| Chapter Eight Smashing Pumpkins |
"We have to tell him," Jacob exclaimed, as the four boys stood behind the barn with a mess of soft squishy pumpkins. "Absolutely not," David scolded. We have been stashing pumpkins for almost a month. We have big plans for Halloween night and I don't intend on being grounded.� "But your two little sisters man. They got their butts totally smacked cause of us and that's not cool dude. You gotta admit they were pretty sneaky getting all those pumpkins under their bed like that." Tyler stated. �How long you been here?� David asked. �I�ve been here a couple weeks now dude.� �Yeah, exactly. Now shut up!� �That�s not cool dude!� David turned and dropped the last pumpkin "Sometimes we all make sacrifices and tonight is gonna be the greatest." David smiled as he stood there admiring his pile of rotting pumpkins. "Should we do this?" Jacob asked "If you want to chicken out, go ahead. I�ve been planning this for a long time and I�m going through with it. "Ok I�m still in," Jacob replied �Ok, It's all set then. We all meet back here tonight during the party. They will all be distracted and they won't even notice the truck missing," David stated. The boys peaked around the corner of the barn, then headed back toward the school. "It's Halloween! It's Halloween!" shouted Nadia and Sarah as they danced down the hall toward Dinner. The teacher had been especially nice to the children today and assigned not one single bit of homework so that they could all enjoy their night out. Some of the kids had decided to stay behind because they thought they were to old for trick or treating so they helped with the preparations for the evening Halloween party at the school. After dinner Mark and Patricia took most of their children into town for some much needed fun. Several of the other parents did the same. Only a few people remained at the school and this was what the older boys had planned for. They didn't want to go into town but had decided to attend the party. Just after dark they returned to Barrington with loads of candy. They all entered the cafeteria for fun and games as well as a scary movie for the older kids. One by one the boys left the party unnoticed. Within fifteen minutes they had loaded dozens of rotting pumpkins into the old farm truck that they school used to haul off shrubs. David hot wired the truck and the boys were on their way to town. "This is gonna be so fun," Matthew claimed as they rode in the back of the truck. David and Tyler took turns driving the truck as Ricky, Matthew, Nathan, Jacob and a few other boys from the school threw rotting pieces of pumpkins at people as they drove by. They threw pumpkins at trees and watched as they exploded into a million pieces. "Now this is the way to do Halloween!" Ricky yelled as they drove on down the street. They hit parked cars and street lamps. They smashed pumpkins all over the little town in which they lived. When they ran out of ammo they headed back to the school. They were less than a mile from the school when they saw the flashing lights behind them. Jacob looked at David. "Ohhh shit. Now what do we do?" David never answered his little brother. He just drove a little faster as the cops continued to follow. David pulled into the school and drove the truck right next to the barn where it had been before they took it. When David crawled from within the cab he knew that they were in deep trouble. The flashing lights could be seen from the cafeteria and had already caught the attention of several people. Mark and several of the other parents went out the side door and headed toward the flashing lights. They went through the parking lot and headed toward the old barn. They were met by the sheriff as they approached. Mark extended his hand. "Good evening sheriff. What�s going on out here?" "Well what we have here is some boys out causing some mischief. Halloween fun. pranks and the sort. Only problem is they smashed pumpkins everywhere. It's a huge mess in town. They pulled in here in an old truck. I think my other officers have them about rounded up by now.� Just then Mr. Parker approached "Are they some of our boys?" he asked. "Well I think they all belong to you," he replied as he motioned them to follow him. As they headed toward the barn Mark hoped in his heart that David wasn't one of the boys involved. Especially with all the trouble he had been in lately. When they arrived to where the boys were, the officers had them all lined up along the barn with their hands on their heads. Marks mouth dropped open in disbelief. Four of the eleven boys were his. Mr. Parker looked at his grown son. "Are those your four boys?" "Yes sir, they are mine," he replied as he looked at his dads disgusted eyes. "Don't you have just four boys?" he asked again as he looked at his son in disbelief. "Yes sir," he replied at his father scolding tone. He looked at the other four men standing there and then turned his attention to the eleven boys. "David, Now!!," he yelled. David turned and approached Mr. Parker with caution. He knew he was in trouble with his dad but to have Mr. Parker there too, wasn't a good thing for him at all. "Are you responsible for this mess?" he asked in a very stern voice. "Was this your idea?� David slowly shook his head. "Your dad is to soft on you. I want only the truth and I want it now boy or I'm gonna take you in this barn and take the strap to you myself.