| Chapter Twenty-One Tough Decisions |
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| Jessica could hear the sounds of footsteps in the hall as she flipped onto her side, and snuggled further down into the warm spot in her bed. It didn�t feel like Christmas was just around the corner until you actually got to stay in bed on a week day, instead of getting up and hurrying all around to make it to school before the first bell rang. It was nice to be able to stay snuggled in bed on a cold winter day. Jessica peeked out of the covers at the clock. It was barely 7 a.m. As she stared at Wendy's empty bed, she felt funny. Wendy was rarely ever up before her, and why hadn�t Nadia or Sarah come in to snuggle like they usually did. Maybe she had slept too hard to hear anything. Jessica lay there a few more minutes with the covers over her head. She thought maybe everyone had gotten an early start, so she kicked off her covers, and jumped out of bed. She gathered her clothes and headed for the bathroom. By the time she made it to the cafeteria for breakfast, there were just a few people left in line. Being late seemed to have its advantages because she only stood in line for a couple of minutes before she received her food. Jessica then made her way toward her usual table and sat down. "About time you got out of bed!" David said as he sat down beside her. �Breakfast is almost over. Were you able to get Wendy up, or is she going to sleep until noon?" he asked. Jessica suddenly developed a knot in her stomach as she looked up at David. "Wendy�s already up!" she stated. "I haven't seen her," he replied. David quickly stood up and scanned the room. He saw no sign of Wendy anywhere. "Ok, have any of you seen Wendy at all this morning?" he asked as he scanned the faces of the children who sat at the table with him. They all shook their heads no. David again looked around the room. When he saw Ricky�s roommate a few tables away, he went over to talk to him. When David turned back toward their table, he motioned for Jessica. She jumped up and walked quickly to her older brother. �I think we have a problem. Ricky wasn�t in his bed this morning either.� �You think they actually ran off together?� Jessica asked. �That�s exactly what I think, and we have to tell Dad.� David grabbed Jessica�s hand and they headed out the door to look for Mark. Jessica said �I don�t understand why she would run away, David. She was looking forward to Christmas and presents.� �I know, but she has been in so much trouble these last few days. I don�t think she is thinking about any of that right now.� David and Jessica walked up and down the halls looking for Mark, but they couldn�t find him, so they returned to the cafeteria. "Nadia? Sarah? Did you two sneak in Wendy�s room this morning like you always do?" David asked. "We went there, David, but Wendy wasn't in her bed," Sarah answered. "She was up already," Nadia stated. Before David could respond, he saw Mark walk into the cafeteria. Wendy wasn�t with him. Both David and Jessica hurried toward him. As they approached, Mark could tell something was wrong. "Is Wendy with you?" David asked. "No, Wendy isn�t with me. She is supposed to be in her room. I just came from there, and I am not the least bit happy about her disobeying me again, so I came down here to find her.� Jessica reached out and touched Marks arm. �Daddy, when I got up this morning, her bed was empty. No one has seen her anywhere.� �No one has seen Ricky either,� David added. Marks eyes grew big. �Well, obviously our two little chicks have flown the coup.� �You think they did actually run away, Dad?� David asked �That is what it looks like to me. Take care of your brothers and sisters. I will be back in a little while.� David, Jessica and the other children watched as their father talked with Patricia, and Mr. Stein. David and Jessica both knew how serious this was, and when their dad and Mr. Stein left in a hurry, they became worried for Wendy and Ricky�s safety. The world can be a big scary place when you�re out in it alone. When breakfast was over, David and Jessica kept their siblings busy with games and television in one of the family rooms. When Mark entered, David and Jessica stood. Mark motioned for the children to gather. "It appears that Wendy and Ricky have run away from the school, children.� "Noooo," Alex cried, as she ran from the room. Missy was right behind her. "Daddyyyy, you have to go find her and bring her back," Nadia cried as she ran to him. Mark scooped her up and walked to Sarah, who had burst into tears. He knelt down to her side and lifted her chin. "Sarah Bean, please be my brave girl and watch Nadia for me, ok?" he asked as he wiped her tears. "Daddy, please find her. I need her," Sarah cried. "I need her, Daddy." �I know you do sweetheart, and I am going to go find her, but I need you to be my big girl, so I don�t have to worry about you while I look for Wendy.