The Rabbit…a twin story (M/ff, hairbrush, soap)

©2000 by Sampast

 

(This story is dedicated to kimmi, who loves bunnies, just as much, or even more so, than Robin does.)

 

Seven year-old Jennifer jumped into the back seat of the car, and said, “Mommy, Mommy! Guess what?”

 

Both Lisa and Robin turned to look at her.  Finally Lisa said, “What, sweetie?”

        

“My teacher asked for volunteers to take home Thumper, our class pet.  Please, can I do it? Please, Mommy!” Jenn begged.

        

“The rabbit?” Lisa asked.  “Oh, I don’t know, baby.”

        

“Please, Mommy!  I’ll take extra good care of it,” Jennifer stated.

        

Robin was quiet on the short ride to their apartment.  She absolutely loved bunnies.  She was already jealous of the fact that Jennifer’s second grade classroom had a pet rabbit.  Her classroom only had a gerbil, named Houdini.  All he ever did was sleep.

        

Jennifer bugged Lisa all the way up in the elevator and while they were opening their apartment door.  Finally Lisa had enough.

        

“Jennifer, I don’t want to hear another word about this rabbit.  I want you to sit down and do your homework.  We will talk to Daddy about this later.”

        

Jenn was crestfallen.  She thought for sure her parents would say yes right away.  Her teacher had told the class that whoever brought in a note from their parents giving them permission first, would get to take Thumper home that weekend.  Jenn wanted it to be her.

        

“But Mommy, it’s Monday, and Daddy will be home late tonight!” she whined.

        

“Whining is not going to help you, Jennifer Lynn.  I suggest you sit your bottom down on that seat right now, while you can still sit.”

        

So she sat.  But she looked at Lisa with puppy dog eyes that said, “Please!”

        

Lisa just stared at her.  “Jennifer, start on your homework.  Bugging me is not in your best interest.”

        

Robin secretly smiled to herself.  “Good,” she thought.  Then she started on her homework right away.  As she was writing her new spelling words three times each, she looked over at her twin sister. 

        

Jenn was not writing her spelling words, or doing her math problems; she was drawing pictures of rabbits in her notebook.  “Mommy!” Robin called.  “Jenn’s doodling!”

        

Jennifer looked at Robin.  “Tattle tail!”

        

Lisa came over and looked down at Jenn.  She saw the writing paper filled with pictures of rabbits, instead of spelling words.  She tore it right out of the notebook, crumpled it up, and threw it in the garbage.

        

“I suggest, young lady, that you get started on that homework RIGHT NOW!” Lisa exclaimed.

        

“Yes, ma’am,” Jenn said.  She looked daggers over at Robin, who secretly smiled again.  It wasn’t often that she got to get Jenn in trouble.

        

The girls did all their homework, had a snack, and were in the den watching television, when the phone rang.  Jennifer, who was hoping it was her daddy, ran into the kitchen and snatched the ringing phone before Lisa had time to say, “Boo!”

        

“Hello? Daddy?” Jenn said excitedly.  She listened.  “Oh, hold on a second.  Mommy, it’s Wendy, from next door.”

        

Lisa looked at Jennifer and said, “Let me have that, please.”  She took the phone from Jenn and spoke to her neighbor for a few minutes.  When she put down the phone, she said to Jennifer, “Sit down, please.”

        

Jenn sat, again at the kitchen table.  “Sweetie, you have got to calm down.  I’ll tell you what, after dinner, we can call Daddy at work, and you can tell him your story.  When he gets home tonight, he and I will discuss it.  Okay?”

        

Knowing she was expected to agree with that, Jenn said, “Okay, Mommy.”

        

“Good girl.  Now run along while I finish getting dinner ready,” Lisa said.

        

Later on, after dinner, while Robin was in the bath, Lisa let Jennifer call Charlie at work.  He calmly listened to her explain all the reasons she should be given permission to take the rabbit home.  All her daddy had said was, “We’ll see.”