� David had no doubt, Mr. Parker meant what he said. David spilled the whole plan. everything. Mark listened as David told his own father what they had planned. The sheriff and his men listened along with Ricky's dad and the three other fathers. One of the other men had gone back to try and locate the other boys dads so they could retrieve their sons when this was over. "Get your ass back over with your delinquent friends," he said as he gave David a little shove. He then turned his attention to the sheriff. "What are you gonna do with them sheriff?" he asked. "Well since we have a confession and we already have them home, I don't see why we can't just turn them over to you. I do want these boys in my office early tomorrow morning. It's going to take them all day to clean up the mess they made.� "Their fathers will bring them in," he replied as he reached out and shook the sheriffs hand. Mr. Parker turned to Mark. "I want to talk to you in my office in ten minutes. Do you hear!" �Yes sir,� Mark replied. Mark�s mind was in a haze at the evenings events. His dad hadn't spoke to him in that tone since he was a kid himself. The sheriff gave the boys a lecture of sorts and one by one released them to their prospective parent. David, Jacob, Nathan and Matthew. Now! Mark scolded as the sheriff and his men were getting in their cars to leave. Ricky�s father had clutched him by the arm and was scolding him as they headed back toward the school. Each boy was being scolded in a different manner as they were led back into Barrington. All four boys stood silent in front of their father. Mark paced back and forth, then stopped in front of them. The moon was full and the boys could see the anger on their fathers face. "I see solitary confinement in your future. Come with me.� Mark turned and headed toward the school. They entered through the main door and walked just a few feet until they reached Mr. Parkers office. Mark pointed to the long bench that sat across the hall from his fathers office. �Have a seat!� As the boys started to sit down, Mr. Parker came from his office. "Line up against the wall," he ordered. As the boys quickly obeyed, Mr. Parker took hold of David and pulled him from the bunch. What kind of a brother are you?" he asked as he looked at David. "Look at them. They look up to you. They would do anything you ask of them, but you let them down every time you talk them into breaking the rules.� Mr. Parker gave David a little shove. �Get over there where you belong!� David tried his best to look respectful of Mr. Parker but he wasn't about to take the blame in his mind for this one. He had never forced them to come along. "He didn't let us down, I went on my own" Jacob replied as he kept his place in line. Mr. Parker snapped his head around. "I wasn't talking to you Boy. Open that mouth again and I�m going to take the strap to your smart ass!� Jacob quickly looked down at the floor in hopes Mr. Parker would focus on someone else besides him. �What you did tonight was wrong. You disrespected your father, this school and this town. Most of all you disrespected yourself. You all gave yourselves a reputation in this town. Tomorrow you will clean them up as you clean up the town. The next town meeting, you will all be there and apologize to them in person. Tomorrow morning before you go, you all have a whipping coming and if your father does it the way he should, you will feel it throughout the entire day. Do I make myself clear son?" he asked as he looked at Mark. "Yes sir," he replied. As Mark stood there listening to his father scold his boys, it brought back memories of when he had stood in front of his father for a scolding just before the belt came off. He could easily intimidate any child to tears "Now all of you, get your asses to bed." Mr. Parker yelled. The boys scurried down the hall in silence. As they rounded the corner, David looked back. He wasn�t going to let Mr. Parker�s huffing and puffing scare him any. They all went to their rooms and crawled into bed. With the thought of feeling their fathers belt in the morning, Matthew and Jacob cried themselves to sleep. Nathan lay in bed wishing he had just gone to the party and David sat in the window seat staring at the lights across the way in the girls dorm. No. He wasn�t about to take anything from Mr. Parker or his father. Mark followed his father into his office like an obedient 12 year old. He didn�t know how he was going to explain how all four of his boys could be in so much trouble at the same time. Mr. Parker took a seat in one of the chairs that sat in front of his desk. Mark sat down in the other chair and looked at his father. "Son, have you forgotten what it feels like to get the strap taken to your backside?� "No sir, I haven't forgotten," Mark replied. "Tell me why that is son," he continued to press on. "Because when you whipped me Dad, you made sure I felt it enough that I couldn't forget.� "Do you hate me because of it son?" he asked. "No sir, I could never hate you," he replied. "Why?" he asked. "Because you taught me how to be a better person through your love, guidance and discipline," Mark replied. "When you came to this school you were as wild as they could make them, but I held firm with you. You are to easy on those boys of yours and it�s showing. Now they are in a lot of trouble. �You�re losing David. I�ve been watching him and he is working he way to juvenile hall. Did you forget how to swing a belt?" he asked. "No sir, I haven�t forgotten.