� Sarah wiped her tears, and looked up at Mark. �Ok, Daddy, I will be brave, but please find her.� Mark smiled and patted the top of her head. �I will find her, don�t worry. David, Jessica. Take your sisters and watch them," he handed Nadia to David and quickly left the room. Mark and Kevin headed out of the building, jumped into his car and headed into town. "Wake up, Wendy! Wake up!" Ricky called as he tried to take his arm from around her. Wendy stirred a little, but as she began to wake, the cold December air reminded her of where she was. "I�m cold, Ricky, and where are we?" "I don't know. We fell asleep sometime during the night so I'm not sure," he replied. "Be careful," she scolded as he slowly stood up to see where they were. They weren't moving anymore which was good. �We're at a restaurant," he hummed in delight. �We are around people.� "We have to go inside. I'm really cold," Wendy stuttered. �I'm hungry too, Ricky.� He suddenly remembered. "Ohhh, I have money! We can get something warm." Ricky reached for Wendy�s arm, pulled her from her seated position and brushed the hay from her clothes. "We will go inside and have some cocoa to warm you up fast. Just drink it slow so we can stay inside until I figure what to do next," he stated. Ricky climbed from the truck and helped Wendy down. They entered the diner together and took a seat. "What are you two kids doing out this early?" the waitress asked. "We need some hot cocoa," Ricky stated. She stared at them and then quickly brought them some cocoa. "Do you have money, son?" she asked. Ricky reached in his pocket and pulled out a ten-dollar bill to show the waitress. Wendy's eyes popped open in surprise. "K kid, just checking," she replied. Wendy held the cup of cocoa in her hands, but her fingers were so cold she couldn't feel the heat that radiated from the cup. Ricky checked the diner over, looking for any sign that would tell them where they were. "Where did you get that money from, Ricky?" Wendy asked. "I can't tell you about the money, Wendy, so don't ask me," he replied. Knowing from his answer, that he had to have stolen it from his father, Wendy decided to not push him for more answers. "Where are we?" she asked. "Don't know," Ricky replied. "And I can't really ask." "Just ask her how far it is to Jacksonville and that will tell you how far we went," she replied. Ricky looked at her in amazement. He knew she was smart but...Ricky walked over to the waitress and asked her. When he returned his face had grown pale. "How far, Ricky?" she asked. "We are three hundred and fifty miles from Jacksonville," he replied in disbelief. Wendy�s mouth dropped open. �We got real far, didn�t we? You think they will look for us?� �I�m sure they�re already looking.� Wendy looked around the diner. It felt like a good place to be. There were quite a few people inside for how early it was. Wendy turned and looked at Ricky. �I�ve been thinking, Ricky. I think we should go back before it�s too late to go back. �Well I agree. I think you should go back, but I�m not going back! I can�t go back there, Wendy.� �But you promised me you wouldn�t leave me. You have to go back with me. I can�t be at that place without you.� �I promise to come back and get you someday, but for now you will have to trust me.� Tears developed in the corners of Wendy�s eyes, �I don�t know if I can trust you. You broke your promise to me already, so you could break it again.� Just as Ricky started to answer, the waitress walked up to their table and looked down at the two trouble-faced children. Wendy quickly wiped her tears away. "Well I've seen just about all I need to see," the waitress stated. "I think you all just need to come with me.� Ricky and Wendy stared at the lady in blue. Ricky picked up his backpack and scooted out of the booth. He turned, took Wendy�s hand, and pulled her out. They both followed the waitress through the restaurant and into a back office. "Suppose you tell me just why you two youngins come traipsin in this restaurant half frozen, and with no parents. Ya all run away from home, didn't ya?" she asked. Wendy looked at Ricky for the answer. When Ricky kept quiet, Wendy spoke up. �We didn�t exactly run away from home, We ran away from����� �Shut up!