        

Jennifer went to bed upset.  She knew the words, “we’ll see” meant “no.”  She wanted to bring that rabbit home that weekend so badly.  She fell asleep trying to think of ways she could convince her parents to let her take that bunny home.

        

Later that night, after Charlie came home from work, he and Lisa sat at the kitchen table discussing the prospects of the rabbit.

        

“I don’t know, hon.  I think Jenn is too young and immature for that responsibility,” Charlie exclaimed.

        

“I agree.  But hon, you should have seen her when I first said no, she was so disappointed,” Lisa explained.

        

“Well, Lisa, the girls have to learn sometimes that they can’t always get what they want.  We have a very small apartment.  I don’t think bringing a rabbit in, even if it’s just for the weekend, is a very good idea.”

        

“Okay,” Lisa said, “but you have to tell her.”

 

The next morning, Charlie got the girls up and ready for school.  Lisa had had to leave extra early to go to a special meeting at her job.  After the girls had washed up and gotten dressed, Charlie decided to break the news to Jennifer.

 

“Baby, come here,” he said to her.

 

Jenn went immediately to Charlie and climbed into his lap.  He turned her to face him.  “Baby, Mommy and I discussed the bunny, and I’m afraid it’s not going to work out.”

 

“OH, but Daddy, pleeeeease!” Jenn cried.

 

Robin looked on from her seat at the table.  She was swishing her cornflakes around in the bowl, hoping they wouldn’t change their minds.  She loved rabbits, but she knew Jenn would make her miserable the entire weekend, and it just wasn’t worth it.

 

“No, Jennifer.  Mommy and I have decided.  End of story,” Charlie stated.  He was starting to get annoyed.

 

“But why, Daddy? There must be a reason!” Jenn said, careful to keep the whine out of her voice.

 

“Jennifer!” Charlie blurted.  He sighed and looked at his little girl.  “Our apartment is very small, even for the four of us.”

 

“But Daddy, Thumper has a cage.  He wouldn’t take up too much room.”

 

“No, Jenn,” Charlie said.  “Besides, Mommy and I feel that you are too young and not responsible enough.”

 

“Responsible? I can be responsible.  Pleeeeease!” Jenn started to cry.  “Please, Daddy, I’ll show you.  I’ll show you I can be responsible!”

 

Charlie lifted Jennifer off his lap and put her in her seat.  He poured her cereal into a bowl and set it down in front of her.  “Come on, baby, eat your breakfast.  You’re going to be late for school.”

 

Jenn couldn’t eat.  She just moved her cereal around in her bowl.  Even Robin felt bad for her sister.  It was one thing to be jealous, but their father had told Jenn she wasn’t responsible.  That had to hurt.

 

Charlie looked over at Jennifer.  “Sweetie, you need to eat.”  Jenn only shook her head no.  “Okay, then go brush your teeth and let’s get going.”

 

Jenn did as she was told.  She brought her bowl to the kitchen and headed for the bathroom.  Robin followed.  “You okay, sis?” she said, putting her arm around Jenn.

 

Jenn just looked at Robin and nodded.  The two sisters hugged.  Charlie, who had come to check on them, saw this, and smiled.  He knew Jennifer was upset, but he was sure that she would be okay after a few days.

 

He was wrong.  Jennifer continued to mope around-Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday passed, and she was still unhappy.  On Thursday, when Charlie picked them up from school, she said, “Daddy, no one has brought my teacher a letter, still.  Please, can’t I bring Thumper home?”

 

“Yeah, please, Daddy?” Robin chimed in.  “I can help Jenn take care of it.”

 

Jennifer looked at Robin and smiled.  “Yeah, Robin can help.  With two of us taking care of it, it won’t be a problem.”

 

Charlie turned and looked at his two daughters in the back seat of the car.  “I’ll talk to Mommy again tonight and see what she says.”

 

Both girls cheered.  “Yay!”

 

While the girls were getting ready for bed that night, Charlie and Lisa sat at the kitchen table again.  “Well, what do you think?” Charlie asked his wife.

