a big blur. The sound of his pain filled the room as Mark finished with the last two swats. When Mark let go of Jacob�s trousers. Jacob slowly stood and turned toward his father, he swiped the sleeve of his shirt across his face and wiped away the tears before looking up. �I did good. I had it coming and I took it like a man!� he cried, then wiped fresh tears from his face. Marks eyes widened. He had no idea, but understood. He reached over and touched Jacob on the shoulder. �Son I�m proud of you for owning up and taking your punishment.� Mark looked over at Matt. His head hung to the floor. Mark felt bad for he knew Matt wasn�t going to be able to do what Jacob had done, still he would give him the chance to do so before taking control of the situation. �Matthew?� he called. Matt slowly looked up. He saw his father standing there with belt in hand. Jacob stood close by rubbing the seat of his pants and wiping away more tears. Matt knew he wasn�t going to be able to be a man like Jacob. Jacob walked to his bed and slowly laid down on his side. Matt remained seated. �Get yourself over here son!� Mark scolded. Matt slowly stood and took little steps as if it would delay the punishment by centuries. When he got close enough for Mark to reach, he took hold and pulled Matt in front of the chair. �Bend over and take hold of the seat.� He ordered. Matt looked down at the seat and started to bend over. I can�t do it!� he cried. He stood up and let his head hang in shame. �Matthew look at me son.� Matthew turned his head up and his body followed. Mark reached over and lifted Matt�s chin. �Son, the sooner we get this taken care of the sooner we can put it behind us. All will be forgiven and this day won�t be mentioned again. Though I will sometimes be disappointed, I will always love you. Now I think we had best get this over with don�t you?� Matt nodded, then turned toward the chair. Mark gave Matt a minute to compose himself. �Bend over and take hold of the seat son,� he again ordered. Matt stared at the chair but he couldn�t bring himself to obey his father. He did not want to get this whipping and he didn�t want to be a man. With patience at their last, Mark took hold of Matt�s arm and pulled him away from the chair, took a seat and pulled Matt across his knees before Matt could struggle away. He quickly secured his sons legs with his own, then took hold of Matt�s left hand and secured it to his side. Matt�s cries of fear filled the room. �Nooooooo.� With his son secured, Mark lifted the belt and let it fall. �Owwwww,� Matt wailed. Mark lifted the belt again and again and again. He took no break between swats like he had with Jacob. With each lick of the belt, Matt yelped and cried, threw his head back, then let it hang. He kicked at the hardwood floor with the tips of his shoes and tried with all his might to wiggle free. The licks had come so quickly and the sting set his bottom ablaze. Matt didn�t even know when the tenth lick from the belt had come. He lay over his fathers knee wailing like a baby. Not a man at all. Mark gave Matt a few minutes across his knee and waited for his cries to calm. �Matthew?� With voice still filled with tears, he answered. �Yes sir?� When Matt answered, Mark helped the boy from his lap. Mark stood and pointed to the chair. �Put this back at your desk son,� he ordered. Matt obeyed, then returned to his father. His cries still filled the room and both his hands were rubbing his stinging throbbing bottom. He looked up at Mark. �I�m only ten. I�m not a man!� he cried, then hung his head in shame. Mark placed his hand under Matt�s chin. �There is no shame in taking a licking across my knee. Do you understand?� Matt shook his head no. Jacob was very brave to take his punishment the way he did, but if the two of you were indeed men, then there would be no need for a whipping at all. He owned up to his wrong doing his way, and you did the same with yours. Matthew, there is no shame in getting whipped across my knee, you�re still just a boy and that is certainly fine to be just a boy. Understand?� Matt nodded. His cries subsided a little for he didn�t feel like such a failure. He was indeed glad Mark was his father. Jacob lay listening. He knew Mark was right. They had both owned up to their wrong in their own ways. When Mark left, Jacob and Matt lay silent. Each in their own thought of the days events. Footsteps were heard in the hall outside their door, then the slamming of a door just down the hall echoed past their door. Jacob sat up and looked at the door. �I wonder what happened with David?� he asked. Matt lay sprawled across his bed on his tummy with both arms dangling from each side of his bed. �My bottom really stings,� he cried. �It only stings the most right when it happens. After that the pain starts to die, then it turns warm like you sat on a heating pad or something.� Matt lifted his head and looked at Jacob. �Is that suppose to be a good feeling?