money

Chapter 5
Missing Money

    Sarah rose before Nadia, pulled all of her clothes out from under her bed and tossed them into her basket with her other dirty clothes and headed down to the wash room. She knew Mark and Patricia would be getting up soon if they weren�t already and she had forgotten to get her laundry done on Saturday like her mother had told her. She needed her dress for Sunday school and it was in the dirty clothes pile too wrinkled to dig out and put back on, besides, it had a chocolate pudding stain from last Sunday�s dinner and there was no way she could cover that up. Sarah tip toed down the stairs, through the corridors and into the laundry room. She tossed the clothes into the washer, dumped in the soap and headed back to her room.

     Nadia had dressed, made her own bed and was in the process of trying to put pig tails in her hair when Sarah returned.

     �Where�s your Sunday dress? Nadia asked.

     �It�s in the washer.� Sarah answered.

     �You�re washing it now? Church is after breakfast, and breakfast is in� How long till breakfast, Sarah?�

     Sarah and Nadia both looked at the clock. �It�s in an hour.� Sarah replied. �I think it will be done by then.�

     Lynda dressed quickly and headed for the bathroom a second time. This time it was to brush her teeth and put on some of the makeup she had purchased at the small drug store in town when she was there yesterday. When she returned to her room, Lizzie had already done her morning chores and had left the room. Lynda finished and then headed downstairs.

     Wendy sat and starred out of the window as Jessica scurried around getting ready for Church and trying to make up for lost time because she has overslept. As excited as Wendy was to be back in her room, it had only been a few days and she wasn�t looking forward to so much sitting.

     I�m going down now, do you want to go with me?� Jessica asked as she picked up her bible and headed for the door.

     �No, I have something I need to do, but I won�t be late,� Wendy replied.

     Ricky helped Sam with his collar and tucked in his shirt before sending him down to Patricia for inspection. He didn�t really need inspecting, but Ricky needed a few minutes alone to collect himself before church.

     Still in her pajamas, Sarah peeked over the railing of the stairs to see if she could hear any grown people out and about. When she didn�t hear anyone, she scurried down the stairs, through the hall and back to the laundry room. She quickly tossed all of her laundry into the dryer and then ran back to her room. It was barely 20 minutes until she was expected to be in the dining hall for breakfast. She hoped her dress would be dry by then. When she got back to her room, Nadia was gone. �I hope she doesn�t tell mother that my dress is in the wash,� Sarah whined.

     David was sitting on his bed putting on clean socks when Nathan came into the room.

     What�s the matter with you?� David asked.

     What makes you think anything is wrong?�

     �I�ve been your roommate for a long time now and a roommate just knows these things, so what�s up?�

     It�s nothing. I can�t find my paper that I have to give to Dad at breakfast. You know, the one with the sentences he told me I had to write and turn in to him this morning.� Nathan grabbed a few pieces of paper and sat down at the table.

     You�re going to try and rewrite them in an hour? David asked.

     �I have no choice. If I tell Dad I don�t have them, he will think I didn�t do them, and I don�t want to piss him off today.�

     David patted Nathan on the shoulder. �Good luck little brother.� David picked up his bible and headed for the door. �I�m going to go and see if our two little brothers overslept again this Sunday.�

     Missy finished showering, dressed and then went back to her room. She had decided to let Alex sleep in a little longer because the storm had kept Alex up half of the night, but when Missy got back into the room, Alex was up, dressed and ready to go.

     �Wow, I thought you would still be sleeping,� she stated.

     �Mother said we weren�t to be late for breakfast because she didn�t want us late for church.� Alex ran the brush quickly through her hair and then headed out of the room. �I�m gonna go and see if Wendy is ready for breakfast.� she said, shutting the door behind her. No one answered when Alex knocked on Wendy�s bedroom door so she turned and headed downstairs.

     David knocked on Matt and Jacob�s door but when they didn�t answer, he knew they had porbably slept in again, but when he opened the door and turned on the light, their beds were empty. �This is even worse than them sleeping in, because this can only mean they are out doing something they shouldn�t be,� he said to himself. David closed the door and headed down the hall. When he approached the staircase, he heard the steps creak and when he looked over, Jacob and Matt looked up.