� Ricky said as he grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her away from Francine. Shocked, Wendy stopped talking, and looked at the floor. "You two came all the way from Jacksonville? That where you're from?" She asked. Wendy looked over at Ricky, then nodded. Ricky stood firm, and did not answer. �Well then. Why don't you just tell me all about it," the waitress asked, as she took a seat in the office chair. Back in Jacksonville, Mark and Kevin had made their way back to the police station with pictures of both Wendy and Ricky. They then drove around to the park and a few other places, but there was no sign of the children. They then returned to the police station. "Go back to the school and I will make some calls to see if any other stations have picked them up. They couldn't have gotten too far," the sheriff stated. Mark and Kevin decided to drive to the next town to ask around and see if anyone had seen Wendy or Ricky. When they had no luck with that, they headed back to the school. They made a quick stop back by the sheriffs, but the calls that he had made, turned up nothing. Back at the diner some 350 miles away from their home, Wendy was telling the waitress all about their dilemma. "Well young lady, that's quite a story you got there. Everything she say, true?" she asked as she looked at Ricky. He looked up from the floor and slowly nodded in agreement. Well I know you don't wanna go back but it's a cruel mean world out there. From what Wendy here says, seems that place ain�t so bad. Why don't we give the folks at that school a call so they don't have to worry bout you none. Ok?" she asked as she picked up a piece of paper to write the number on. "NOOO!" Ricky yelled as he jumped up. "I'm not going back there, ever!" he turned around and placed his hands on Wendy's shoulders. "I wish you hadn't followed me. This ruins everything.� He turned around and walked out of the room. Wendy looked at the waitress in shock. Ricky had never been like this with her before. Didn�t he love her anymore? Wendy burst into tears. The waitress took a seat next to Wendy and wrapped her arms around her. �It will all be ok, Darlin. I promise.� It seemed as if everyone always made one promise after another, but Wendy was beginning to wonder if it were a lie to promise anyone anything. After all, could it even be possible to keep a promise? Wendy wiped her tears and looked at the waitress. "How do I call home?" Wendy asked as she picked up the phone. The waitress quickly looked up the area code and entered the numbers. Wendy added the remaining numbers that would connect her to the school. When the phone started to ring, Wendy felt scared, so she quickly handed the phone to the waitress. �I�m scared. Ask for Mark Johnson.� "Barrington Hall," a voice said on the other end of the phone. "Ya a um, may I speak to a Mark Johnson please?" the waitress asked. "Can I take a message, and have him call you back?" "No, no. I need to talk with him right now.� "Ohh ok. Let me see if I can find him.� "Who was that?" Wendy asked. "Some boy. He is gonna go get your Daddy, ok!" Several minutes passed before the waitress heard the phone being picked up again. "This is Mark Johnson. Can I help you," he said into the phone. "Umm uh yes, sir. My name is Francine Watkins, and I work at the I-5 diner over in Braxton. Are you missing a couple a youngins?" she asked. "Wendy and Ricky are with you?" he asked in an ecstatic voice. "Yes, sir. A boy and a girl dressed in school uniforms. I�m guessin that would be them, sir." "Wait. Did you say Braxton?� he asked. "Yes, sir I did," she replied. �I have to tell you Mr. Johnson. You have one brave and bright little girl here. She really wants to come home." Wendy paced back and forth in the room as Francine spoke to Mark. Francine could tell that Wendy was frightened so she told Mark everything that Wendy had told her. As she spoke to Mark, Wendy finally sat still. "Yes, sir. She�s right here," Francine said as she handed the phone to Wendy. "Your daddy sounds nice darlin, but very worried about you and Ricky. Talk to your daddy, sweetie." Wendy took the phone from her, and put it to her ear. "Hi, Daddy.� "Wendy, are you ok honey?" he asked. "I'm fine, Daddy, but can you come get us, please?" she asked as she started to cry. �How could you run off like that, young lady? I�ve been worried sick about you.� �You have?� Shocked, Mark answered. �Well of course I have. Now you stay right where you are, and don�t you leave even if Ricky does. I am on my way, and don�t think we aren�t going to have a talk about this.