 

“Well, aside from all the moping she’s been doing, Jennifer has been trying to show how responsible she is.  She’s done all her chores without reminders, and even set the table when it was Robin’s turn.”

 

Charlie looked at Lisa.  “So you’re saying we should let her?”

 

Lisa nodded.  “What could possibly happen?  It’s only for one weekend.”

 

They called the girls back in.  Jennifer stared up at her parents.  She almost died when Charlie said, “Okay, Jennifer, you can bring Thumper home this weekend.”

 

She looked at Robin who was smiling.  Then she ran into Charlie’s arms and hugged him tight.  “Oh, thank you, Daddy.  I’ll take real good care of him.  I promise!”

 

Charlie smiled.  He liked seeing his little girl happy.  “I know you will, baby.”

 

And Jenn promised herself that she would, too.  She knew that if she messed up this time, her parents would never let her do this or anything like it again.

 

She was so happy the next morning when she brought in her permission slip to her teacher.  Mrs. Gordon was pleased, too, as she had been worried she would be stuck taking the animal home again.

 

That afternoon, several of Jennifer’s friends helped carry Thumper’s cage and his paraphernalia out to Lisa’s car.  Robin was so excited to see Thumper, too.  She couldn’t wait to hold the bunny and pet it.

 

But Jenn was very territorial with Thumper.  She didn’t want Robin touching it.  “Not yet,” she had told Robin.  “Let him get used to his new surroundings,” she had said.  That made Robin mad.  She thought to herself, that Jenn wouldn’t even have the rabbit at home this weekend, if she hadn’t helped beg for it.

 

Jenn cleaned out Thumper’s cage, put in new bedding, and new water.  She let Robin put the food into the dish, but then she, herself, put the dish into the cage.  She made sure the lid was on tight.

 

Robin just sat and stared at Thumper.  She really wanted to play with that bunny.  She was about to reach for the lid, when she heard the front door open.  It was Charlie.  He had come home early so the four of them could go out to dinner and a movie.

 

Both girls ran to the front door to see him.  They showed him Thumper.  Then they got ready and went out.  Robin got home way too late, to play with Thumper that night.  But the next morning, she was bugging Jenn to let her pet him.

 

“No, Robin, I don’t think it’s a good idea right now.  He just woke up, and he’s probably hungry.  I don’t want him to bite you,” Jenn stated.

 

Robin was seething.  She could almost taste how much she wanted to pet that rabbit.  She looked around, but Jenn was in the bathroom.  Robin lifted the lid and put her hand in and stroked the bunny.  Oh, he was so soft.  She pet him for a few minutes and then put the lid down.  She made sure it was on tight.

 

Ha, she thought to herself.  He wasn’t hungry.  He didn’t bite her.  Robin knew he wouldn’t. 

 

All day, the girls were busy.  Jenn had a friend over, and Robin had gone to a friend’s house.  She got back before Jenn’s friend left.  She went to the room they shared, and saw that Jenn and Karen had made a little house for Thumper.

 

“Oh, that’s so cute, can I play?” Robin asked.

 

Jenn and Karen looked at each other.  “No, Robin, we’re playing.  Leave us alone!” Jenn remarked.

 

“That’s not fair, Jenn.  You wouldn’t even have the rabbit home this weekend, if I hadn’t helped you.  I just wanna pet it, pleeease!” Robin said.

 

But Jenn turned her back to Robin.  “Not right now, Robin.  Maybe after Karen leaves.  Now please leave us alone.  You had your play date, let me have mine.”

 

“Fine!”  Robin stormed out of the room.  She got her crayons out and made a mad picture.  She drew the four of them, and Thumper.  Then she took a black crayon and colored it really dark over her drawing of Jennifer.  It was like she wanted to obliterate Jenn’s presence.

 

Karen ended up staying for dinner, which just made Robin madder.  Jenn and Karen had played with Thumper all day, and Robin hadn’t even been allowed to pet it.

 

She was going to tell her parents how unfair Jenn was being, but then she had a better idea.  An idea that would let her play with Thumper and get her sister in big time trouble.