     �Get up here! Both of you.�

     Jacob and Matt climbed the reast of the stairs and stopped short of their older brother.

     �You two are covered in mud and breakfast is just around the corner. Mom sees you and she is going to skin both of you! Go take a shower and be quick about it. You can tell me later what you�ve been up to and why you�re both this dirty.�

     Jacob and Matt both took off for the bathroom. David headed down the stairs.

     Mark and Patricia looked forward to Sunday morning breakfast more so than the rest of the week. There was more time to enjoy Sunday breakfast and it was the one breakfast in which they sat at a table with all of their children, Mark and Patricia entered the cafeteria and as they made their way to their table, they briefly chatted with a few of the other adults. The cafeteria was filled with chattering children, but when Patricia turned toward their table, she caught her breath, then she reached for Mark�s arm. Mark turned to see what his wife wanted.

     �Where are all of our kids?� he asked as he starred at fourteen empty chairs

     Patricia looked around the room. �Maybe they are in here and we just can�t see them,� she replied.

     �We told them not to be late and for their sakes, they had best not be,� Mark stated.

     Mark pulled out Patricia�s chair and then he took a seat beside her. We will wait until our children arrive and then we will go and get out breakfast.�

     Mark and Patricia waited as the cafeteria quieted down to a small rumble and children stood in the food line with their children. As the line got shorter, Nadia and Sarah drifted in. Mark gave them both a quick frown and pointed to their chairs. Both girls took a seat.

     �Where is everyone?� Nadia asked. Sarah poked her in the side with her elbow. �Ow!� Nadia cried.

     David finally realized that most people were getting food. When he glanced over at the table, he noticed both Patricia and Mark were there, so he quickly made his way to the table. �Sorry I�m late. Well I�m not really late, I was over talking to James.�

     Mark raised his brow, and David quickly slid into his seat.

     One by one their children appeared and quietly slipped into their seats. Alex was the last to make an appearance. She took one look at her mothers face and then at Mark. Making no excuse as to her lateness, Alex slithered into her seat.

     Mark cleared his throat and everyone sitting at the table sat straight and turned their eyes to Mark.

     �Don�t think we all won�t talk about this later. When I excuse you, go and get some cereal and a glass of juice. That is all you will have time for this morning.�

     The children all sat quietly and waited. Finally Mark excused them and they all went to the breakfast line. There was no one waiting. The children took their breakfast back to the table and ate without muttering a word.

     The service at church lasted a little longer than usual and the minister dismissed the children late for Sunday school. When they all gathered back in the chappel for another fifteen minutes of church closing service, Marks and Patricia�s children all sat in the pew in front of them. As the minister spoke, Mark leaned forward and tapped David on the shoulder.

     �Where is Alex?�

     David shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Mark turned and looked at the doorway. Alex was standing in the back by the double doors. Mark motioned for her to come sit. Alex made her way quietly down the isle and took a seat next to her Father.

     �Where were you?� he whispered.

     �Bathroom,� she quietly answered.

     Mark nodded and smiled.

     When service was over, everyone ;eft the church and quickly made their way back to the school. The cold December weather made it nearly impossible for everyone to stand around and visit like they did during the warmer months. All of the other children in the school scattered to the four corners but Patricia and Mark kept their brood close.

     �We will all eat lunch together and then we are going to discuss what happened this morning.�

     The children gathered their lunches and while most of the other kids in the school had changed out of their Sunday clothes, Mark and Patricia�s children remained in theirs. When lunch was over, Mark gathered his children in the hall.

     �Sunday mornings is the one morning that I would like for us to eat together. It is the one day that I ask you to be on time, yet no one was able to do what we asked.�

     Mark turned to Nathan. �Do you have something for me?� he asked.

     �Yes, Sir,� Nathan replied. He reached into his pocked and pulled out several sheets of paper. Mark unfolded them and looked them over.

