Nunley's...a twin story (M/ff)

(c) 1999 by Sampast and Don A. Landhill

 

 

It was early spring, the year the twins were twelve.  Lisa was pregnant and about due to have her second baby.  Little Stephen was already two years old.  Charlie’s parents, Rose and Harry Clemente, had decided to move to Freeport, which was right next to Merrick, the town Charlie and his family lived in.  Now with another grandchild on the way, they felt that New Jersey was too far away.  They wanted to be close to all their grandchildren.  After all, Bob and his family lived close by, too.

 

It had been decided that Robin, Jennifer and Stephen would spend the weekend with Nana and Grampsie while their mother was in the hospital having the baby.  They weren’t too happy about it, at all.  Jennifer, of course, wasn’t too happy about anything these days.  Charlie was afraid he wouldn’t make it through her teen years.  She was unhappy and sullen about everything.

 

Robin, on the other hand, was excited about the new baby.  She liked taking care of Stephen, and helping her mom out with him.  She was hoping, though, that this baby would be a girl.  Charlie was just hoping it would be healthy.

 

Charlie dropped Stephen and the twins off at their grandparents early Friday afternoon, after school.  “We’ll pick you up on Sunday.  Be good,” he told them.

 

“We will, Daddy.  I love you,” Robin said, giving her dad a big hug and a kiss.

 

Charlie hugged and kissed Robin back.  He gave Stephen a hug and a kiss and a pat on the head.  Then he stood and waited for Jennifer to say something.  She didn’t.

 

Charlie pulled Jenn to him and whispered, “Baby, you know Daddy loves you.  I’ll see you on Sunday.”

 

Jenn smiled.  She felt so safe with her daddy wrapping his arms around her.  She didn’t want to let go.  She didn’t want him to leave.  She didn’t want him to go to the hospital and bring home another little baby.  She had had a hard enough time accepting Stephen, and that had been two years before.

 

“I love you, too, Daddy,” Jenn finally said.

 

After Charlie had said goodbye to Rose and Harry, he left.  Nana said, “So, Girls, what would you like to do? Are you hungry?”

 

Jenn regarded her grandmother and said, “No, I don't want anything, Nana.  I'll just go to our room and flake out, okay?”

 

Rose looked at her husband.  She turned back to Jenn and said, “Flake out? What's that mean?”

 

“It means just to lie around and do nothing.  You know, veg!” Jenn explained.

 

Nana didn’t say a word.  She just shook her head and watched her granddaughter disappear into the back bedroom.  She looked at Robin, expectantly.

 

“I'll take something to drink,” Robin said.

 

Nana went to get Robin a drink.  The two of them got to talking and Robin explained to her grandmother that Jennifer was jealous, again.

 

That night, they had hot dogs and beans for dinner and the girls didn’t complain when they were told to go to bed early.  They were exhausted, both emotionally and physically.

 

The next morning, Robin and Jennifer woke up around the same time and went into the kitchen to get some juice.  Nana was up making blueberry pancakes, and the girls couldn’t help but smile.  It smelled delicious.

 

“So, girls what do you want to do today?” Grampsie asked.  He was feeding some pancake to Stephen, who was murmuring in his highchair.

 

“I don’t know, Grampsie, anything,” Robin replied.

 

“Well, I have to go into work for a couple of hours, but then later on, we can all do something.  How does that sound?” Grampsie asked.

 

“Yes, there are some kids down the block, that seem to be about your age,” Nana said.  “Maybe you could play with them.”

 

“I don’t play, Nana.  I hang,” Jenn said, snottily.

 

“Jennifer!  Daddy said to be nice,” Robin scolded.

 

Jennifer shot Robin a dirty look.  Boy, was she bossy!

 

“Well, then maybe you can ‘hang’ with the kids down the block,” Nana said.

 

The girls sat down and ate their pancakes.  “Thank you, Nana, that was delicious,” Robin said.  “Yeah, it was really good,” Jenn agreed.

 

“Okay, girls, I think you need to go outside now.  It’s beautiful out,” Nana said.

 

 “But I don't wanna go out,” Jenn said, whining.

 

 Robin pulled Jenn into the living room and whispered, “Jennifer, it's a beautiful spring day out.  I don't wanna sit in Nana's dusty house all day.  Come on, we'll take a walk.  Maybe we’ll find those kids down the block.  Let’s go!”

 

The girls went to their bedroom, got dressed, and Robin practically pulled Jennifer out the door. 

 

“Okay, Robin, stop pulling.  What's gotten into you today, anyway?”

 

“I don't know.  Just excited I guess.  Aren't you, Jenn?  Maybe it'll be a girl this time.  It would be fun to have a little baby sister, don't you think?” Robin asked, thinking about her mom laying in the hospital bed.