� "I�m sorry, Daddy. I will stay right here," Wendy replied. She then handed the phone back to Francine. Francine gave him instructions on how to get there, and then hung up. Wendy stood there and stared at her. "What�s the matter, Darlin?" she asked. "You a country singer, or something?" Wendy asked. "Why do you think that, Darlin?" "Cause you sound like one, and I like the way you talk," Wendy replied. Francine took a seat in the office chair again, and pulled Wendy before her. �You feel like telling me just why the two of you ran away? I mean Mark sounds like a great person to have for a daddy.� �It�s a long story, but I haven�t been behaving myself too much lately, and Daddy grounded me. I disobeyed that, so he gave me a whippen�, but I still didn�t stay in my room. I snuck out to see Ricky, so Daddy whipped me again, then Mr. Parker decided Ricky and I had broken the rules, and he gave both of us a whippen�, so Ricky ran away and I followed him.� �Ohh I see. Who is this Mr. Parker?� �He is the principal of the school. If he has to talk to you, it means trouble, and now when we go back, I�m sure I�m gonna get another whippen�, but I don�t think I can take another one cause my bottom hurts too much now from the one he gave me yesterday.� �Wendy, I know how you feel. I know no one wants to take a trip across their daddy�s knee, or a trip to the woodshed, but when you�re a child, you have to obey your folks. You like this Mark for a Daddy?� Wendy nodded. �You think he is mean to you?� Wendy wiped her eyes, and looked up at the ceiling, then back at Francine. �He isn�t mean to me. If he punishes me, I deserve it.� �Then you got your answer, sweetie pie. Sounds like that school is not such a bad place to be, if ya ain�t got a family to go home to.� �Can I ask you something?� �Sure darlin. What is it?� �When you were a kid, did you do bad things sometimes?� Francine waved her hand through the air. �Oh heck, darlin, I spent more time in the barn, than any of my brothers or sisters. I�m the middle child of seven. Right in the middle, and I was the wildest out of the bunch. We lived on a big farm way out of town. Best place to grow up, but I was always doin somethin wrong. When I was younger, I�d do just the opposite of what my momma said to do, and quicker than I could blink, I�d find myself over her knee at the kitchen table, while that old wooden spoon of hers, danced all over my naughty little behind. I usually behaved for a day or two after that, but by the time I was eight years old, I learned how to run out of the kitchen door before she could get that spoon off of the hook.� Wendy didn�t know why, but she found herself mesmerized by Francine�s tale. Wendy took a seat and continued to listen. �Finally after escapin a couple trips across Momma�s knee, Daddy took over. I won�t ever forget my first trip to the barn with Daddy. I had sassed Momma several times, and when she reached for the spoon, I tore out of that kitchen, took myself down to the creek that flowed through our farm, and found myself a tree to climb. I stayed down there a few hours, then went back to the house. By then, Momma wasn�t usually mad anymore, and the spoon was back on the hook. When I went back to the house, I crept up onto the back porch and peeked through the screen into the kitchen. Momma wasn�t there and the spoon was back on the hook so I figured I was safe. I slipped through the screen and started to skip through the kitchen, then I heard my Daddy�s voice. I recognized his stern tone from when he spoke to my two older brothers, and my older sister. I knew it was his �Takin a trip to the barn voice� Daddy was suppose to be working the fields, and it was way past lunch so I knew he was there because of me. I went over and stood in front of him. He didn�t ask me no questions. He told me he talked to Momma, and he knew how I�d been behavin. He scolded me for havin to leave the fields to come tend to me, when I should just be mindin my Momma. I was only eight years old, so he didn�t whoop me with his belt like he did my brothers. He told me to go get the spoon and he made me carry it while I walked in front of him to the barn. Soon as we got inside, Daddy took a seat on the hay. He gave me quite a stern lecture, and I wasn�t about to disobey him. He told me all about what that spoon was for, and what he was gonna do to my naughty little behind with it. I was scared out of my wits and by that time, I was wishin I�d just stayed in the kitchen and not run off. I had to tell Daddy why I was in the barn, and why I was getting my punishment from him instead of from Momma. When Daddy said it was time, I had to reach up under my own dress and remove my panties, then I had to ask Daddy for my spankin, then I had to put myself across his knee. I had to hand Daddy that awful spoon, and boy let me tell you, Daddy wasn�t lyin one bit. It was my first spankin from Daddy, and my first trip to the barn, and he made sure I�d never forget