     �Was this the reason you were late for breakfast?�

     �I had them done, but I couldn�t find them, so I did them again.�

     Mark quickly glanced over the faces of his kids. They all looked regretful. Mark pulled Patricia aside and whispered in her ear, she smiled and nodded. Mark turned to his brood.

     �Your mother and I have decided to give this one more try. Next Sunday we expect to see all of your faces at that table 10 minutes before breakfast is to start,�

     The kids looked around, some smiled and some were surprised, but not one questioned their parents on the decision they made. When excused, the children all scattered.

     Mark and Patricia retired to their private quarters, but had barely had time to catch their breath when a knock came to the door.

     Mark opened the door and there stood Mr Parker. Mark could tell something was wrong.

     �Dad, come in.�

     Mr. Parker entered and closed the door behind him. �Mark, Patricia, there has been an incident this morning and we need all the parents to get their kids together and have a chat with them.�

     �About what, Dad?�

     Well not sure just when it happened, but sometime this morning, either before breakfast, or during church, someone came into my office and took the petty cash money.�

     Mark and Patricia�s eyes widened. �How much did you have in there, Dad?

     �Well it was right around $75.00. Now I know we have had a lot of different issues, but I never thought a kid from this school would go into my office and take money from my desk. I have to say they took a real risk doing so.�

     �Mark thought of each of his children, their lateness to breakfast and the fact that Alex didn�t return right away during church service, but like any parent, he couldn�t emagine any of his children doing such a thing.�

     �We are asking that you go, collect your children and bring them to your rec room and keep them there. I would like for you to talk to them, explain what has happened and that if they return the money within the hour, they will not be punished, however I do intend to have a stern talk with who ever took the money and why they would do such a thing.�

     Mr. Parker, Mark and Patricia talked for a few more minutes and then Mr. Parker went on his way to meet with some other parents. Mark went to gather the boys and Patricia gathered the girls. All of the children sat and watched their father pace back and forth across the rec room. David followed his father back and forth until he finally stopped in front of his children.

     �Something happened today that greatly disturbs both me and your mother. This isn�t about being late for breakfast. It is much more serious and I have some decisions to make on how to handle this situation that has arisen. Sometime this morning, or during church, someone went into Mr. Parkers office and took money that didn�t belong to them.�

     Mark watched the faces of his children. �$75.00 to be exact, and he would like it back!�

     Dad, you don�t think one of us took it, do you?� David asked.

     �David, I am not accusing anyone of taking this money, but it�s missing and my father has asked me to talk to you about it. Everyone in the school is being asked.

     �What�s gonna happen to the person who took it?� Jacob asked.

     Mr. Parker said that if the person brings the money back within the hour
They will not be punished.�

     �Yeah, right!� Ricky replied.

     �Richard, do you have something to add to this?� Mark asked.

     �Look at all the stuff that happens here. This is like the worst thing and I don�t believe that who ever took the money isn�t gonna get it, and I mean but good!�

     Wendy shook her head, so did Jacob and Missy.

     �What ever Mr. Parker decides, will ultimately be up to him, but I am telling you now, if any of you did this, I want it given back, and I want it done now!�

     Mark stood and approached his children. Mark started with David and worked his way down to the youngest, Nadia. He asked each of his children if they had anything to do with the disappearance of the money or saw anything out of the ordinary. Everyone said they didn�t and that they didn�t see anything strange. Mark let all of his kids go back to what they were doing and he reported to his father. An hour and a half later, the money had not been returned. When the dinner bell rang and all of the children sat down to eat, the noise in the cafeteria was minor. Everyone had their minds on the missing money and if it had been turned in yet. Mr. Parker worked his way through the cafeteria recruiting adults, then Mr. Parker made an announcement. The room grew silent.

     �This person was given every chance to return the money but the money has not been returned. It saddens me to think that someone would do such a thing. To let down their parents, brothers and sisters and to break the trust of this school. Everyone will remain in the cafeteria while rooms are being searched. The money will be found and when it is, that person will be punished. If they want to step forward and assume responsibility now, I will go easy on them.� Mr. Parker stood and waited for a minute, but no one stepped forward. Children at all different tables watched as Mr. Parker and several of the other parents, left the cafeteria.