� "Then use it!" he ordered. �You have four sons that need punished, and I expect it will be done before you take them into town tomorrow, and if I don�t see a change in young David�s attitude and behavior soon, I will be taking him off your hands and putting him under my supervision. Understood?" Mr. Parker continued. �What?� �You heard what I said and it isn�t up for negotiation. The rules are if I feel a child needs guidance that they aren�t getting, I can and will step in. Do you understand what I�m saying son?� "Yes sir. I understand.� "Goodnight then." Mark left his dads office and walked to the end of the hall. He took a seat on the stairs and thought about the past couple of months. Maybe his father was right. He had tried to be forgiving of his children�s mistakes but he could now see that David was out of hand. Why didn't I see this coming he thought as he continued to sit there with his head buried in his hands. He didn�t want to loose David to his father. He didn�t want to fail his fathers expectations of him and he didn�t want to fail David either. "What are you doing Daddy.� Mark glanced up to see who was standing behind him. �I thought you were watching a movie with the other kids," he asked as he wiped away his tears. Wendy took a seat beside him. "I was, but when you didn't come back I got worried.� she replied as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Well Daddy has a lot to think about right now and he doesn't quite know what to do.� �We saw all the police out by the barn but Patricia and the other parents hurried us back to the party and to other things.� Wendy looked up at her father. "Is David in lots of trouble?" she asked in a soft voice. "Yes Wendy, all four of your brothers got into trouble tonight," he answered. "They did something very bad. The police caught them and I have to punish them for it.� "Are you going to spank them?" she asked as she reached out and touched his arm. "I'm afraid this time I have to whip them," he replied as he looked over to her. �Is that why you�re crying?� Mark stared at Wendy, then smiled. He had hoped she hadn�t noticed, then he remembered just who he was sitting next to. He reached his arm out and wrapped it around her. �I am crying Wendy. I�m sad.� �Do you have to whip them?� she asked. �I don�t want to or like to whip any of you. It makes me sad when I have to do so, but I�m afraid they�ve eared it this time and I really don�t have any other choice but to do so.� Wendy looked up at her father from the corner of her eye. She wondered if she had made her father cry before he came up to punish her. She suddenly felt bad. �I�m sorry we make you sad.� Mark looked at Wendy. �You don�t make me sad, understand! It makes me sad that I have to punish sometimes, but you don�t make me sad. It�s different.� Wendy nodded. Mark continued on and told Wendy what the boys had done with the pumpkins and the stealing of the school truck. "I don't think I'm to lenient on my children but my father is right, David is out of hand and I have to stop it now," he continued to talk as he stared down the hall toward the boys corridor. "Wendy?" he stated as he looked at her. "Yes Daddy." "Ricky was there to," he said. The words stung at her heart. She cared a lot about Ricky. Not more than she cared about her brothers, but in a different way. Wendy sat up straight and tried to fight the sadness that had come over her suddenly. She wanted to be brave and not cry. �How mad did Mr. Stein look?" she asked. �Mad enough to give him a whippen too?� Mark held tight to Wendy. �Mr. Parker basically ordered the punishment that all the boys get whippings and I�m sure Mr. Stein has done so already.� Wendy started to cry. �Why do boys have to be so dumb and do such dumb stuff anyway?� "Do you want me to sit with you for a few minutes?" he asked as he put his arm around Wendy. "I think I am just gonna go to my room for a while," she replied as she stood and started to walk up the stairs. "Dad, she called as she turned and looked down at him. �I love the bracelet and your a great Dad," she reminded. "I love you very much too Wendy. Goodnight baby," he replied as she continued up the stairs. Mark sat there a few more minutes before deciding to check on his four delinquent children. He stopped in the cafeteria to check on his other kids. He told Jessica that Wendy had gone to bed. He then asked if she would get Sarah and Nadia to bed because he had a task to attend to. He made his way up the stairs and headed down the hall to Matt and Jacobs room first. When he entered, the room was dark. He flipped the light switch to find two boys in their pajamas and in bed just as his father had instructed them. Jacob started crying when he saw his father. Mark took a chair and pulled it in between the boys beds and seated himself. He really didn't want to be to forceful with them but he knew his father was right. What they had done was far worse than any other disobedient act. "Front and center boys," he called as he pointed to the floor just in front of him. Matthew and Jacob crawled from their beds and stood in front of their father. Mark looked at both boys. "I am going to ask you one question and that's it. I want the truth.