 

Dryly, Jenn answered, “Yeah, almost as much fun as Steven has been.  More babysitting to do, and more diapers to help change.”

 

“Oh, Jenn, don't be such a spoiled sport!  It’ll be fun!”

 

 A girl, about Robin and Jenn’s age, spotted them coming down the street.  “Hey!” she called.

 

Jenn stopped, and said, “Hey!” back.

 

The girl smiled and said, “Hi there, I’m Sally.”  She pointed to two of her friends and said, “And this is Marge, and this is Anne.”

 

Robin smiled and nodded at the new girls.  “Hi, I'm Robin.  This is my sister, Jennifer.  Our grandparents live down the block,” she said, pointing backward over her shoulder.

 

Sally smiled.  “Oh, the Clementes? They're pretty nice, but kinda old.”

 

Jenn smiled and nodded.  “Yeah, that’s them.”

 

Anne said, “You two look so much alike.  Do people ever get you mixed up?”

 

Jennifer laughed and said, “Sure, all the time.  But I wear glasses, so it’s easier.”

 

Marge said, “You should get contacts.  Then you can really mess people up.”

 

Jenn grinned.  “Hey, not a bad idea, huh, Robin?”

 

Robin didn’t answer.  She felt they got into enough trouble already.  The girls sat down on the curb and continued talking. 

 

“Have you been to the new amusement park, yet?” Sally asked.

 

Jennifer said, “No, what park?”  She was getting interested.

 

“It’s this small amusement park.  It’s not too far from here,” Marge explained.

 

“Really?  Is it expensive?”  Jenn asked.

 

Anne said, “It isn't too expensive, a pretty good deal for a park actually.”

 

“Well, it sounds like fun.  Are you guys going today?” Jennifer asked them.

 

“Yeah, we’re heading there now.  You two wanna come?” Marge asked.

 

“Sure, that would be great!” Jenn said, and smiled for the second time in one day.  This was a new record for her.

 

Robin wasn’t so sure.  “I don't know, Jenn.  Let's go ask Nana and Grampsie.  Maybe they'll take us with Stephen.”

 

Jenn frowned.  “Aww, who wants to go with the rug rat?”  She turned to Sally, Anne and Marge and explained that Stephen was their two-year-old brother.  “Besides, it’ll be lots more fun on our own, Robin, you know that!”

 

“Yeah, but Jenn, we have to at least get permission.  You know how Mommy and Daddy feel about us being on our own!”

 

“Come on, Robin, that's for babies, or at least for when we were younger.  We're twelve now.  We don't have to ask about every little thing.”  Jenn took Robin aside from the little group and whispered, “Do you want these kids to think we're treated like babies, or like teens?”

 

Robin looked over at the other girls.  “Teens.  But, I don't know, Jenn.”

 

“Well, we’re leaving to go there in fifteen minutes.  If you're in, meet us at the corner, right over there,” Sally said pointing.

 

Robin watched the three girls walk away.  She turned back to Jennifer.  “I don't know about this, Jenn.  What about money? You have any?”

 

Jennifer said, “Yeah, I got ten bucks.  How about you?”

 

Robin fished around in her pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill.  “Well, I do have this that Daddy gave me in case we were near a book store.  I don't know if I should spend it on this, though.”

 

“Why not?  It is up to you, isn't it?  And you know it will be fun.  Besides, you were the one hassling me about "open air".  Well, what is more open than the air on a park ride?”

 

The thought of the amusement park did sound fun to Robin, but she was still unsure.  “Okay, we'll go.  But let's tell Nana and Grampsie that we're going at least.  We owe them that.  We don't want them to have strokes from worry.”

 

Jennifer wasn’t going to take any chances, though, on not being able to go, and making their new friends think they were babies.  “Why don't we call them from the park and tell them then?  They won’t have time to worry before we get there, and that way we won't have any arguments.”

 

Robin was still not sure.  She knew her father would not approve.  She looked at Jenn’s face and then at the girls waiting on the corner.  She didn’t want them to think she was a prude.  “Oh, all right,” Robin reluctantly agreed.

 

The twins met the others at the corner.  Sally, Marge and Anne smiled as they approached.  “Come on, let’s go!” they all said.

 

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

It didn’t take them very long to walk the short distance to Nunley’s.  The girls went in and looked around.  “It’s pretty small,” Jenn announced.

 

Sally smiled.  “Yeah, but what other park can we walk to?  And look, there are a couple of neat looking rides.”

 

“Okay.  Ooh, there's the cup and saucers, let's do that one first,” Jenn said, pointing.

 

Robin looked where Jenn was pointing and smiled.  She loved the cup and saucers.  She loved how it made her feel totally dizzy and nauseous.  She laughed.  “Okay, let’s go!”