     Barely an hour passed when Mr. Parker and the other parents returned. The children had come from being silent, to chatting amongst them selves, but with the return of their principal, they all became silent again.

     Mr. Parker stood at the front of the room. �The money has been found like I said it would be. I want all children to go to their rooms and stay there. I do not want to see anyone out, now go!�

     The children exited the cafeteria and in a matter of less than 5 minutes, all children were in their rooms and the halls grew silent. All of parents and Mr. Parker stayed and discussed the situation. Mark sat and held Patricia�s hand as his father spoke as to how this would be handled. It sickened Mark that it had indeed been one of his own children that had taken the money. All of the other parents left the room while Mark and Patricia stayed.

      Mark looked up at his father. �Do you want me to go and get her and bring her to you?� Mark asked.

     �No, Son. She is your daughter and you will see to her punishment.� Mr. Parker reached for his keys. �This unlocks the cabinet behind my desk and I trust that you know which one is �Old Faithful�

     Mark stood up. �She needs to be punished, but she is just 12, and she is already dreading the day she will get a spanking from me. I won�t use �Old Faithful� on her.�

     �Are you defying me, Son?�

     �I am your son, but I am also a father, and I know Alex. I can�t and I won�t whip her with that belt. This is a delicate situation and you have to let me do this my way.�

     �He�s right,� Patricia chimed. That belt would be too much for her. I think Mark giving her a spanking is going to be more than sufficient punishment. It is something she has dreaded since we married�

     �Very well, then, but I do intend to talk to her later. That I will do!� Mr. Parker turned and walked away.

     Mark took hold of Patricia�s hands and then looked at the floor. �I think we should bring Alex to our quarters, talk to her first and then do what needs to be done there.�

     Mark and Patricia walked into the hall together. Mark kissed his wife and then Patricia headed to their quarters. Mark headed upstairs to Alex.

     Mark walked slowly down the hall toward Alex and Missy�s room. He stood outside of the door and took a deep breath before reaching for the knob.

     Alex and Missy were sitting on Alex�s bed when Mark opened the door. Both girls stopped and turned toward Mark.

     �Dad, who was it that took the money?� Missy asked.

     Mark didn�t answer her. Instead he made eye contact with Alex. Her stomach tightened.

     �Alexandra, would you come with me please?�

     Alex gulped and grabbed her tummy. She turned and looked at Missy before slowly sliding off of the bed and following Mark out of the room. She followed him down the hall, down the stairs, through the long corridors, up another flight of stairs and into her parents private quarters.

     When they entered, Alex couldn�t be sure but she thought she saw her mother wipe away tears. Mark took hold of Alex�s arm and pulled her along with him until he took a seat next to Patricia. Mark took hold of Alex�s other arm and firmly seated her on the coffee table before her parents.

     Alex gulped. �I know why I�m here,� Alex�s voice cracked.

     Marks� voice was firm. �Suppose you tell me then!�

     �Mr. Parkers money.� Alex answered. �I didn�t take it,� she whispered.

     �I was with Mr. Parker when he searched your room. It was in with your things, Alexandra. What do you have to say for yourself?�

     Alex knew she was in deep deep trouble. She also knew it wasn�t her that took the money, but to convince her father wasn�t likely to happen. She knew she had to try.

     Alex swallowed the lump in her throat. Her voice cracked again. �I don�t know how it got��

     Mark�s voice grew louder. It was in your secret hiding place!�

     Alex looked at her mother. Her face was covered in pain and disappointment. Alex knew there was no way she could explain how that money had gotten into her secret hiding place. Maybe she had taken it. All she could do now was try to redeem herself, for blaming others or denying what was staring her in the face would surely bring a more wrathful punishment from her father.

     Alex looked down at the floor. �I�m sorry I took the money,� she whispered.