� They both shook their heads. "Did you boys take pumpkins from the patch and smash them all over in town like David said you did?" he asked in a very stern voice. �Yes sir,� Matthew replied. Jacob shook his head. �I hope the two of you realize just how much trouble you�re in. The police could have arrested all of you and taken you to juvenile hall. Is that what you want out of your lives? Juvenile hall and jail?� �No sir. I don�t,� Jacob replied. �I don�t want to be in jail,� Matthew said. �You two had better think about the possibility. The sheriff could still press charges and you could go before the judge. He can send you there if he chooses to do so.� �I�m scared. I don�t want to go to jail Dad!� Matthew cried. �I think both of you know what you did tonight was wrong. You both caused destruction in town. For that you will both get the belt before I take you in to the sheriff tomorrow.� Both boys stood there listening to Marks harsh words. They were beginning to wish they hadn't gotten involved in David�s naughty behavior. They continued to stand awaiting the next move from their father. As you wait for sleep to come, I want you both to think about where you�re headed and how some things you do have bigger consequences than other things you do.� Mark scolded. �The sheriff can do what ever he chooses and there isn�t a thing I can do to stop it.� Both boys looked at each other, then back to their father. Neither could say a word. Mark reached over and pulled Matthew toward him. He looked briefly into Matt�s eyes, then pulled him over his knee. Matthew opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He let his legs fall so his toes touched the floor and he let his arms go limp as his head hung over the other side. Fear welled in his stomach and he wished for nothing but to be able to run. But he knew, once over his fathers knee, any chance of escape was gone. He felt his fathers arm secure him tightly, then he felt his pajama bottoms melt away. Matthew started to cry. Mark set his hand to work like rapid fire from a machine gun. His hand stung immediately from the spanking he was administering. Matthew wailed and yelped as his fathers hand stung his bare skin. He kicked his feet and flailed his arms about, but he stayed firmly secured over his fathers knee. The spanks from his father covered his entire bottom and the upper portion of his legs. Matt continued to wail and kick until the rapid firing of his fathers hand ceased. Matthew again laid limp, this time his body shook as he continued to wail. Mark pulled up his crying son�s pajama bottoms and lifted him from his lap. He took hold of Matthew by his shoulders and gave him a little shake. �You stop your crying!� Matt looked at his fathers stern glare. He took a couple deep breathes and sucked it in. He stopped wailing, but the hiccups wouldn�t go as easily. �Wipe away those tears too!� Matt hiccupped a couple more times as he reached up and wiped the tears away with the sleeve of his pajamas. �You stand right there and don�t you move!� Mark scolded. When he felt his fathers hands release him, he wanted nothing more than to run to his bed. He knew he better not disobey or his fathers belt might not wait until morning. Matthew decided to stay put. Jacob felt his fathers gripping hands as soon as they left his brother. He became dizzy as he felt himself pulled across his fathers knee. He had just witnessed the reddening of his brothers naked bottom and it struck him, his bottom would soon look the same. �Dad noooooo,� he cried. Mark paid him no mind. He secured him, then removed his pajama bottoms and went to work. Jacob�s eyes widened but before he could absorb the first smack, many others had followed and he found himself racked with sobs as his fathers hand set his bottom ablaze. Jacob knew when they got spanked, their dad usually did slow rhythmic spanks, but these were so fast, his bottom immediately started to burn. Jacob yelped as his father moved to his upper thighs, then back to the concentration of his little round cheeks. Jacob also found himself flailing his arms and kicking his feet as his father continued. Finally the slaps stopped and Jacob felt himself being pulled upright. He quickly threw his hands back and started to rub. To his surprise, his pajama bottoms had been returned. He hadn�t felt his father pull them up. �Jacob!� Jacob slowly looked up at his father. �Yessssss ssirrr.� �That�s quite enough! Take your hands away from your bottom. Stop the crying and wipe those tears away.� Jacob swiped the sleeve of his pajamas across his eyes and wiped away the tears. When his arm dropped to his side, only his hiccups remained. As much as he wanted to rub, he knew better than to disobey. Mark stood looking at the two boys. �Both of you, go to bed.� Both boys scurried as quickly as they could. Mark stood in the doorway of their room. "Do not get dressed in the morning. Don't even get out of bed," he scolded as he left the room and headed down the hall toward David and Nathan�s room. Mark made a quick stop at the linen closet and retrieved the small round paddle that hung on the wall. When he entered David and Nathan�s room, David was sitting up as if he had been waiting for his father. Nathan quickly sat up when he saw what Mark had in his hands. So far, he had always avoided physical confrontation of any kind, but hearing the threat of the belt from Mr. Parker and seeing the paddle in his fathers hand now, he knew he could avoid it no longer. �David!," was all Mark said as he motioned for him to come. Slowly and reluctantly David crawled from his bed and went to his dad. David pointed to the paddle. �You gonna whack me with that thing?