 

Marge said, “Wait!  I think you have to buy tickets first.”  They looked around.  “Over there!” Anne said.

 

The girls bought tickets and went on the cup and saucers.  Then they went on several more rides.  They were having a good time and getting along well with the girls they had met.  Robin even forgot about her uneasiness for a while.

 

Then she remembered that Nana and Grampsie still had no idea where they were.  She started to feel guilty.

 

“Jenn, we gotta call Nana and Grampsie.  What are we going to tell them?” Robin asked.

 

Jennifer thought about it and said, “Oh we'll just tell them we're walking around, or maybe that we went to a bookstore or a library --they'll like the sound of that.”

 

Robin smiled.  She suddenly thought lying to Nana and Grampsie was a much better idea than telling them the actual truth.  “Yeah, the library isn't too much further than here.  Good idea, Jenn.” 

 

Jennifer nodded.  “Oh, and we can tell them that we met some kids our age.  At least that part will be true.”

 

The twins giggled.  Then they went in search of a pay phone.  Jennifer put in the quarter and dialed their grandparents’ number.  Grampsie picked up on the second ring.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hi, Grampsie, it’s Jennifer.  I just wanted to tell you we walked on down to the library.  And we met some kids our age and we're having fun.  When do we have to be back?”

 

Jenn could tell he was pleased.  Grampsie answered, “Oh, the library?  How wonderful!  We wondered where you two had gone off to.”  Jenn could hear her grandfather cover the phone and yell to her grandmother, “They're at the library, hon.”

 

He got back on the phone then and said, “Okay, well, how about being home by five and then we’ll all go to dinner?”

 

Jennifer said, “Ok, Grampsie, we'll be home by five. Thanks a lot.”  She hung up the phone then and turned to Robin.  “They bought it.”

 

Robin smiled and said, “Cool.  Come on, let’s go play.  There’s an arcade inside next to the restaurant.”

 

The girls played lots of games and got lots of tickets.  They went inside the store where you trade in the tickets for prizes.  The twins scanned the items to see what they would pick.

 

Jenn leaned in close to Robin and whispered, “Remember, Robin, make sure you get stuff that looks like we bought it in a store.  Otherwise, we’ll be caught.”

 

Robin nodded.  She hadn’t thought about that.  In the end, she got an address book, and some little doodads.

 

They looked up at the clock.  It was a little past 4:30.  “Oh, man, we’d better get going!” Jenn announced to her little group of friends.  “We told our grandparents we’d be home by five.”

 

“Okay,” they said, “we have to get going anyway.”

 

Jennifer and Robin put their prizes and their extra tickets into their jacket pockets and were on their way.  It took a little longer than they expected and they reached Nana and Grampsie’s house a little after five.  They waved goodbye to Anne, Sally, and Marge.

 

As they were about to ring the bell, Robin turned to Jenn and said, “I'm scared, Jenn, what if they're really mad?”

 

Jennifer thought about it.  “Well, then we'll be in trouble.  It won't be the first time.  We'll get through it.  Now we better go in --being any later won't help.”

 

Robin nodded and said, “Okay.”  She could never figure out how her sister stayed so calm.  She knew that lying to her grandparents for the rest of the weekend was going to kill her.

 

They rang the bell and Nana pulled open the door.  “Girls! There you are! Where have you been?”

 

Very nonchalantly, Jenn answered, “Oh, we've just been walking back.  I'm sorry if we are a little bit late.  It took longer to get back than we thought.  We were having a nice time with our new friends.”

 

“Yeah, the girls are really nice,” Robin added.  “They live just down the block.”

 

Nana frowned, “Well, I cannot believe you walked all the way to the library and back.  That's awfully far.”

 

Grampsie smiled at the twins and looked at his wife.  “Oh, hon, it's not that far.  Besides, the fresh air is good for them.  Look, they have some nice color in their cheeks.  Now, how about you girls go get washed and changed and we'll get some Chinese food?”

 

Jennifer wanted to get out of the conversation as quick as possible.  “Okay, Grampsie, we’ll be right back.”  She grabbed Robin and pulled her into the guest room.

 

Robin was shocked.  As soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to her sister and said, “What's wrong, Jenn?”

 

“Be careful, that's all,” Jennifer said.

  

“With what? Jennifer, what?  You’re scaring me!”

 

Jenn was making Robin nervous.  She said, “Don't go into too much detail.  It makes it too easy to get tangled and have things come out.  Keep it vague, okay?”

 

“Is this the advice of a habitual liar, Jennifer?” Robin queried.

 

“No, Robin.  I’m just trying to keep us both out of trouble.  Come on, let’s get ready!  I don’t know about you but I’m starving.”