 

Robin slept on her idea…to make sure she still wanted to do it on Sunday morning.  Charlie had to go to work for half a day and invited the girls to come with him.  Jenn was sitting on the floor playing with Thumper, when Charlie came in to get them.

 

“Okay, girls, are you ready?” he asked them.  Jenn jumped up and said, “I’m ready, Daddy.  I just gotta put Thumper back in his cage.”

 

“I just need to brush my teeth, Daddy,” Robin said.  She went to do that, and then went back to their bedroom to put on her shoes.  Jenn had already left the room.  Robin tiptoed over to the cage, and took Thumper out carefully.  She pet him for a few minutes, until she heard her daddy call her.

 

“Coming, Daddy!” she called.  She set Thumper down on the floor, right next to the cage.  “Have a nice morning, Thumper,” she said, laughing.  Then she ran out of the room, making sure to leave the door open.

 

She giggled to herself on the short ride to Daddy’s store.  Jenn would be in so much trouble later.  Mommy was sure to wake up and see Thumper hopping around the apartment.  “See if I ever help Jenn get to bring a pet home again,” she thought to herself.

 

The girls played nicely at the supermarket.  They helped put out the bundle of newspapers and were helping the cashiers bag the groceries.  Robin was having such a good time, she totally forgot what she had done.  Jennifer, oblivious to what Robin had done, had a ball, too.

 

Finally, around 12:00, Charlie took them out for bagels and cream cheese.  After they ate, he would take them home and the family would decide on the rest of the day’s activities.

 

Carrying a bagel with cream cheese, in a small paper bag, for Mommy, Jenn pushed the door to their apartment open.  She was met with a very unhappy Mommy.  Lisa just stared at her daughter.

 

“What is it, Mommy? What’s wrong?” Jenn asked, fear in her voice.

 

Lisa just motioned for Jenn to follow her.  She put the bag with the bagel down on the counter and followed her mother.  Robin followed, close behind.

 

When they got to the girls’ room, Lisa pointed to the empty cage.  Jenn was shocked.  “But, where’s Thumper, Mommy?” she asked.

 

Lisa, with her hands on her hips, still, stared down at Jennifer.  “You tell me, young lady!” she said, not even hiding the fact that she was completely aggravated.

 

Charlie, who stood behind Robin, just stared.  “Jennifer Lynn, you were supposed to put that rabbit back in before we left this morning.”

 

“I did, Daddy!” Jenn cried.

 

“Well, you obviously didn’t make sure the lid was tight, now did you?  Lisa, did you search the apartment?” Charlie asked.

 

“Yes, hon.  I got up, took a shower, got dressed, and came in here to straighten up, when I saw the cage open and the rabbit missing.  At first, I thought maybe you let Jennifer take it to work, but then I realized how ridiculous that was.  I searched the kitchen, den, and our bedroom.  I can’t find it anywhere.”

 

Charlie sighed.  “I just knew this was a bad idea.  Jennifer, you had better find that bunny, and quick.  You are already in deep trouble, young lady!”

 

Jennifer looked at Robin.  “Will you help me look, Robin?”

 

Robin waited until her parents left the room.  Then she looked at Jenn and shrugged.  “Why should I?  You haven’t even let me play with it all weekend.  Aren’t you afraid I’ll hurt it or scare it or something?” she asked facetiously.

 

Jenn just stared at her sister.  “Oh, Robin, I’m sorry!  I promise when we find Thumper, you can play with him all afternoon, okay?  Pleeeease help me find him.  Daddy’s gonna kill me.”

 

Robin thought about it.  Then she decided, “Okay, I’ll help you.  But you better let me play with him.”

 

“I will, I will,” Jenn said.  The two of them searched their room, from wall to wall.  They checked their closets, and under their bed.  Nope, that rabbit was not in their room.

 

Robin wondered how far Thumper could have gone.  She was sure he didn’t get out when she and Jenn and Daddy had left that morning.  She didn’t think her mother had gone anywhere either.  So he was definitely in the apartment.  But where?