� he asked. �I most certainly am!� Mark took a chair and sat it at the end between the boys beds. David bent over and took hold of the seat. He hung his head and waited. He knew he had gotten himself and his little brothers in a whole mess of trouble, and though he didn�t care to get a taste of the paddle, he knew he hadn�t much choice. He also had no intensions of crying in front of Nathan. Mark wrapped his right arm around David�s waist and let the paddle fly. Five swats, then to ten, fifteen and twenty. David bit his lip and let as little cries escape as possible. When Mark lightened his grip on his oldest son, David stood and faced his father. Tears filled his eyes and his voice was shaky. "I'm still getting my ass whipped with your belt tomorrow morning ain't I?" he asked As he swiped the sleeve of his pajamas across his eyes. "You most certainly are," he replied. "Now get to bed.� As David turned and headed for bed, he caught a glimpse of Nathan. His eyes were as big as the moon and his face was a pasty white color. David felt bad for dragging Nathan down with him, still he couldn�t help him now. �Nathan! The calling of his name sent chills down his spine. He had witnessed his fathers handy work with the paddle, and Nathan wanted no part of it. �Nathan! Now!," Mark said in a very angry voice as he smacked his hand with the paddle. Reluctantly, Nathan threw back the covers and slowly crawled from his bed. �I�ve never been paddled before,� he whispered. Mark rested his hand on Nathan�s shoulder. His voice grew soft as he spoke to his son. "You've always been a good kid and you�ve never given me a reason to discipline you in this manner before. I hope this will be enough to put you back on the straight and narrow." Tears welled in Nathan�s eyes as he looked down at the paddle in his fathers hand. �Is it going to hurt alot?� he asked. �It stings quite a bit Nathan, but how much depends on the force I decide to put behind it. That depends on the crime being punished.� Nathan took his eyes off the paddle and looked at his father.� With the police and the stolen truck, smashed pumpkins all over town and an irate Mr. Parker, Nathan knew it was a pretty bad crime. �Time for talking is over son. Take hold of the chair.� Nathan looked at his father then down at the chair. He was afraid, but he didn�t want to get the paddle if he made his father angry for not obeying when he was already in the worse trouble ever. Nathan bent forward and placed one hand on each side of the chair. �Hold it tight!� his father instructed. A wave of fear overwhelmed Nathan when he felt his father secure him by the waist. He let go of the chair and started to stand. Whack, Whack, Whack. The paddle descended quickly �Owwwww, Owwwww Owwwwwwwwwww, Nathan cried. Mark released him when he realized Nathan had let go of the chair. Nathan threw his hands back and started to rub. Mark pointed to the chair. �Nathan!� Nathan shook his head. �That hurts, And I don�t want too,� he cried. Mark realized he shouldn�t have let go. He reached out and took hold of Nathan. �You have ten whacks coming but I could always take off my belt.� Nathan�s eyes widened. He looked at the chair, swallowed the knot in his throat and bent forward. Mark wrapped his arm around Nathan again and set the paddle to work. Whack, Whack, Whack. "Owww Owowww Owwww," Nathan yelped and wailed as the paddle struck his bottom over and over. He didn�t think ten swats would ever end, but finally they stopped coming. He felt his father release him. Nathan stood up, threw his hands back and started rubbing. His father hadn�t lied. That paddle carried one hell of a sting. �Son.� �Yesssss sirrrrr,� Nathan wailed. �Wipe your tears and stop the crying,� Nathan could tell by his fathers tone, he had better obey. Nathan swiped his sleeve across his face and did his best to control his sobs. With red puffy eyes, Nathan looked up at his father. �I hope I never have to paddle you again. Now get to bed!� Nathan felt his fathers words had grown harsh again. He turned and went to his bed, crawled in and laid down. The lights went out and Nathan heard the door close. He turned himself toward the wall and started bawling. The pain was more than he could bare. He couldn�t wait for sleep to come and take him away from the sting that the paddle had left behind. Mark walked back down the hall and took a seat on the floor just outside the linen closet. He stared at the paddle that he still held in his hand. He remembered how much it hurt when he had been in the very same position as a boy under the stern guidance of his own father. It had been very hard for Mark to be so firm with his four boys tonight, but he knew his father was right. This time his boys needed his firm hand if they were going to have a chance. He knew they needed to know that some things were just not acceptable. There would be a much bigger price to pay this time for their actions. Mark threw the paddle into the closet. He made a quick stop at the other end of the hall to check on Ricky. As he entered the room he could hear quiet sobs coming from his bed. "Are you ok Richard?" Mark asked as he sat on the edge of his bed. Ricky turned onto his side. "I�m ok,� he replied. �What do you want?