 

They went to Chinatown Cafe, which was Grampsie’s favorite Chinese restaurant.  The girls had been there before with their parents.  Stephen loved wonton soup and the family had a nice time.

 

After Grampsie paid, both twins thanked him for dinner.  “It was delicious, thank you,” Robin said.

 

“Yes, it was,” Jenn echoed.

 

“Oh, you’re very welcome, girls.  I guess you two worked up an appetite with all that walking you did today.”

 

The twins just nodded.

 

Nana nodded too.  She said, “You know, girls, you are very lucky that your grandfather has gotten soft in his old age, because I wanted to paddle your behinds today, for running off like you did.”

 

Jenn turned and stared at Nana.  “What?  But Nana, we called to let you know where we were.  We didn't just run off,” Jenn stated.

 

Very sternly, Nana replied, “Young lady, you didn't call us until about 2:00.  You left our house a little after one.  We didn't know where you were for an entire hour.  But like I said, you were lucky, this time.”

 

Robin just sat there, with her mouth hanging open.  She didn’t know what to say.  She was thinking and wondering if her grandparents would really paddle them.  They had always lived far away and had never punished them.  But, Robin figured, there was always a first time.

 

Grampsie broke the awkward silence by saying, “Now, girls, what would you like to do tomorrow?”

 

Robin spoke up then.  “I don't know, Grampsie.  Maybe we could see a movie?”

 

Grampsie smiled.  “Well, that’s a possibility.  Also, there's that new amusement park around the corner, would you like to go there, girls?”

 

Robin looked at Jennifer, who shrugged.  Neither of them knew what to say.  “Oh, an amusement park, Grampsie?  That sounds like fun,” Robin said, nervously.

 

Jenn said, “Yeah, it does.  But I think I’d rather see a movie.  There’s that new Drew Barrymore one out.”

 

“I'm surprised at you, Jennifer.  I remember how much you like the rides,” Nana said.  “Or is that when you were younger?”

 

“Oh, no, Nana, I still like the rides.  We can go there if you want,” Jenn said, eager to end the conversation. 

 

 

The next morning when the twins woke up, it was raining.  Robin stood looking out the window.  “Oh, thank god, Jenn.  I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t rained.”

 

Jenn looked at her sister.  “We would have gone to Nunley’s again, Robin, and had a terrific time.  Again.”  She smiled.

 

“Yeah, I guess you’re right, Jenn,” Robin said.  She did not know how Jennifer kept her cool.

 

Nana and Grampsie ended up taking the twins and Stephen to the movies.  They had a wonderful time and were sitting around talking and laughing, in the living room, when the girls heard a car door.

 

Robin rushed to the window.  “It’s them!  Mommy and Daddy are here!”

 

Nana went over and opened the door.  Lisa and Charlie walked in, carrying a small pink bundle.

 

“Hello Girls!” Charlie said, as he helped Lisa inside.

 

Robin jumped into Charlie’s arms and gave him a huge hug.  “Daddy, I missed you,” she cried.

 

“Oh, I missed you too, sweetie,” Charlie said, hugging Robin tight.  He then gave Jennifer a big hug.  “How’re you doing, baby?”

 

“Okay,” Jenn said, unable to keep her eyes off the new baby.

 

Lisa sat on the couch and smiled.  She cradled the tiny infant in her arms.

 

Robin went over to Lisa and gave her a kiss on the cheek.  “Hi Mommy.  How're you feeling?”

 

“A little tired, honey, but I’m all right.”  Lisa held up the bundle to Robin.  “Robin, I’d like you to meet your new baby sister, Melissa.”

 

Robin smiled.  She looked up at her daddy.  “It’s a girl.”

 

Charlie nodded and smiled.  He noticed Jennifer starting to slip out of the room, but he pulled her back.  “Come here, baby.  Meet your little sister.”  Charlie gently pushed Jennifer towards the couch where Lisa was sitting.

 

Reluctantly, Jennifer walked over to Lisa.  She peeked down at the baby.  Melissa smiled, if you could call it that.  It was probably just gas, though.  Jenn smiled, too.  She looked up at Charlie. 

 

“She’s cute, Daddy,” Jenn said.

 

Robin sat in utter shock.  She was surprised that Jennifer didn’t throw a major fit.  Robin watched Jenn in awe.  Jennifer was leaning down and kissing the baby.

 

Charlie came over then and sat with them.  Nana brought Stephen over, too.

 

Nana said, “Look, Stephen, this is your baby sister.  Now you have three sisters.”

 

Stephen said, “Baby.”

 

Everyone smiled.  Grampsie said, “That’s right.”  Grampsie smiled.  He was thinking that Stephen would always be surrounded by girls.