     Mark reached over and lifted Alex�s chin. �So am I, Alexandra. So I�m I. I told you as long as I could, I would let your mother handle your spankings if and when you needed them, but taking money is serious and will not be tolerated. Do you understand Alexandra?�

     Alex squished her toes into the area rug below her feet and twisted clumps of her dress fabric between her fingers. Tears quickly appeared in Alex�s eyes and ran down her cheeks. She nodded. A few hiccups escaped through Alex�s lips. She knew from her fathers eyes and his stern voice that she was she was going to get it, and how! Just like Ricky had said downstairs.

     Alex followed Mark with her eyes as he stood up. He reached down, took hold of her arm and helped her from the table. Mark turned away from Patricia and with Alex in tow, headed toward the bedroom. Alex walked with Mark, but turned and looked over her shouldre at her Mother. Tears continued. They entered the bedroom and Mark closed the door behind him. Alex started to cry.

     Every fiber of Alex�s being told her to yell and cry. To shout that she didn�t take the money, but she knew her words wouldn�t be believed and that her fear of getting whipped by Mark would be reason enough to deny any wrong doing. Her fear had really betrayed her this time.

     Mark placed Alex at the foot of the bed and then he reached for the buckle on his belt. As it feathered through the loops with a whoosh, Alex shivered and quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. Be brave, she thought to herself.

     �Turn and face the bed!� Mark�s voice was firm and unwavering.

     Alex knew she was in deep and would not get out of this. She wiped her tears again, turned and faced the end of the bed. With his hand, Mark pushed Alex forward. The bed was perfect height. The tips of her shoes touched the floor. Mark reached up and lifted her skirt from her bottom, then rid her bottom of her underpants. Fear enveloped Alex as she waited for the first stinging slap of her fathers riged belt. Alex started to ball. Mark clutched Alex�s arms and pinned them onto her back, picked up the belt, leaned in to give some weight to hold Alex down and then raised the belt. Alex jumped and yelped when she felt the first slap of the belt and it stung the skin on her backside. She yelped and burst into tears when the second lick came, then a third, and a forth and a fifth. Alex jumped with each lick, and more wails followed more screeches as the belt landed again and again. Her dread of a licken from her father was everything she thought it would be. Just plain the worst thing she could emagine.

     Mark paused in his strikes. �My children will not steal! They will not steal ever!� Mark quickly landed several more licks to Alex. Her bottom wiggled with each strike as they were followed by wails of dread and sorrow, but not remorse for Alex knew deep down she had not taken that money. She was sure of it. If only Daddy would think she had had enough, but the licken continued.

     Alex tried to keep count, but the pain overrode her ability to do so after fifteen licks. Finally at some point, she noticed the whippen had stopped and Mark had let go of her arms. Alex stayed over the end of the bed and wept.

     Alex finally felt the comforting arms of her mother around her as she stood in the middle of the living room of her parents private quarters. Her skirt down where it belonged, but her cotton underpants had long gone to another place. Alex couldn�t remember standing, nor could she remember walking back to where he mother waited. Alex only wept deeply as her mother comforted her. Her bottom throbbed and she could feel each and every stripe left by her fathers belt. Stinging stripes for a crime in which she never commited, but whom ever did, she was sure to make them pay. Ohh would they ever pay.

     When Alex woke, the sun was peeking through the lace curtains that hung on the window of her parents apartment. Alex looked down at her hands. They were slightly tucked under her head and she was covered by a quilt. She had slept the entire night on the sofa in her parents apartment. When she moved her toes, her bottom began to sting. She could feel every stinging welt left by her fathers belt. It hurt so bad, but she had survived and the whippen she got, although the worst thing no doubt, it hadn�t killed her, she had indeed survived.

     �Goodmorning, Alexandra, a voice called.

     �Morning, Daddy,� Alex�s cracked horse voice answered.

     �When you get up and around, we need to talk some more about what happened.�

     Alex, moved her legs, growled the pain away. �Daddy I need to tell you something, because now I know I can and that you will believe me.�

     Mark was taken aback and scratched his head. He took a seat on the coffee table. �What is it?� he asked.