� �I just came to check on you and to see if you were ok.� �Wendy asked you to come didn�t she.� �She asked me, and I said I would.� �Mr. Johnson please tell her I�m sorry.� �Well son, that is something you�re going to have to do the next time you see her.� �Is she mad?� "I think she is more hurt than mad. I will tell her you�re ok. Are you ok Ricky?� �I don�t feel like talking anymore,� he replied. Ricky turned away from Mark. Mark got up and headed for the door �Goodnight Ricky.� Ricky didn�t answer. The alarm sounded promptly at 6 a.m.. Mark crawled from his bed and made his way to the shower. Through showering, dressing and making his bed, he couldn't get his mind off of his first task of the morning. The more he thought about his boys behavior the more he thought his father was right. He picked through his closet and examined his belts that hung on the back of the door. Though tough, Mark knew he had to leave an impression on his boys. Especially David. Mark suddenly remembered. He finished dressing and made his way to his fathers room. He lightly knocked on the door. "Mr. Parker opened the door to greet his son. "What can I do for you this morning Mark?" "I came to borrow "Old Faithful," he replied in a somewhat hesitant voice. Mr. Parker went to the cabinet behind his desk. He opened it and reached inside. "I was wondering if you would remember," When Mr. Parker�s hand emerged, he held an old worn leather belt. He folded it and handed it to Mark. �You�re the only boy in the entire school that took a whippen from this belt more than once.� Mark remembered how he dreaded that belt more than any of his fathers other belts. It was always saved for serious offences. He remembered getting a new respect for his father under the punishment of that old worn belt. The sting sometimes lasted for two days. �Well don�t think it didn�t make an impression,� Mark replied. �Well obviously it did if you�re here to borrow it.� his father stated. �What I want to know Dad, is how this belt came to be known as �Old Faithful?� �When serious trouble came around on occasion, like as in the trouble we had last night, I always knew one session with this belt, would cure most any child from such disobedience again.� �Like when you found out I had been stealing my comics from the corner discount store in town. It was the second time and I told myself it wouldn�t hurt as much because I was older. When it struck me, I knew I was wrong.� �Did you steal anything ever again?� �No sir, I didn�t. Not when I knew that thing would be waiting for me if I got caught.� �Well son, It�s not an easy thing to do and I don�t envy you have four boys to impress. I think the one I�m most worried about is David.� �I know Dad and I hope it will only take once. I think I should go a little easier on Jacob, Matthew and Nathan.� �You won�t be doing them any favors if you do son.� �You�re probably right.� "When your done with that, I expect you to return it where it belongs. Understood?" Mark looked down at the belt. The sight of it still made get shivers down his spine. �It�s heavier than I thought it would be.� �It�s not like any other belt, but use it like it is, and the lesson you intend to impress upon them will be learned.� "Yes sir," Mark replied as he headed toward the door. �Mark!� �Yes Sir.� �Stay focused on the task at hand and don�t let their cries make you ease up on the swing you put behind it. Do you understand son?� Mark nodded. He understood exactly what his father meant. It was still early and most kids slept in on Saturday mornings. Mark walked through the quiet school, passed the cafeteria and made his way up the stairs of the boys dorm. A couple boys hurried passed him on the stairs when they saw what he was holding. �Do you think it is?� the one boy whispered. �I don�t know, but it looks worn just like in the stories.� �Boys!� The two boys stopped on the steps. �Yes sir.� �Behave yourselves and you won�t have anything to worry about.� Mark turned and continued up the stairs. Jacob! Matthew! Get up and go to the bathroom.� Mark left the door open, turned and headed two doors down. When he opened the door, Nathan was still in bed, but David sat waiting in the window seat. "Get up and go to the bathroom,� Mark ordered. David caught a glimpse of the belt his father was holding before he turned away. He hadn�t remembered seeing it before. He jumped up and as he walked past Nathan, he pulled off the covers. �Time to get your ass beat,� he stated. When David walked into the hall he looked at his Dad. He had taken up residence between the two rooms. He was leaning against the wall, one hand holding the buckle, the other supporting the long worn leather belt. David suddenly remembered where he had seen the belt before. Not seen it, but heard about it. He swallowed hard and for the first time, began to worry about the whipping he was about to get. Not in a hurry at all, Nathan slipped on some socks, then headed out the door. Jacob and Matthew came from their room about the time Nathan did. One at a time they noticed their father and his stance. One by one they noticed the belt he was holding. Nathan scurried to the bathroom in hopes that the bathroom would eat him alive and save him from getting whipped. Jacobs eyes widened. He nudged Matthew then pointed. Matt suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He looked at Jacob and they both nodded. It was indeed the long worn belt they had seen just a few weeks earlier when they had broken into Mr. Parkers office. Jacob and Matthew walked slowly toward the bathroom turning a few times to stare at the belt. �We�re gonna die!