 

Jenn searched the bathroom, checking behind the shower curtain, even going so far as to peek into the toilet.  “Not there,” she said to herself, “thank god.” 

 

She couldn’t figure out how Thumper had gotten out.  She remembered putting him back into his cage.  She was also sure she made sure the lid was on tight.  Then again, she had been excited to go to Daddy’s work.  Jennifer guessed it was possible that she hadn’t made sure.  But she thought she did.

 

The two girls searched their parents’ bedroom, from top to bottom.  No sign of Thumper.  Where could that rabbit be?

 

Charlie and Lisa sat in the den, discussing things.  Charlie was adamant that Jennifer receive a spanking.  He couldn’t believe that she had been so careless, after all she had begged for this opportunity and promised when they had said yes.  He was angry.

 

The girls checked the kitchen, and then moved on into the den.  No one said a word.  They just looked behind the couch, behind the television set, picked up games and moved the end tables.  They looked at each other.  Even Robin was worried.  Where could Thumper be?

 

Jenn looked at Charlie.  “Daddy, we can’t find him,” she cried.

 

“You are in very big trouble, little girl,” he said.  “I want you to go into my bedroom and wait for me.”  Jenn didn’t move.  “RIGHT NOW!” he insisted.

 

“Yes, sir,” she cried, and ran to her parent’s room.

 

Robin just stood there.  She felt a little guilty, since the bunny was still missing.  But she didn’t care that her sister was going to get it.  “Good,” she thought, “this’ll teach her a lesson.”

 

Robin started to leave the den, when Lisa pulled her back.  “You stay here, lovey.  Sit down next to Mommy.  Let’s try to think where that bunny could be.”

 

“Okay, Mommy,” Robin thought.  She was going to go to her room and listen to Jennifer get it.  But, she guessed, just knowing Jenn was getting a spanking was enough for her.  She sat down next to Lisa.  The two of them thought about where that rabbit could be.

 

Meanwhile, Charlie went into his room and saw Jennifer lying on his bed.  He went over to her and made her sit up.  Her face was tear-streaked.  “Oh, Daddy, I’m so sorry!” she cried.

 

“You are about to be even sorrier, young lady.  Come over here!” he said, sternly, pointing to his right side.  He sat on his dressing chair and waited for his little girl to come over to him. 

 

Slowly, Jennifer climbed off the big bed and went to stand next to Daddy.  Charlie just looked at her.  “How could you let this happen, Jennifer Lynn?  You promised you would take extra good care of that rabbit.”

 

“I know, Daddy, I’m sorry.  I thought I closed the lid tight.  Honest.  I don’t know how this happened,” she stated.

 

“Well, it won’t be happening again for a very long time, little girl,” Charlie stated.  “And you had better hope we find that rabbit!”

 

As he spoke that last statement, Charlie pulled Jennifer’s pants and panties down in one full swoop.  He made her step out of them.  He knew she would not want to pull them up after he got done with her.

 

Then he laid her across his lap and started her spanking right away.  {Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!}

 

“Owwwww, OW, Dadddy!  Stop!  I’m sorry!” Jenn yelled.

 

But her daddy didn’t stop.  He kept her spanking up, and lectured her on the responsibilities of taking care of a pet while he spanked.

 

{Smack!} “You will learn {Smack!} to take {Smack!} care {Smack!} of animals better {Smack!} before you bring {Smack!} another one {Smack!} home to this {Smack!} house.  Do you {Smack!} understand {Smack!} me, young lady?” {Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!}

 

“Owwww, yes, Daddy.  Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Jenn cried.

 

{Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!} {Smack!}  “All right, Jennifer, your spanking is over!” Charlie said, lifting her up to her feet.

 

He stood her in front of him and looked into her eyes.  “I’m sorry I had to do that, young lady.  But you must learn to take better care of your responsibilities.”

 

“Yes, Daddy,” Jenn said, crying into her daddy’s chest.  “I’m sorry, too.  And we’ll find Thumper, I promise!”