it. I didn�t know that spoon could do what it did that day. I kicked and screamed like I didn�t know I could. When Daddy finally let me up, I decided I was never gonna run from Momma again. Daddy made me carry that spoon back to the house, and hang it on the hook. I ran to Momma and cried my eyes out. Daddy went back to work, and I nursed my sore behind. I think I could have gotten away with Momma being the one to spank me if I hadn�t took advantage. Daddy took over most of my discipline after that, and for the next couple years, I was pretty well behaved. I think somewhere around eleven I got myself an attitude. I wound up takin my share of trips to the barn with Daddy, and the spoon didn�t go with us. Daddy�s belt came off instead. As much as I dreaded them trips, and that belt, I couldn�t seem to keep myself out of trouble.� �Wow, That�s an incredible story, Francine. Do you still see your parents?� �I have supper every Sunday with my entire family out at Momma and Daddy�s farm, and you know what?� �What?� �That wooden spoon is still hangin on the hook.� �It is?� �Yup, it is, and I�ve even takin it down a couple times to swat my own kids when they misbehave.� As Wendy started to speak, the door opened, and a man peeked his head in. �Francine, I need you out here!� He then closed the door. �Well, Young lady, I have to get busy, and I want you to help me keep Ricky busy so he don't run off before they get here.� Francine took Wendy by the hand. �Let�s not tell him they are on their way. Ok?� Wendy smiled at Francine. She liked her a lot. Mark told his children that Wendy and Ricky had been found, and that they were on their way to get them. "I sure would like to hear that boy�s excuse for running this time.� Kevin asked as they headed down the hall. �The boy is angry, Kevin. I think we need to try and get to the bottom of what�s bothering him.� �Ohhh I intend to do just that!� �I think you should talk to him, and see if you can�t find out what is bothering him.� Kevin stopped and looked at Mark. �You mean to tell me that your daughter has run off and you�re not going to punish her for it?� �I know why Wendy left. She went to try and get Ricky to come back. That is what the lady at the diner said, so right now, I have no intentions on punishing her.� �Well she may not have run away, but Richard did, and I don�t intend to let it go unpunished.� �Well just remember to talk to him either before you punish him or after. Either way, talk to him about why he ran, and what can be done to avoid it in the future.� �You�re too easy on your kids, Mark.� Mark glanced at Kevin, then started the car. Back in the diner, Francine had given Wendy the task of clearing tables. She pulled Ricky aside, and they had a quiet discussion. "I don't know what to do, but I can't go back there. Everything would have been fine if Wendy hadn't followed me. Now when she gets back there, her dad is going to spank her again and it will be my fault," he stated as he looked at the floor. Francine wanted Ricky to know that she had already explained everything to Mark and that she probably wasn�t going to be punished, but then he would know they were coming, and he would probably run again. "Well maybe you should call and explain to her dad what happened? Maybe he won't spank her," she replied. �I can�t do that. I want her to go back, but I can�t call until I am ready to go on my way. I want to spend a little time with her before I leave, then I will call.� �Well young man, I have to get back to work. You can help around here until you decide where you want to go, then you can say your goodbye�s to Wendy, and I�ll make sure she gets back to where she belongs.� �You would do that for me?� �Certainly would, Darlin. Now why don�t you make yourself useful.� Francine said, as she made her way behind the counter to refill some coffee. Ricky followed her behind the counter. The day went on and Ricky had distracted himself with work around the small diner. Wendy had become tired so she found an old cot in a back room and decided to take a nap. Filling shakers, wiping tables and taking out trash had kept him quite busy; so busy, that he hadn't even noticed how long he had actually been working. He really enjoyed the work, and Francine was really nice, so Ricky didn't mind helping her at all. Wendy had woken from her nap and had joined Francine behind the counter. Ricky was clearing tables in the back and Wendy was filling napkin holders, when Mark and Kevin walked in. A rush of panic hit Wendy like a ton of bricks when she saw her father. Though she felt she hadn�t done anything wrong, seeing her father scared her, because her dad might see it differently. As Mark and Kevin took a seat at the counter, Wendy's heart began to pound and her stomach tightened. "Where is Ricky?" Kevin asked as he looked sternly at Wendy. "Well hello there, strangers," Francine recited. "Don't you worry, we got him working on the back tables." Kevin started to turn toward the back but Mark stopped him. "Don't go back there just yet.