� Matthew whispered. �No talking boys!� Mark scolded. �You think we could just stay in here?� Matthew asked. �Stupid! This is the boys bathroom. If we don�t come out, he�ll just come in and get us!� Matthew peeked around Jacob toward the door. �How long you think I got before he comes in to get me?� �Don�t be stupid!� Jacob turned and walked away. When Jacob came out, Mark ordered him to stand against the wall just outside David and Nathan�s bedroom door. One by one as the boys exited the bathroom in silence, they were told the same thing. David quickly gave his father a glance as Mark stood towering above them. "You four boys are about to be introduced to an old acquaintance of mine. " My father taught me a lesson or two with him and I can tell you from experience, it left quite an impression on me.� Mark scanned the boys looks. "I still remember my first lesson taught by Old Faithful," he continued as he slid the belt across his open hand before snapping it together. Nathan, Jacob and Matthew all jumped at the loud snap it made. Mark didn�t see David roll his eyes. �Follow me.� he ordered. Mark turned and headed down the hall. The four boys followed their father down the stairs to the first floor. They walked around the stairs and into a back hallway. They followed Mark down another long hall until they came to the end. �Line up!� he ordered "David, Nathan, Matthew and Jacob in that order.� The boys scuffled around and lined up in order. �There will be no talking and you will not move from this wall." This hall contained five other bedrooms that were used for solitary, or children who were sick and needed tending. The rooms were all empty today. Mark slowly walked to the bedroom door and opened it. Mark remembered his introduction to �Old Faithful.� He had been caught off guard when his dad had pulled him aside. It had made the best impression "David, time for the two of you to get acquainted," Mark said as he pointed for David to enter the room. David suddenly didn�t feel so cocky anymore. He gulped and took a deep breathe as he entered the room. He didn�t look back at his little brothers. It's just a belt thought David as he heard Mark close the door. Dad is just trying to psyche us out. David then felt Mark clutch his arm and pull. David lost his balance and fell forward. Before David knew what was happening Mark had wrapped his right arm around his waist, forcing him into a bent position. David felt his fathers weight shift. He struggled, but it didn�t do any good. David closed his eyes tightly awaiting the first blow. Nathan, Jacob and Matthew stood in the hall against the wall waiting for the first descending swat to echo through the door. Nathan whispered. "David�s tough. He won�t cry.� Swoosh whackkkk. All three boys jumped at the loud sound that came from behind the bedroom door. "Ohhhh owwww owww oh owww," David cried loud enough to be quite plainly heard by his brothers. Swoosh whackkkk �Ohhowwwowwowwwwhoo," David cried in one long wail. Swoosh Whackkkk �Oowwwwww shitttttttt,� The boys looked at each other and continued to listen as Mark delivered a total of fifteen whacks with Old Faithful. They listened as David wailed like his life was coming to an end. When the sound of the belt ceased. David�s wails did not. The three boys left standing in the hall awaiting their turns were all crying. That belt had already made an impression on them. As they stood and waited, David�s cries diminished and the door soon opened. The three remaining boys with wide eyes watched as David slowly exited the room and looked at them. His look scared them. They watched as David slowly walked past each of them and headed down the hall. "Nathan! Mark stood in the doorway with the belt dangling from his left hand. �Get inside," he ordered. �I don�t want too!� he cried. Mark walked across the hall and took hold of Nathan by the scruff of the neck. Nathan started bawling. �Don�t whip me with that please!� he begged. Mark guided him into the room and pushed the door closed with his foot. He turned Nathan to face him. �Nathan look at me son.� Nathan slowly looked up. �Ten, just like last night.� Nathan started shaking his head no, but Mark turned him around And bent him forward just as he had done with David. Mark wrapped his arm around Nathan�s waist and lifted the belt. Nathan started to wail before the belt landed. Swoosh whack, whisked the belt. �Owwwwwwwwwwww oww owwwwwww,� Nathan yelled. Swooosh Whackkkkkkk. Nathan jumped and twisted his body, but Mark held firm as he lifted the belt again. Nathan wailed non stop from the first to the tenth swat. Until the paddle had stung his bottom the night before, he had never felt such pain. His cries echoed through the old door and filled the hall. Jacob and Matthew looked at each other in disbelief. The fear they felt the first time they laid eyes on that belt were real. Nathan�s cries continued even after the spanks had stopped. When the door opened, Jacob and Matthew studied Nathan as he walked slower than an old man all the way down the hall. "Matthew," Mark called as he pointed to the room. Matthew backed up