     �I�ve tried really hard to be good because I never wanted to get punished, well you know, but yesterday you found money in my room that didn�t belong to me. Stolen money from Mr. Parker. Daddy I was telling you the truth last night. I didn�t take that money.�

     �Alexandra, we�ve been through this!� Mark�s voice was scolding.

     �Daddy, what do I have to lose? I already got the worse whippen ever, so I don�t have any reason to lie to you now.� Alex slowly sat up, grimacing when her bottom touched the sofa. She looked right at Mark. �I did not take that money!�

     Marks� eyes widened. He couldn�t figure out why, but he believed Alex. Mark reached over and took her hand. If this is the truth, why didn�t you tell me last night?�

     �Last night I looked guilty and it would have just been me trying to not get a whippen, but I really did not take that money. I don�t know how it got there. I swear I don�t know, Daddy, but it wasn�t me that put it there.�

     Mark suddenly felt sick. He knew he had punished the wrong child

     �You stay with your mother today and she will tend to you,� Mark wrapped his arms around Alex.

     �I have school,� she replied.

     �Not today,� Patricia whispered.

     Mark stood and pulled Alex from the sofa. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. �I love you Alex, and I�m sorry for the whippen. I believe you when you say it wasn�t you and I will find out what happened. Today you stay here with your mother and lether tend to you.�

     Alex burst into tears.

     Mark caught his father in the corridor just outside of his office and explained the situation with him and then headed upstairs to have a talk with Missy. He didn�t want to think he had the wrong child again, but they did share a room together. As he questioned her and she became upset, he knew Missy wasn�t the one either. Wendy, Sarah and Lynda were now in the room and terribly upset over the fact that Alex had been punished over something they were sure she didn�t do. Mark told the girls to finish getting ready for school. He turned and left the room. As he approached the stairs, Sarah called to him.

     �Daddy, Wait!�

     Mark stopped and turned to Sarah. �What is it?�

     Sarah looked down at the floor. Fear had gotten her before she could mutter a word.

     �Do you have something about this that you want to say, Sarah?�

     Sarah nodded. �It was just before Seven. I saw someone coming out of Mr. Parkers office.�

     �Was it Alex?�

     �No, Sir.�

     �Tell me who it was, Sarah.�

     Sarah looked down at the floor. Mark took hold of her arm. �Come with me!� he scolded. Sarah kept the quick pace of her father as they scurried down the stairs and toward her parents private quarters. Patricia could tell by the look on Sarah�s face and Mark�s as well that this wasn�t a social visit.

     �I fixed Alex up and put her in our bed, now what is going on with Sarah?� she asked

     Mark took a seat on the sofa and placed Sarah in front of him. �Who did you see coming out of Mr. Parkers office?�

     Sarah thought of how her life would come to an abrupt end if this person ever found out that she was the one who narked her out. Sarah knew it would be her death sentence, so she remained quiet.

     �Sarah! You tell your father who you saw before I give you a spanking!�

     Sarah swallowed and her eyes widened. �I saw Camille coming out of Mr. Parkers office. Sarah started to cry. I�m sorry I didn�t tell earlier but I was being naughty and I didn�t want you to know. When they said they found the money, I thought they found it in Camille�s room, Not Alex�s. I feel awful.�

     Sarah burst into tears and fell into Marks arms. He scooped her up and pulled her onto his knee. He and Patricia comforted her until she calmed.

     At first I didn�t even think of it when she came out. I thought she was in trouble.�

     Patricia lifted Sarah�s chin. Did she see you,Sarah?�

     �No she didn�t. the hall was dark where I was but I watched her go in so I waited, then she came out again. She was only in there for a couple minutes. Mother I need to tell you, I was being bad, cause why I was there so early is I was washing my Sunday clothes because I didn�t do it on Saturday like you told me. I pushed them under my bed.�

     Patricia smiled. She tried not to laugh. �I like to be obeyed, but I have to say that it was a good thing you were doing your laundry that early.�

     �It was?� Sarah asked.