 

Charlie continued to hold and cuddle Jennifer tightly.  “I hope so, Jenn, I really hope so.”

 

While Charlie was getting Jennifer ready to take a nap, Robin and Lisa were still wondering where that rabbit could be.  Lisa suggested looking in the bathroom.  “But Mommy, me and Jenn checked there already.  He wasn’t there!”

 

“Well, I don’t know where he could be,” Lisa said.  “He has to be in this apartment somewhere.  It’s not that big.”

 

Robin thought.  “I know.  It’s not like anyone went out anywhere, right?”

 

Lisa just looked at her daughter then.  “OH, wait a minute, I did go out.”

 

“You did? Where, Mommy?” Robin said, a feeling of guilt washing over her.

 

Lisa explained.  “Wendy came over to return something she borrowed, and I stepped into the hall with her for a few minutes, talking.”

 

Robin sighed.  “Yeah, but Mommy, you would have noticed if Thumper hopped past you, wouldn’t you?”

 

Lisa thought.  “Yes, sweetie, if I had been in the hall the whole time.  Oh, my god!”

 

“What, Mommy?” Robin asked, already panicking.

 

“I went into Wendy’s apartment for a few minutes, so she could show me something.  I left our door open the whole time,” Lisa stated.

 

“No, Mommy, tell me you didn’t,” Robin said.  She had started to cry.  “No, Mommy,” she repeated.

 

Lisa looked at Robin with a question on her face.  “Why are you crying, Robin? Don’t worry; I’m sure we’ll find the bunny.  One of the neighbors is sure to have seen a strange rabbit hop by.”

 

Robin just continued to cry.  She knew this was all her fault.  She didn’t know what to do or say.  She knew if she told the truth, she’d be in big, big trouble.  But if she kept quiet, she would feel guilty for a long time.  “Oh, why did I have to do it?” she asked herself.

 

Charlie came back into the room, then.  He sat down on the couch and sighed.  He heard Robin crying softly and looked at her.  “What’s wrong, lovey?” 

 

Robin just stared at her daddy and continued to cry.  Charlie looked at Lisa.  “Did something happen?” he asked.

 

Lisa explained to Charlie that she thought the rabbit might have left the apartment when she went next door to Wendy’s for a minute.

 

“OH, Lisa!” Charlie said.

 

“Well, Charlie, I was only gone for a minute.  I didn’t know that Jennifer had left his cage open!” she said in her own defense.

 

That’s when Robin said, “She didn’t.”

 

Both Charlie and Lisa turned to stare at Robin.  “What do you mean, Robin?” Lisa asked.

 

With tears streaming down her face, Robin faced both her parents and said, “I did it.  It’s all my fault.  I let Thumper out.”

 

She put her head down onto the couch cushions, then, and cried hysterically.  Lisa looked at Charlie and then back at Robin.  Charlie was fuming.

 

“You did WHAT?!” he asked, not hiding his annoyance.

 

Muffled by the couch cushions, Robin repeated what she had said. “I let him out.”

 

Charlie got up then and started pacing.  He was furious.  Not only had Robin done this terrible thing, but she had let him spank Jennifer for something she hadn’t even done. 

 

“I need some air,” Charlie announced.  He stomped to the door and went out.  Lisa just continued to stare down at Robin.

 

“I cannot believe you did this, little girl,” Lisa said, lifting Robin up so she would look at her in her face.

 

“I know, Mommy.  It was naughty.  I’m sorry!” Robin tried.

 

“Robin, I’m afraid an I’m sorry is not going to help you at all, this time.  Why would you even think to do such a thing at all?” Lisa asked.

 

Robin looked at her mother.  She knew that what she was about to say would not cut it, but she tried anyway.  “I was jealous, Mommy.  Jennifer wouldn’t let me pet Thumper, or play with him, or nothing.  I was trying to get back at her.  I didn’t know he would get lost.  I just thought. . . ” she stopped.

 

But Lisa finished for her.  “You just thought that Jennifer would get in trouble for letting Thumper out.”