 

Jennifer was counting Melissa’s fingers.  Lisa laughed.  “There are ten.  I’ve already counted them.”

 

“They’re so little, Mommy,” Jenn said.

 

Charlie said, “You were that little once, too, baby.”

 

Jennifer smiled.  “No,” she said. 

 

Charlie pulled Jenn into his lap.  “Yes, you were.”  Charlie cuddled Jennifer.  She was taking things much better than he thought, and he was glad.

 

Lisa looked over at Jennifer sitting in Charlie’s lap.  “You want to hold her, Jennifer?”

 

Jenn shook her head.  “No, I’m afraid I’ll break her.”

 

“Don’t be silly,” Lisa said.  “Here.”  She put the baby in Jenn’s lap.  Jennifer cuddled the tiny infant.  She found it hard to believe that she was ever that small.

 

Robin looked over at Jennifer holding the baby.  She snuggled closer to Charlie.  Charlie put his arm around Robin.  He had to remember how insecure they could be.

 

“Okay, that’s enough,” Jenn said.  Lisa laughed.  She took the baby from Jennifer and put her in Robin’s lap.  Robin cradled little Melissa.  “Oh, she’s so cute.  I don’t ever want to let go.”

 

But eventually she had to.  The happy family, with a new addition, finally had to go home.  Lisa went right to the baby’s room and settled Melissa down.  The twins went up to their room to unpack their stuff from the weekend.  Without even thinking, they just tossed their jackets over the arm of the couch in the living room.

 

Charlie brought Stephen into the kitchen to get him some juice and see about making dinner.  The twins had told their parents all about their weekend, leaving out as much as possible about Saturday.  Jennifer was still afraid one of them would mess up.  They had told their parents the same story about going to the library and meeting the kids down the street.

 

At dinner, the girls told their parents about the movie they had gone to see.  “Yeah, it’s too bad it rained today.  Nana tells me there’s a new amusement park not too far from them,” Charlie stated.

 

Jenn looked up then.  Was it possible that he knew?  No, no, calm down, she told herself.

 

“Yeah, Daddy, we heard about it.  It sounds real neat,” she said.

 

“Maybe we can even go some time,” Robin suggested.

 

“Well, we’ll have to see.  I’m sure your grandparents would love to take you next time you visit them,” Charlie said.

 

Both twins helped their father clean up the table and put the dishes away.  Lisa went to do some straightening.  “Um, girls, come and hang up these jackets!” she said from the living room.

 

“Okay, Mommy, coming!” Robin said.

 

Jennifer finished helping in the kitchen and followed Robin to the living room.  Lisa stood there, with the jackets in one hand, and something else clutched in her other hand.  She had a surprised look on her face.

 

Charlie had come in with the girls, too.  “What’s wrong, honey?” he asked.

 

Lisa frowned.  She held the jackets out to the twins.  Robin grabbed hers and Jenn took hers.  They began to walk away.  “Not so fast.”

 

The twins stopped, surprised by their mother’s tone of voice.  “What’s wrong, Mommy?” Jenn asked, alarmed.

 

“Girls, didn't you tell us that you weren't able to go to the amusement park because it rained?” she inquired.

 

Uh oh.  “Um, yes, that’s right, Mommy,” Jennifer said.  “Nana and Grampsie had suggested going, but it was raining hard, so we went to the movies instead.”

 

“I see, Jennifer Lynn, then maybe you can explain to me what these are that I found in your pocket.  You too, Robin.”  Lisa frowned as she held up the tickets with Nunley’s stamped on them.

 

Jenn looked at Robin.  She didn’t know what to say or do.  They both knew their time was limited.  They had been caught.

 

“Uh, well, those are from, uh, from, a new friend we met while we were there, who gave us those as souvenirs, while telling us about the new park,” Jennifer tried.

 

“Uh huh, try again,” Lisa suggested.

 

“Yes, and you might want to try the truth this time,” Charlie warned.  He picked up Stephen, who was getting antsy on the floor next to his feet.

 

Robin spoke up.  “Really, Daddy, we met these girls and walked to the library.  We told you that, remember?”

 

“Come on girls, and they just handed you used tickets to the park? What kind of "souvenir" is that?” Charlie asked.

 

Robin said, “Daddy, they were just, uh, telling us how great it was, and uh.”  Robin stopped.  She knew how futile it was.  She could see the look on her daddy’s face.  He knew they were lying.  Robin started to cry.  Jennifer nudged her to stop, but at that point she couldn’t.

 

Charlie put Stephen down on his lap, as he sat down himself on the couch.  He motioned for the two girls to join him.  Lisa sat down, too.  She was eager to hear this tale.  “Let’s go, girls, out with it.  You aren't fooling anyone. The more lies now, the worse trouble you are in.”