right into Jacob as he shook his head no. Mark reached over and grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into the room. He kicked the door closed with his foot. "Noooo Dad nooo please nooo," Matthew cried as Mark struggled with him to get him into a bent position. Matthew kept fighting. Mark grabbed him around the waist, bent him over and lifted him until his feet no longer touched the floor. Mark held him firmly while he kicked his legs wildly. Mark walked over to the chair, placed his leg on the edge and flopped Mathew over his right leg. Mark tossed the belt onto the table and proceeded to hand spank the boy. After ten swats Mark stood Matthew on the ground. "Shall we let Mr. Parker do the honors?" Mark asked. "No sir," Matthew screeched. He watched his father as he retrieved the belt. "Then put your feet together and grab the seat of that chair now!," he ordered. Through wailing sobs, Matthew placed his feet together, bent forward and grabbed the seat of the chair. Mark wrapped his arm around his waist and without hesitation proceeded with the task at hand. Matthew yelled and wept as his father gave him six licks with Old Faithful, but with the threat of a visit to Mr. Parker, he never let go of the chair. Once again the door opened. Matthew walked past Jacob and headed down the hall toward the stairs. His hands rubbed with great vigor as he tried to put out the fire. After hearing the extra spanking through the door that Nathan had gotten, Jacob figured it would be best to cooperate so he quickly entered the room without being told. Mark took him by the arm, led him to the center of the room and told him to touch his knees. Jacob obeyed. For the final time Mark wrapped his arm around his young sons waist and immediately administered his six licks with the old worn belt. Jacob tried to be brave but this belt had a sting like no other belt and he was soon reduced to wailing cries. He stood Jacob up. �You are to go straight to your room, but I want you downstairs and ready to go see the sheriff in an hour.� Jacob ran down the hall, under the stairs, around the corner and up. He passed many kids on the stairs and in the hall. He didn�t care what they thought, he had just gotten the whippen of his life and he just wanted to get away from all of them. Mark made his way through the corridor and back to his fathers room. He knocked, but when no one answered he entered and placed the belt back where it belonged. When Mark entered the hall an overwhelming feeling hit him and tears descended down his cheeks. He wiped them away and quickly retreated to his own room. He seated himself in the old brown leather chair that sat by the window. As he looked down into the darkness of the early morning he began to cry. Even though he had been raised by Mr. Parkers stern hand, he hated having to whip his boys that way. This had definitely taken its toll on him and it wasn�t the way he wanted to get through to them. He was beginning to think his father wasn�t right about the punishment. Mark just hoped that he hadn't pushed them further from him by doing so. Mark continued to sit in the chair as he reflected on the mornings events for the entire hour. His next glance at the daylight outside told him that his time was up. He retreated to his bathroom, washed his face and headed down stairs. When Mark arrived outside his fathers office his four boys were quietly waiting for him. Mark took his boys to meet with the sheriff. They were told they were indeed going to have to go to court since some of the businesses chose to press charges as well as some of the home owners. Mark took them to join the other boys in the task of cleaning the mess they had made. Mark remained firm with his boys throughout their cleanup. David, Matt, Jacob and Nathan worked obediently without protest or smiles for the entire day. When the work was finished they returned to the school again in silence. They followed their father into the school and lined up against the wall again like he told them to do. "I remember saying something to all of you about solitary confinement. I want you to spend what�s left of the day in your rooms and I want you to think about what the sheriff has said. We will discuss court tomorrow when tomorrow gets here. Mark motioned for the boys to go. Mark watched as the boys headed down the hall in a single file line, Nathan and Matt were still rubbing their bottoms. Mark spent the next two hours with his other children that he was sure had missed him. He wanted to make sure Wendy was ok, so he spent a little time talking to her. She worried about her brothers and especially Ricky when her father told her about court. Mark allowed the boys out for dinner but he made them sit at the isolation table. As Mark dished up his plate he couldn't help but see the sadness on his sons faces. The overwhelming sadness that he had felt earlier that morning had lingered with Mark throughout the day. Mark couldn't get their faces out of his mind. It brought back memories to Mark of the sadness he felt after receiving a whipping with �Old Faithful� from his father. He remembered feeling angry. He also remembered the feelings he had toward his father after such an event. Mark had been wrong. He had forgotten how such a spanking really made him feel. He had made a mistake and now he had to fix it. |
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