Ghosts

Ghosts...a “Little One” Story (M/f)

Today was Halloween. I was so excited. Daddy was gonna take me trick or treating. We had gone out last week and bought my costume. I was going to be a martian. It was a neat costume.

After school, I met up with Jannie and Jessie. We started talking about trick or treating. They were telling me about the houses that gave out the best candy.

“Oh, my daddy won’t take me to those. They’re too far away. He only takes me around the block a ways,” I told them.

“Yeah, my daddy, too,” Jannie said. “He doesn’t listen when I tell him where the good places to go are.”

“Maybe my mommy would,” Jessie said.

We both looked at her. “Your Mommy? Yeah, right, Jessie. Who are you kidding? Your mommy is as strict as our daddies,” I said.

It was true. Both Jannie’s Daddy and Jessie’s Mommy were very strict, just like my daddy. We talked some more. “There must be a way for us to get over to those good houses,” I said.

Jannie thought about it. “I guess, but how?”

After much talking and planning, we had it all worked out. It would only take a little bit of scheming and a bit of lying. But we were used to doing those things. We never thought we’d get caught, either. Boy, were we gullible!

I went home and into the house. Mommy was still at work, but Daddy was home. He came home early so we could go trick or treating right after an early dinner.

“Hi, Daddy, I’m home,” I called, as I came into the house.

He came to meet me at the door. He looked at the clock. “Why are you late, little one? I was worried about you,” he said.

“I’m sorry, Daddy, I stopped to talk to Jessie and Jannie. Would it be okay if they came trick or treating with us tonight?”

Daddy nodded. “Sure, that’s no problem, as long as it’s okay with Mr. Peter and Ms. Gina.”

“Yeah, they’re gonna ask,” I explained. “If it’s okay, they’re gonna meet us outside at 6:00, okay?”

“Okay, little one. Come, let’s go get ready for dinner.”

I followed Daddy into the kitchen. Now for the next part of the plan. “Daddy?” I said, when he had me sitting at the table. I was moving the macaroni and cheese around on my plate.

“Yes, little one?” Daddy asked, watching me.

I took a deep breath. “Ummm, I wanna be a ghost for Halloween tonight, instead of the costume you buyed me.”

“But little one, we picked it out specially, and you tried it on, and you said you loved it. Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Yes, Daddy. I wanna be a ghost. My friends are gonna be ghosts, too. We’re gonna look real cool and scary!”

“Well, all right, but it will have to be a very basic ghost; there is no time to make something fancy. Lucky there is an old sheet that we can use.”

“Okay,” I said. Now I was able to eat. I picked up my fork and ate all my mac and cheese.

I watched as Daddy cut the sheet to make me a ghost. It was very simple, just two eyes so I could see, and the ends were tattered. It was perfect. Anyone could have been under that sheet. I hoped Jannie and Jessie were having the same luck with their parents.

When Daddy was done, he held it up. “Well? What do you think, little one?”

“It’s perfect, Daddy, can I try it on?”

“Go potty, brush your teeth, and put your shoes on. Then you can put it on and we can go.”

“Okay, Daddy,” I said, as I ran for the bathroom. I did everything he told me. No use misbehaving now. There would be plenty of time for that later. Man, I could be a sneaky kid!

I ran downstairs and looked out the front window. Perfect. There were two ghosts already standing on my porch. So they had pulled it off! Yes! I pulled the sheet over my head.

“Okay, let's go, Daddy!” I pulled Daddy to the door and pointed to Jessie and Jannie. “They’re here; we’re all ready!”

Daddy and I walked to the sidewalk. Jessie was standing with her Mommy, Gina, and Jannie was standing with her Daddy, Peter. The adults talked for a few minutes while we whispered. We were giggling and plotting to make this Halloween super special.

After Mr. Peter and Ms. Gina walked away, Daddy turned to my friends and said, “Hello Jannie, Hello Jessie. Your ghost costumes are very nice. Happy Halloween!”

They both murmured, “Happy Halloween.”