 

“Yes, Daddy, um, well, we, uh,” Robin began.

 

“Robin, I want the whole story, and now!”

 

Robin looked at Jennifer.  But she had turned away.  She was angry at Robin for breaking down.  “Okay, Daddy.  We went to Nunley's on Saturday.”

 

Lisa was shocked.  “By yourselves?”

 

Robin nodded.  “Yes, Mommy.”

 

“And lied about it to your grand parents, and to us?” Charlie asked.

 

Again Robin nodded.  “Yes, Daddy.”  She looked down at the carpet.

 

Charlie raised Robin’s chin and made her look at him.  “And you didn't have permission to go in the first place, either, right?”

 

No one answered.  “Right?” he repeated.

 

“No, sir,” Robin replied.  She turned to her sister.  “Jennifer! You could at least help me explain.”

 

Charlie regarded Jennifer then.  “Yes, Jennifer, what do you have to say for yourself?”

 

Jenn folded her arms then and said, “Nothing, Daddy!  If you're gonna punish me, go ahead.”

 

Charlie let go of Stephen then and turned to face Jennifer.  “I don't much like your attitude, Jennifer Lynn.  And I am indeed going to punish both of you.  But if you have any reason why I shouldn't or why it should be lighter, now is your chance to say so.”

 

Charlie always tried to let the girls speak their minds before he punished them, but it looked like now was not going to be one of those times.  He looked at Lisa.  She looked exhausted.  Neither of them could believe what was going on with their girls.

 

“I have nothing to say!” Jennifer said, folding her arms across her chest.

 

Charlie sighed and looked at Robin.  “And you?”

 

“Well, Daddy, I know we should have asked for permission, but it was really fun, and...uh,” Robin said.  But when she saw her daddy frowning, she stopped.

 

“I have one question.  Why didn't you ask for permission? I am sure you would have gotten it,” Charlie asked them.

 

“I don't know, Daddy!” Robin whined.

 

 Lisa spoke up then.  “Robin, you know that isn't an acceptable answer.”

 

Charlie said, “Yes, and the whining will stop now, as well!”

 

“Okay, Daddy!  GEEZ!” Robin said.  This was not going as she and Jenn had thought it would.  They were under the impression they wouldn’t even be caught.

 

Charlie looked over at Robin.  “Attitude number two!  Now, why didn't you girls ask?”

 

Robin sighed and said, “I don't know, Daddy.  I guess we thought they would say no.”

 

Now it was Charlie’s turn to sigh.  “I see. Well, you are both in trouble.  This was a stunt I would have expected from you years ago; not now.  You are both getting spanked, and soaped for your lies.  And you will both be grounded for a while -- I haven't decided how long yet.”

 

Neither of the girls said a word.  Lisa just looked stunned that the girls would do this.  Charlie looked at the two girls, and then focused on Jenn. 

 

“Jennifer, you had the attitude first. So you can have your spanking first.”

 

“Daddy, that's not fair...I'm 12 years old!” Jenn shouted.

 

 But Charlie was not going to put up with any more nonsense.  “Stop shouting, young lady.  12 is a long way from grown up, and you acted more like 6 than 12.  When you act your age, you can be treated like it.  Now come with me!”

 

Charlie stood up and put out his hand.  Jenn wouldn’t take it.  She folded her arms again and very quietly, said, “No.”

 

Charlie grabbed Jenn by the wrist and dragged her to his bedroom.  “That is enough argument from you, young lady.  You are already in for a good dose of the hairbrush.  Want to try for the strap?”

 

You could have knocked Jennifer over with a feather when she heard those words.  She looked up at her daddy and said, “St-strap?  Uh, no sir.  But why the brush, Daddy?  I'm sorry.”

 

Charlie was beyond angry, and his answer became a bit sarcastic.  “The brush because you are such a mature 12 year old and because you not only disobeyed, but told lie after lie about it. You know you aren't to wander off without permission, and you know how I feel about lies.  Now that's enough.” 

 

He sat in the big red chair, and pulled Jennifer close.  He yanked down her pants and panties and lifted her over his lap.  He grabbed the hairbrush off of Lisa’s dresser and began to spank Jenn with it.

<Whack!> <Whack!><Whack!><Whack!><Whack!>

 

Jenn was not a happy camper.  “Daddy, I'm sorry.  Please, I know it was wrong.”

 

<Whack!> “If you knew it was wrong, <Whack!> why did you do it?” <Whack!>

 

Jennifer didn’t answer.

 

<Whack!> “Anyway, you had your chance <Whack!> to explain yourself, <Whack!> young lady, <Whack!> and you had,” Charlie paused, and then mimicked Jenn’s voice, <Whack!> “nothing to say.” <Whack!>

 

“Daddy, you're nasty,” Jenn said.  Then she began crying.  “OW, this hurts.  Please stop, I'm sorry.  We shouldn't have done it; we know that now.”