     �If you hadn�t been, then you wouldn�t have seen Camille coming from Mr. Parkers office,� Mark replied.

     �Camille took the money and put it in my room?� Alex asked. She had been standing in the doorway listening to Sarah.

     �I�m so sorry I didn�t tell, Alex.� Sarah cried. Sarah ran and put her arms around Alex. �I�m going to take care of you.�

     �You already have. Because of you, Daddy a Mommy know I told the truth. Mark stood up and quickly left the room. He walked down the hall, and into Mr. Parkers office. He explained to him what he had found out about the money and held his hand out for the key to the cupboard that stood behind his fathers desk. He opened it, reached in and yanked �Old Faithful� from it�s place. Every child that was in the hall on their way to class made way for Mark as he walked passed, Old Faithful dangling from his hand. Every child with guilt of one kind or another, cringed at the thought that this could be for them so when Mark passed, they all felt better. Mark made his way up the stairs to the third floor where Camille lived. Kids scattered to the side and some quickly made their way to the stairs. Camille and two of her friends were halfway down the hall headed for the stairs.

     Mark stopped in the middle of the hall, belt still dangling. �Camille, get your butt over here right now!� He yelled.

     Camille and her two friends stopped. Camille looked at her two friends and then at Mark. Sure of herself, Camille took the few steps toward Mark, stopping just in front of him.

     �What did I do?� she asked. Mark knew he wouldn�t get anywhere with hr so he walked past her and approached her friends. Both girls backed up against the wall with frightened looks on their faces.

     �I�m going to throw you a lifeline. You can take it, or you can go down with the ship �Camille. What do you know about the stolen money?� he asked.

     �They can�t tell you anything!�Camille shouted.

     �I don�t know anything! The one girl cried., but the other girl spoke. �Camille thought it would be funny to get Alex into trouble.�

     �You shut up!� Camille yelled. Shut up right now!

     �Why?� Mark asked. Not totally ignoring Camille�s outburst.

     The girl took a deep breath �She knew how much Alex feared getting a spanking from you so Camille took the money from Mr. Parkers office and hid it in Alex�s room.�

     �Go to Mr. Parkers office and tell him what you just told me, now! Mark ordered. The girls took off down the hall. Mark turned and grabbed Camille. What do you have to say for yourself?� he asked.

     Camille looked up and glared into Marks eyes but she offered no explanation.

     Mark led Camille through the hall, down the stairs and through groups of children. Some snickered, some gasped, but no one stood up for Camille as Mark led her away from them and toward his private quarters.

     �I gave Alex a good sound whippen last night for something you did to her. You should be ashamed!� he scolded.

     �I�m not sorry! Camille screamed, �and I don�t care what you do to me cause it will be worth it and it won�t change what you did to, Alex.� Camille yelled.

     Mark stopped in the hall just a few feet from his door. �What�s wrong with you? How could you do this to someone just for the pleasure of seeing them punished?�

     �It worked didn�t it?� Camille asked.

     �I don�t know, Camille. Why don�t I ask you again in a few minutes. After I whip you!� Mark growled.

     Camille grimaced as Marks grasp of her arm tightened. A lump developed in her throat as they entered through the door. Patricia, Alex and Sarah were all sitting in the living room on the sofa. Sarah was crying and Patricia was comforting her. Alex�s eyes widened when she saw the old worn belt dangling from her fathers hand. She knew right away what it was and she had heard from her brothers of how much it stung to get a whack from that old belt. Sarah jumped up and scurried toward her father as he headed into the bedroom with Camille in tow.

     �Daddy don�t!� Alex cried, tugging on his arm. Camille turned and looked at Alex.

     Marks voice was questioning. �Don�t?�

     �Why did you do it, Camille?� Alex asked

     �I don�t have to tell you anything!� Camille yelled.

     Mark pulled her around by the arm, pushed her into the bedroom and then closed the door behind him.�

     Alex slid down the doorway and laid her head against the casing. �Daddy, please don�t!� she cried. It won�t matter what you do cause she won�t be sorry.� Alex continued to cry. �It won�t make hr sorry!� Alex wiped tears and listened to the scuffling that was going on on the other side of the door.