 

Robin just nodded.  “That was a very naughty thing to do, Robin,” Lisa explained.  “You purposely did something to get your sister in trouble.  My god, you even let Daddy spank her, and she didn’t even do anything.”  Lisa’s voice was rising, now.

 

“I know, Mommy.  I feel bad,” Robin admitted.  She turned away again.

 

Lisa turned her back to her.  “No, you don’t.  You only feel bad that the bunny is missing.  Isn’t that true?  You’re not sorry that your sister got into trouble at all, are you?  That’s what you wanted to have happen.”

 

Robin didn’t say a word, but she didn’t have to.  Lisa knew the truth.  “I’m afraid Daddy and I are going to have to be very strict with you about this, Robin.  You are in very severe trouble.”

 

“Yes, Mommy,” Robin said.  She knew she was in big trouble.  She had done the right thing by admitting what she had done, but she did it too late.  The bunny was missing and Jenn had a sore bottom that she didn’t deserve.

 

Lisa walked Robin into her bathroom and sat her on the toilet seat.  “Your sister is in your room taking a nap.  After I wash your mouth out with soap, you’re going to lie down on my bed until Daddy gets back.  Later, you will apologize to your sister.  Am I understood, young lady?” Lisa asked.

 

“Yes, Mommy,” Robin replied.

 

Lisa then proceeded to take a washcloth and wet it.  She lathered the cloth up with soap and told Robin to open her mouth wide.  Robin didn’t dare not listen.  Lisa scrubbed Robin’s mouth out very thoroughly. 

 

When she was finished, Robin leaned over to get the cup to rinse her mouth, but Lisa stopped her.  “No, I’m sorry, little girl, we’re not done here yet.”  Lisa then took the bar of soap and placed it in Robin’s mouth.  Before she could protest, Lisa tapped her chin to close up.

 

“You not only didn’t tell Daddy and I the truth, but you made sure your sister got in trouble, too.  That is a kind of lie, Robin Elizabeth, and we will not tolerate it.  Do you understand me?” Lisa said, angrily.

 

All Robin could do was nod.  After several minutes, Lisa took the bar of soap out of Robin’s mouth and let her rinse.  “That was yucky, Mommy,” she cried.

 

“Lying and keeping the truth from us is yucky, too, young lady.  Let’s make sure that never happens again,” Lisa warned.

 

She then led Robin to the big bed and told her to lie down.  “Daddy will be in to punish you in a little while.  I suggest you lay here and think about what you’re going to say to him, little girl,” Lisa said sternly.  Then she left the room.

 

Robin lay there and cried.  She could not think of what to say.  Everything she thought of sounded terrible even to her.  She was one sorry little girl right then.

 

About an hour after he left, Charlie came back up to the apartment.  He wandered into the den, and found Lisa rubbing Jennifer’s back.  She was lying across Lisa’s lap on the couch.  He went over to them and lifted Jennifer into his own lap.

 

Charlie looked at Lisa and silently asked her if she had told Jenn the truth.  Lisa nodded.  Charlie hugged Jenn close to him.  “I am so sorry, baby,” he said.  “I had no idea that your sister would do what she did.”

 

“Me neither, Daddy,” Jenn said, quietly.  But she was feeling bad, as well.  She knew that she had wronged Robin by not letting her see and pet the rabbit.  She also felt terrible, because after more searching, they still could not find Thumper.

 

“Your sister is in very big trouble, Jennifer,” Charlie explained.

 

Jenn just nodded.  “Daddy? What if we can’t find Thumper? What am I gonna tell Mrs. Gordon and the kids at school?” Jenn wailed.

 

“Don’t worry, baby, he’ll turn up.  Animals always do,” Charlie said gently.  He stood up and put Jenn back into Lisa’s lap.  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to tend to some very unpleasant business.”

 

Charlie and Lisa exchanged a look before he left.  Lisa also told Charlie she had washed Robin’s mouth out with soap twice.  He just nodded.  One less thing he would have to worry about.