 

<Whack!><Whack!><Whack!> “No <Whack!> you shouldn't have. <Whack!> By the time I am done, <Whack!> you will remember that for a long time.” <Whack!>

 

But Jenn couldn’t answer.  All she could do was cry.  “OWWWWWWWWW!”

 

<Whack!> “You do not go off on your own <Whack!> and you do not lie <Whack!> to your grandparents <Whack!> or to us. <Whack!> Is that clear, <Whack!> young lady?”

 

Crying hysterically, Jennifer answered, “Yes, Daddy!”

 

Charlie put the hairbrush down.  “All right, Jennifer, your spanking is over.”

 

He lifted her up and hugged her close to him.  

 

Jenn sobbed into her daddy’s chest.  “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

 

Charlie held her and rubbed her bottom.  “Jennifer, do you understand why I punished you?”

 

To the floor, Jenn mumbled, “yeah.”

 

“And what was the reason, Jennifer Lynn?”

 

“Oh, Daddy, do I hafta?”

 

“Yes, Jennifer you do.  And you might improve your tone.  You are in enough trouble for one day, young lady.”

 

 Jenn looked up at Charlie.  “But Daddy, what's the big deal?  No bad guys came and took us or anything.”

 

“Yes, that's true.  But they might have.  Or something else might have happened and we wouldn't have known where to look for you.  And what is more, you broke the rules, and you knew that you were doing it, and you lied in the process.”

 

Jenn nodded.  “I'm sorry, Daddy.”

 

“Very well.  Go to your room and wait.  I will give you your mouthsoaping after Robin has her spanking.”

 

In not such a good move on her part, Jennifer said, “Fine!” and stormed away.

 

“Jennifer!  Come back here for a minute.  Your attitude is in need of a major improvement, young lady.”

 

Upon hearing Charlie’s tone of voice, Jenn turned around and snapped, “WHAT?”

 

“Jennifer, I have warned you about your tone and attitude several times.  I want to hear a change from hostile and sulky to contrite, and I want it now,” Charlie lectured.  There was just no getting through to this girl.

 

 Jennifer sighed.  “I'm sorry, Daddy.  I just, I don't know, guess I'm a little jealous of the new baby, that's all,” she said and turned away again.

 

 Charlie turned his daughter around to meet his gaze.  “I thought we dealt with this when Stephen came along.  As I told you then, I won't love you one bit less just because there is a new baby around.  You can feel jealous and upset if you want.  But I insist that you be polite and respectful to me and to your mother.  Now would you like to try the line where you headed for your room again?”

 

“Yes, sir, may I go to my room now?” Jennifer asked.

 

“Yes, you may.  I will be in to discuss your lies with you shortly.”

 

“Okay, Daddy,” Jenn said and reluctantly went up to her room.

 

Charlie walked back to the living room to get Robin.  Along the way, he spotted Lisa in Stephen’s room putting him to bed.  He stopped in and gave his son a kiss on the forehead.  “Don’t ever grow up, son,” he whispered.

 

Robin followed Charlie back to his bedroom.  Charlie was exhausted.  He hated when the twins got into trouble at the same time.  He felt like he constantly had one or both of them over his lap.

 

He sat back down in the spanking chair and stood Robin next to him.

 

“Daddy, I'm sorry.”

 

“That's good, Robin.  You are about to be rather sorrier.  Do you understand why I am going to punish you?  If so, tell me.”

 

“Yes, Sir.  I know.  And I know we shouldn't have done it, but Jenn made it seem like I'd be a baby if I didn't go along.”

 

 “Very well, but it was your choice to listen to her, right, Robin?”

 

Robin nodded.  “Yes, Daddy.  But we did have fun, anyway.”

 

 Charlie frowned.  “I hope it was worth it, Robin.  Or rather I hope it wasn't, so you won't do something like this again.  It’s time.”

 

Charlie reached for the elastic on Robin’s pants.

 

“Please, Daddy.  I learned my lesson.  Please don't punish me.  I won't do it again!” Robin begged.

 

“Robin, you know better than that.  ‘I’m sorry’ and 'I won't do it again' are never enough AFTER you break the rules, are they?”

 

Robin looked down and very quietly said, “No, sir.”

 

“Very well then.”  Charlie pulled down her pants and panties and put her over his lap.  He started to spank her with the hairbrush.

{Whack!} {Whack!} {Whack!} {Whack!} {Whack!} {Whack!}

 

From the first smack, Robin was crying.  “OW! Dadddddy!”