� �I think a better feeling than when you get the first lick. It means it�s almost over from hurting so I think that is a good thing.� �And I think your nuts!� Matt cried. Just as Jacob started to speak, a knock came to their door. �Come in,� Jacob yelled. The door opened and Ricky entered. �Boy you two look like shit!� he said. �I have something that might make you feel a little better. Come with me.� The two boys crawled from their beds and headed for the door. �I heard what happened to you two. Did your dad whip you bad?� �Not to bad,� Jacob answered. �Speak for yourself!� Matt replied. �How did you know?� Jabob asked. �Wendy said you were in trouble and asked if I�d come check on you two. I came up earlier, but, well it sounded like you were a bit busy so I figured I better knock later.� �What did you want to show us?� Matt asked. �Wendy told me what he did to you two so I thought you�d want to know I saw David going to his room a few minutes ago and I just saw your dad and Mr. Parker go in.� As the boys came closer to David�s room, they could hear Mr. Parkers voice. He was talking, but not loud enough to make out what was being said. They could hear David clearly. He was arguing and talking back to Mr. Parker. Suddenly they heard Mr. Parker plain as day. �That is enough young man! �You�ve gotten just a bit to big for those britches of yours, and I intend to take care of that right now.� Matt looked at Jacob and Ricky with wide eyes. He smiled a little smile and whispered. �Give it to him good.� Jacob and Ricky looked at Matt in surprise. �A little hostile are we?� Ricky asked. Before Matt could answer, scuffling came from the other side of the door, then they heard the sound of a belt as it made contact with a very deserving bottom. �Owwww Shit!� David yelled. It had been a very long time since he was on the receiving end of one of Mr. Parkers whippings. The boys stood and leaned toward the door. They heard David yell. They heard the belt land again, then they heard scuffling. The boys jumped away from the door. �Bend over!� Mr. Parker ordered. �No!� David yelled. Words stopped and the boys heard scuffling again. They quickly leaned away from the door, then back. �No! No!� David yelled. The three boys leaned closer to the door. When the belt landed again, they could tell by the sound it made and the yelps from David, Mr. Parker had gotten the best of him and he was getting his whipping on his bare bottom. David squinted his eyes and dug his fingers into the wood on his desk every time the belt landed. The sting from the belt made David cry out with each swat. Tears fell from his cheeks and ran into his mouth. Mr. Parker raised the belt again and let it fall onto an already reddened and striped bottom. �Owwwwww shit no!� David yelled. Mr. Parker continued. �When I tell you to do something, you had best do it boy!� Mr. Parker scolded. His arm kept in repetition. David�s yelps and wails did the same. �No more! I�m sorry,� he cried. �please!� he begged. �I�m sorry!� Mr. Parker stopped and waited. �What are you sorry about David. David stayed across the desk, but he couldn�t answer. His tears and cries filled the room. �Everything.� he cried. �I�m sorry for everything.� �Well I hope you are young man because we are going to have a long talk after I�m finished here. Now move that hand away.� Reluctantly David slid his hand away. �I�m sorry,� he cried. �I�ll tell Matt and Jacob I�m sorry. Just don�t. .� Mr. Parker whacked David�s bottom with the belt again. �Owwwwww,� he cried. �I said to keep that hand away!� David moved it quickly, then gritted his teeth. Mr. Parker gave David five more licks, then stopped. David lay across the desk sobbing. His pants down around his ankles. He waited for Mr. Parker to speak. �Get up David and pull up your pants.� David pushed himself from the table, bent slowly down and reached for his trousers. �Owwww,� he cried when his pants rubbed over his throbbing bottom. He couldn�t look at either man. Jacob, Ricky and Matt leaned closer to the door. They could only make out David�s cries. The conversation had gotten to quiet for them to hear. �I think Mr. Parker is done. We should go.� Matt whispered. �In a few minutes.� Ricky replied. David turned and faced Mr. Parker and his father. He admitted picking on Matt and Jacob and he admitted to locking them out of the school and he admitted to telling so they would get into trouble. �Before the night is over, I think as their older brother, you should go and talk to them.� Mark suggested. �Yes sir I will,� David replied. �Well I think I will let the two of you talk, and David?� �Yes sir?� I hope I don�t have to whip you again son, but that all depends on you and your behavior now doesn�t it?� David looked at Mr. Parker but he couldn�t speak. Mr. Parker turned and opened the door to leave. Matt, Jacob and Ricky froze. Mr. Parker closed the door quickly and raised his brow at the three boys. �Well well well, What do we have here?� The boys stood in silence and waited. |