     �No!, No!� she heard Camille yell. The tone seemed angry, but then it sounded panicked. Please!� she heard Camille say. �No!�

     Then Alex heard a swoosh and the strike of the old worn belt as it made contact with Camille. It sounded like bare skin. Soon to be stinging throbbing skin as the belt landed again and again. Alex sat by the door and listened to Camille screech and yelp like nothing she had heard before.

     Patricia went to her and took hold of her arm. �Come lets go downstairs.�
Alex shook her head no. Patricia took Sarah and left the room. Alex stayed by the door.

     Pinned to the bed, Camille bucked and wailed as the belt striped her bottom over and over. Her feet kicked and she threw her head back when the belt landed on her bare legs instead of her plump soon-to-be swollen bottom. She knew it wasn�t about whether she felt remorse because she knew she didn�t. She knew why Mark was giving her this whippen and she didn�t care. She would never be sorry.� He could whip her if he wanted, but she would never be sorry.

     When the entire surface of Camille�s bottom was bright red, Mark stopped. She took deep breaths between wails because it hurt so terribly bad. Mark took the belt in his hand, folded it together several times and sat it on the night stand.

     �You stay just the way you are!� he scolded. He turned and left the room. Alex was still sitting on the floor when Mark opened it. He helped her to her feet and wiped her tears.

     �She�s not sorry, Daddy. Spankings only work when the person is truly sorry.�

     Mark wrapped his arms around her.

     �So what happens now. What do you do with her now?� Alex asked

     Camille will be staying with your mother and me for a few days, then we will see.

     That night Alex returned to her room, but went back to her mother and fathers private quarters bright and early. Camille had indeed stayed there for the entire night. Alex made some warm cocoa and sat it on the table.

     �What�s that?� Camille whispered.

     �It�s for you.� Alex replied.

     Camille swung her legs around and tried to sit up but her bottom throbbed. She drank the cocoa. �After what I did to you, how can you be so nice to me?� she asked.

     �Because I want to and because I want to forgive you for getting me into trouble,� Alex replied.

     �Why would you want to do that?� Camille asked.

     Alex sat down next to Camille on the sofa. �Nothing is gained by hating people. It only makes you bitter and sad. I don�t want to be like that.� She pointed to her heart. �At the end of the day when I crawl into bed, I want to feel good right here. I want to know I did all I could to make other people�s lives better.�

     �Camille looked at Alex with fascination. �Why?� she asked.

     �So I will feel good about myself and so I won�t feel all bitter and sad. So when I get old, I will have friends to help me. Being mean only makes you not have friends and then you will be all alone when you�re old.�

     Camille looked around the room and then looked at Alex. �Well no one has ever really cared about me, so why should I?

     You make it hard for people to care because you�re so mean. Stop and people will start to like you.�

     How do you get like that?� Camille asked.

     �Like what?�

     �Nice, sweet?�

     �It comes from inside you. Do something good for someone and you will know what I mean,� Alex whispered.

     Camille stared at Alex for a few minutes. �You�re for real, aren�t ya?�

     Alex nodded.

     Camille took a deep breath. �I�m sorry,� she whispered.

     �For what, Camille?�

     �For getting you in trouble with your old man and�.�

     Alex widened her eyes and gave Camille a small gesture with her hands to continue.

     �And for getting you whipped for something I did.� I can�t believe how nice to me you�ve been after what I did. I don�t get you. You get the thrashin of your life cause of me. If it were me, I�d pound the tar out of ya!�

     �I could do that! But if I pounded the tar out of you, what would it get me?� Alex asked.

     Camille�s eyes widened and she let the question toss around in her head for a minute. �Probably another whippen�

     Alex smiled and then Camille smiled, then they both burst out laughing
Alex knew Camille finally understood.

     Mark had been listening through the doorway and heard the entire conversation. He knew Alex was right all along. There was only reason behind being remorseful.