“Come on, Daddy, let’s go,” I said, pulling him a little.

The four of us went up and down the block, stopping at every house. We tried not to talk to Daddy too much...it would ruin our plan.

When we turned the corner, I said, “Oh, Daddy, that's the house that gives out the really cool treats.” I paused, took a deep breath and looked at my two partners in crime. “We can walk up to it ourselves. You wait here,” I told him.

Daddy watched us as we walked up to the house. We were giggling knowing what we were going to do. We rang the doorbell. Then I turned to see a few kids talking to Daddy. Oh man, right on target. I had some good friends. I knew they were asking Daddy the time.

Next thing Daddy knew, three little ghosts went up to him and took his hand. I watched as he led them to the next house. That’s when Jannie, Jessie, and I made our escape. We were free for a while to go to the really cool houses...the ones with the great treats!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If I had been thinking that my little one might try something so sneaky, I would have realized that these ghosts were much smaller than Samantha and her friends. After a few houses, when they hadn’t uttered a sound, not even a giggle, I decided something was up. They were being awfully quiet.

At the next house, I insisted on walking up to the door with them. After the people put the candy into their bags, I said, “You need to say thank you when people give you candy.”

They said, “Thank you” and my ears perked up. Their voices sounded way too young. I waited until we walked to the sidewalk again and then I pulled off the sheets. There in front of me, were three five year olds from up the street...Kimmi, Gracie, and Nikki.

I raised my eyebrows real wide. “What are you girls doing?” I asked.

None of them answered. I led them over to the corner and kneeled down so I was on the same level. “Do you girls know where Samantha, Jessie, and Jannie are? And do your parents know where you are?”

Kimmi shook her head. “No, sir, Sammie just told us to stay with you.”

“Yeah,” Gracie said, “She gived us each two quarters to be ghosts.”

Nikki just nodded. She was shy and didn’t say much.

I slapped my hand to my head. I couldn’t believe this. Not only had my little one tricked me, but she managed to trick these little girls. Boy was she going to be in BIG trouble when I got my hands on her.

I looked down at the three little girls. “Well, let’s take you home. I think your parents will be worried.”

I escorted the three of them to their respective houses and told their parents where and how I found them. They were relieved, of course, and I assured them that Samantha would be dealt with.

I walked a few blocks away, wondering where my little one could be. I searched up and down the streets until I saw three little ghosts, slightly bigger than the ones I had just had with me.

“Samantha! Jannie! Jessie! Is that you?” I shouted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a good half hour since we had ditched Daddy. We had gone to all the really cool houses, and were making our way back. We hadn’t entirely figured out how we were going to make the switch back, but figured it wouldn’t be too hard.

It was when we heard our names, that all three of us jumped. We were about three blocks away from my house. I turned in the direction of the shout and saw my Daddy. He did not look very happy.

“Uh oh,” I whispered to my co-conspirators.

We had no choice but to walk over to Daddy. He was standing with his hands on his hips. When we got right next to him, he lifted off my sheet. I looked into his eyes and said, “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hello, Samantha Karen. I thought you knew better than to go off on your own like this. I think Halloween is over for you three,” he said sternly.

I looked at Jannie and Jessie and we all looked down and murmured, “Yes, sir.”

Daddy walked Jannie to her door. I could tell by the look on Mr. Peter’s face that he was not happy with what Daddy was telling him. I felt bad for Jannie. I knew that both her parents, but especially her daddy, were very strict with her. I had an idea what would be happening after they closed the door.

I then followed Daddy as he delivered Jessie to Ms. Gina. She frowned as Daddy explained what we did. I saw her smack Jessie’s bottom and shoo her into the house. I didn’t even want to think of what would happen to her as well. It seemed that all my friends’ parents were pretty strict when it came to the behavior of us kids.

I was quiet as Daddy led me back to the house. The house was dark and quiet. Daddy had left a big bowl of candy on our porch for trick or treaters. I was surprised to still see some left in it. I had thought for sure that the first kid would have taken it all.