 

{Whack!} “You will not {Whack!} go off {Whack!} without permission {Whack!} and without {Whack!} even telling anyone where you are.” {Whack!} 

 

Sobbing, Robin said, “We called, Daddy.”

 

{Whack!}{Whack!}{Whack!} “Yes, you did, but you didn't tell {Whack!} your grandparents {Whack!} where you were. {Whack!} In fact you lied.” {Whack!}

 

Robin gulped.  “Yes, sir.”

 

{Whack!} “That would only have made it {Whack!} more difficult to find you, {Whack!} than saying nothing {Whack!} at all.” {Whack!}

 

“I'm sorry, Daddy.  OW, please stop!” Robin cried.

 

{Whack!} “I'll stop {Whack!} when I think {Whack!} you've learned your lesson, {Whack!} young lady.” {Whack!}

 

“OW, Okaaaaay!”

 

{Whack!} “You will not {Whack!} lie to your grandparents {Whack!} or to us {Whack!} ever again. {Whack!}{Whack!}{Whack!} Is that clear, {Whack!} young lady?” {Whack!}

 

“Yes, Daddy, I promise.  I'm sorrrrrrry!”

 

{Whack!}{Whack!}{Whack!} “All right, your spanking is over.  I'm sorry I had to be so hard on you, Robin, but I wanted to be very clear just how serious this was.”

 

Charlie stood Robin up and pulled up her pants.  He pulled her close to him and hugged her tight.  He wanted her to feel how much he loved her.

 

“Yes, Daddy, I know.  I'm sorry.”  Robin snuggled into her daddy.  “I don't like to be in trouble either.”

 

“Well, you aren't all the way out yet, young lady.  You still have your mouthsoaping to come and then your grounding.  But I'm glad that you want to be out of trouble, and I hope that you will keep your promise.”

 

“I will, Daddy,” Robin said.

 

“Good.  Now come with me upstairs to your room, where your sister is waiting.  She is going to have her soaping, and then you will get yours.”

 

“Yes, Daddy,” Robin said, following Charlie out of his room and up to hers.

 

Charlie led Robin to her bed and told her to wait there.  Jennifer was lying on her bed.  He said, "Jennifer, it is time, come with me."

 

Jennifer followed her daddy into their bathroom.  He sat her down on the toilet seat cover and said, “All right, Jennifer, open up.”

 

She did as she was told, and Charlie inserted the soap, and tapped her on the chin to close up.  He waited and watched.  "Jennifer I want you to remember this.  This is what happens when you lie.  Think twice next time."

 

Jennifer just nodded.  Charlie waited several minutes.  Finally, he said, “You may take the soap out and rinse now.”

 

Again, Jennifer followed all directions.  When she was done rinsing, she asked, “May I go back and lie down now, Daddy?”

 

Charlie nodded.  He came out and motioned for Robin to come in.  He repeated what he did with Jennifer.  But because Robin’s attitude was a little bit better, he didn’t make her keep the soap in as long.

 

Once she rinsed, Robin hugged Charlie real tight.  “I'm sorry, Daddy.  Really sorry.”

 

Charlie smiled and hugged Robin back.  The two of them walked back into the bedroom.  Charlie sat down with Robin on her bed.  He looked over at Jenn.  She was facing the wall.

 

“That's good, Robin.  I love you very much and your sister too.  That won't ever change, no matter what.  When you misbehave I have to punish you, because I love you and I want you to keep safe and learn to act properly.”

 

Robin said, “Yes, sir, I know.  I'm sorry we disappointed you again.”

 

“That happens, lovey.  You make mistakes, and I punish you, and you are forgiven and we start over.”

 

“Yes, Daddy,” Robin said, as she lay on her bed.  Charlie felt like there was a wall in the room.  He looked over at Jenn.

 

“Jennifer, I want you to hear this too.  I am not going to stop loving you either of you, because of this or because of anything.  I am not happy about what you did, but I am happy to have you two as my daughters.  Things are not going to change just because there’s a new baby in the house, if that’s what you’re worried about.  All right?”

 

Jenn just nodded.  Robin could hear Jennifer sobbing softly.  Charlie went over to her then and just hugged her tight.  “You know Daddy is here for you if you want to talk.  Okay?”

 

Again, Charlie got a nod.  He looked at his watch.  “Okay, girls, you have about an hour until bedtime.  I don’t care how you spend it, but you’re to spend it in your room.  I need to talk to your mother about how long you’re going to be grounded for.”

 

Robin said, “Yes, Daddy.”  Jenn just nodded again.

 

“Mommy and I will come up to tuck you in later,” Charlie said, as he slipped out of the room.

 

He knew things were not completely rosy, but they never were.  Hopefully, Jennifer would learn to deal with the new baby in time.  And he hoped he didn’t have to punish them again, so severely, anytime soon.

 

The end.