� Mark then walked around behind the counter. Wendy watched him approach her, and she suddenly felt ill. Mark reached out and took her by the arm. "Young Lady! Come with me," Mark ordered with a very stern face. She had seen that face way too many times for her liking, but she knew she had no choice. Please don't spank me here. Please don't spank me here. Please don't spank me here. She said to herself as she set down the cup she was holding, and willingly went with him. Looking directly at her father she waited. Mark seated himself on one of the stools at the bar, and glared into his child�s eyes. "Are you frightened?" he asked as he lightly squeezed her arm. Wendy nodded and made a couple hiccup sounds. "Why are you scared, Wendy?� he asked. "I don't know, Daddy," she whispered. "Ohh but I think you do know why you�re scared. "You don't know how badly I'm going to spank that bottom of yours and that is why you're scared isn't it?� She replied again with a slight nod of her head, along with a few more hiccups and sniffles at the words her father spoke. Francine watched in surprise at Mark�s technique of handling his child. "I'm not going to tell you because I want that feeling of fear to stay with you for awhile. I want you to understand how scared I was when I couldn't find you anywhere, do you understand?" Wendy nodded then looked at Francine. Mark then pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. "I am so glad you are safe," he stated. "I am also glad that you asked for help. Now go on back to doing what ever Francine asked you to do," He turned her around, and gave her a smack to the bottom. Wendy quickly obeyed. "Did you say the boy was back there?� Mark asked, as he turned to Francine. "Uhh yes, he was wiping tables and I gave him a job in the back store room too, so he could be back there by now," she replied, as the two strange men walked around the corner. There were just a couple of customers in the restaurant and they seemed intrigued by the events that were taking place. Francine went to Wendy and stroked her hair. "It's gonna be alright, Darlin. You did the right thing, Trust me, sweetie pie, your Daddy isn't gonna tan your hide. You don't have to be scared, cause I know these kind of things," she stated as she squeezed Wendy's shoulders and walked away to finish her work. "Ricky?" Kevin called as he and Mark entered the storeroom. Ricky dropped the bag he was holding and quickly turned around. He was shocked to see the two men standing there. He immediately started backing away and shaking his head no. "It's time to go back now, Richard. I want you to set a good example for Wendy, by behaving yourself,� Kevin instructed. "I don't want to go back," he replied. "Well, it's either Barrington or Juvenile Hall. You decide," Kevin scolded. Ricky could tell by the look on Kevin�s face that he was licked. He would have to go back for now. He knew he would just have to try again later. "Ok. I'll go back with you, but Mark, you have to know Wendy didn't run away with me." "Ohh really? When I woke up this morning she wasn't in her bed. She is here with you. That looks like running away to me," he stated as he crossed his arms. "Would you care to explain what you mean?" Ricky explained the whole situation and both men listened with intrigue. Mark thanked Ricky for the explanation. He knew Ricky was telling the truth, since it was the same thing that Francine had told him. He told Ricky that he was to sit in the back seat and was not speak to her for the entire trip home. Mark still had a lesson that he thought Wendy needed to be taught. Mark, Kevin and Ricky exited the back storeroom and made their way into the dining room where Francine was sitting with Wendy. As they approached Wendy glanced at Ricky to see if he was mad at her. "Thank you for being so nice to Wendy and me,' Ricky stated as he hugged Francine. "You just make sure you quit runnin off and call me once in awhile if your daddy says its ok," she replied as she pulled Wendy into her arms and squeezed them both, until neither one of them could breathe. Kevin and Mark thanked her for taking care of their two miscreants, and as they left the diner, Kevin clutched onto Ricky. Ricky�s backside suddenly began to throb, for he knew his actions had earned him another whipping. He did not want to go back. |