We went in. Daddy told me to go up to my room and put my pajamas on. He said he’d be right up. I told him to take his time and I slowly ascended the stairs.

~~~~~~~~~~

I put Samantha’s sheet on the back of a dining room chair and sunk down into it. I could not believe the way she had tricked me. I was very angry and upset and knew I had to calm down some before I went up to talk to her.

I got up and walked into the kitchen and washed the dishes from dinner. I then went into the den to check messages. There was one from Denise saying she had to work late. I couldn’t believe my wife had to work late on Halloween, but oh well. I had other things to deal with than this.

Finally I knew I had calmed down. I walked up the stairs slowly and knocked on Samantha’s door. I heard a very low “Come in” and opened the door to see my little one laying on her bed, already in her pajamas.

I went in and sat on the edge of her bed and just stared at her. “Well, young lady, what do you have to say for yourself?”

~~~~~~~~~~

I looked up at Daddy and said, “I’m sorry, Daddy, but we just wanted to have some grown-up fun.”

“Grown-up fun? What do you mean by that, young lady?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I dunno, like going by ourselves, without parents along,” I explained. I wasn’t really sure myself what I meant.

“I see. Well, you know perfectly well that is not allowed. I cannot believe you took it upon yourself to do a thing like this.”

I looked back at Daddy. “Yes, sir, I guess I’m in big trouble, huh?”

When Daddy nodded, I said, “Well, it was fun, though. We got to go to some houses you wouldn’t have taken us to. And I got some really neat treats.”

I guess it was kind of stupid to be smiling and bragging about what we had done, but like I said, I hardly knew any better. Daddy was not impressed and told me so.

Daddy frowned. “Fun, huh? Well, I don't think that what comes next will be so fun. I am going to check all your candy and it will all be off limits for several days, young lady.”

I don’t know what came over me. I should have been all subdued and behaving at this point, but anger stirred in me from somewhere and I shouted, “Daddy, you treat me like a baby! I just wanted to do something BIG.”

Daddy looked down at me, surprised. He said, “Well, Samantha, big girls do not deceive their parents and break the rules, not if they know what is good for them.”

Then he pulled the ruler out from nowhere. I took one look at it and the tears came tumbling down. I hated that thing. It hurt worse than the hairbrush, and Daddy knew it.

Daddy pulled me off the bed and stood me in front of him. He looked right into my eyes and said, “Samantha Karen, you are in very big trouble. Do you understand why I am going to paddle you?”

I shook my head no and wiped at the tears. I sniffled and said, “No, why, Daddy? Just cuz I wanted to be a big girl?”

“No, because you broke the rule about going off on your own, which could be dangerous. And because you deliberately planned to do it; it wasn't an accident. And because you pulled a trick to make me think you were somewhere you weren't, which is like lying, and got your friends in trouble, too. And because I don't like your attitude at all, young lady.”

Wow, that sounded like a lot. I thought about what Daddy said. And he was right. I had done all those things. Why, oh why didn’t I think of all this before I went and did these terrible things? I never seemed to learn. I was only seven. It was going to be a lot of years before I was a grown up. Who knew how many more spankings I would receive until I was BIG?

My lower lip started to tremble as I looked at Daddy. “So, you're real mad at me, huh, Daddy?”

“Samantha, I’m not angry, but I am very unhappy at what you did, and I am going to be very strict with you, young lady. But you should know that I still love you and I always will, no matter what. But now it is time for your paddling.”

“Okay, Daddy,” I said, sighing. I waited for him to pull down my bottoms. But when I took a second look at that ruler, I shrunk back. “No, pleeease, Daddy, I'm a little girl, I'm sorry! Please don't spank me with that!” I cried.

But Daddy wasn’t having any of that. “Samantha Karen, you acted very, very naughty tonight, on purpose. You are getting the ruler.”

With that, Daddy pulled my pajama bottoms and my panties down to my ankles and lifted me over his lap. He raised his hand and brought that horrible ruler down on my bare bottom.

{CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!}

“Owwwwwwww!” I screamed. Man, that hurt! “Daddddy! I'm sorrry!”

{CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} “You will not {CRR-AACK!} go off by {CRR-AACK!} yourself, {CRR-AACK!} young lady. {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} You will not {CRR-AACK!} scheme to {CRR-AACK!} break the rules.” {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!}

I continued to cry and wriggle around on Daddy’s lap. That ruler was hurting me so much. “Owwwwww, yes, sir! I'm sorry, Daddddy!” I cried.

{CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} “You will not {CRR-AACK!} lure other children {CRR-AACK!} into misbehavior {CRR-AACK!} and you will not {CRR-AACK!} try to make me think {CRR-AACK!} you are somewhere {CRR-AACK!} that you really aren't.” {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!}

I somehow knew that paying the little kids to trade places with us would backfire, and I had lost $1.50 of my own money. Jannie and Jessie had said they didn’t have any and since it was my idea, they said I had to be the one to pay. Boy, was I paying now!

“Owwwwww, okay, sir, I won't do it again, I’m sorry, it was stupid!” I squealed. “Waaaaaaaaaaah!”

Daddy didn’t react to my last statement; he just kept bringing that darn ruler down on my backside.

{CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!} {CRR-AACK!}

“All right, Samantha, your spanking is over,” Daddy said, as he put down the ruler. He stood me up and rubbed my bottom. I felt it and it was hot to the touch. I began to rub like crazy.

“That hurt, Daddy, I'm sorrrrry!” I cried, looking at Daddy.

He nodded and helped me to replace my bottoms. He pulled me into his lap and settled me so that I was resting my knees on him. I cried into his chest and he put his arms around me and hugged me to him.

“I am sure that you are sorry, little one, but you know that when you act up, I have to punish you. I am sorry to do it, but that is how you learn better. Spankings are supposed to hurt, and your behavior was extra naughty this time,” Daddy explained.

He always explained my actions...he was good that way.

I hugged him tight. “I'm sorry, Daddy that I was so bad. How come I do that, Daddy?”

“Oh, little one, you are not bad, and you weren't bad. But your behavior was very naughty. I guess you just have to push the limits, and I have to remind you of what is okay and what is naughty.”

I nodded. I think I understood. “I sure have a hard time learning, Daddy,” I said.

Daddy smiled and hugged me tight and lovingly. We sat that way for a long time. I started thinking about my friends. “Daddy?”

He looked at me. “Yes, little one?”

“Do you think Jessie and Jannie are in a lot of trouble, too?”

Daddy nodded. “Yes, I think that they are. I suspect that they got spankings, too. Both Peter and Gina were very upset when I told them what you three had been up to.”

“Yeah. We just wanted to be big. But I guess we gotta wait, huh?”

“Yes, being big will come soon enough. What you did tonight was very dangerous. Now I forgive you, little one, but you are grounded for two days, and your Halloween candy will wait until after that, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir, I do,” I said. Then I climbed off Daddy’s lap and went to sit on my bed. I was feeling a little uneasy and didn’t know what from.

Daddy must have sensed it cuz he came over and sat down next to me. He took my hands in his and said, “I want you to remember that no matter what, I still love you, little one.”

I smiled. “I love you, too. But Daddy? Will I ever be good?”

“You are good a lot of the time, just not always for very long together. I don't know when that will change, but I am sure that you are always very good inside.”

“Really?” I asked. Daddy nodded. “Okay,” I said.

“Now it’s time for this little one to go to sleep. It’s very late, and you had a busy night,” Daddy said sternly.

I looked at the clock. It wasn’t that late, but I knew not to argue with him. I went to brush my teeth and I hadn’t even had any of my Halloween candy. But, considering what I did, I guessed I got off pretty good.

I gave Daddy a big hug and a kiss and he tucked me into bed. Next year, I decided, I wasn’t gonna be a ghost. They weren’t very scary, after all.

The end.