 

He entered his bedroom and saw Robin lying on his bed.  “Robin? You up?” he said softly.  Robin turned over and looked at her daddy.  Her cheeks were tear stained.  “Yes, sir,” she said quietly.

 

“Come here, young lady,” he said, for the second time that day.  At least he knew that this time he was punishing the right one.

 

“I don’t think I even have to ask you if you know why you’re getting this spanking, do I?”

 

“No, sir,” Robin answered, standing to his right side.

 

“I am going to spank you for the stunt that you pulled, and also for lying to all of us.  I cannot believe that you have done this, Robin.  After your spanking, you are confined to your room except for dinner tonight, and grounded for the next week.  Do you understand?”

 

Robin knew she was in big trouble.  But she thought her daddy was taking it a few steps too far.  She cried, “But Daddy, pleeeease, I'm sorry!”

 

“You will be even sorrier after your punishment -- and if you keep whining you will be VERY sorry.  Now go get the hairbrush from Mommy’s dresser.”

 

When Robin didn’t move, Charlie turned her around and smacked her seat sharply.  “RIGHT NOW, YOUNG LADY!  If I have to get up to get it, you will wish you had gotten it yourself.”

 

Robin ran to her mother’s dresser and took the oval shaped wooden hairbrush off and over to her daddy.  She handed it to him.  He took it from her, pulled down her pants and panties in one swift motion and laid her over his lap.

 

Charlie lifted up his hand, first, and Robin started to whimper.  {Smack!}  {Smack!}  {Smack!}  {Smack!}  {Smack!}  {Smack!} 

 

“I cannot, {Smack!} absolutely not, {Smack!} believe {Smack!} what you have done, Robin.  {Smack!} {Smack!} I am so disappointed in you. {Smack!} Not only did you pull this {Smack!} little stunt, without realizing the consequences {Smack!} {Smack!} of it, but you let your sister {Smack!} take the blame for it, {Smack!} and receive a spanking {Smack!} which she did not deserve!” {Smack!} {Smack!} 

 

Robin was crying real hard, now.  “OWWWW, owww, Daddy, I’m sorrrry!  OWWWW, please stop, it hurts!” she cried.

 

“Stop? I’ve barely started, young lady,” Charlie stated.  At that point, he reached for the hairbrush that he had set on the side table and raised it above Robin’s bottom.  He could see that it was already a nice shade of pink.  But it would get much redder before he was through with her.

 

Robin sobbed over her Daddy’s lap.  She was already a very sorry little girl.  Never again, would she do something like this.  It just wasn’t worth it.

 

{Whack!}{Whack!}{Whack!}{Whack!}{Whack!} “You will not {Whack!} pull stunts like this {Whack!} on other people, especially your sister.” {Whack!}

 

“Okay, I’m sorrrry!” Robin cried.

 

{Whack!} “This kind of thing upsets and {Whack!} hurts people {Whack!} and they can go wrong, {Whack!} like this one did.” {Whack!}

 

“I know, I know!” Robin shouted.  “I didn’t mean for Thumper to get lost, Daddy, honest, I didn’t!”

 

Charlie stopped for a minute.  “I know you didn’t, Robin, but you didn’t even think about what could happen.  What you did was very wrong.  And I’m punishing you to make sure you remember for a very long time.”

 

At that point, Charlie commenced with the spanking. {Whack!} “And you will not {Whack!} lie or keep the truth from your mother and I {Whack!} if you do, {Whack!} do something like this. {Whack!} Is {Whack!} that {Whack!} clear, {Whack!} Robin?” {Whack!}

 

“Yes, Daddy, please stop, it hurts! I’m sorry, I won’t do it again!”  Robin blurted out, through her sobs.  She was crying hard, now, and Charlie knew this was a sign that she was truly sorry.

 

He put down the hairbrush and started to rub Robin’s bottom.  It was bright red, now.  “All right, your spanking is over, Robin.”

 

She just continued to lay there, unmoving.  Charlie could hear her lingering sobs.  He helped her to gently stand up and then he hugged her close to him.

 

"Robin, I'm sorry that I had to spank you, but I wanted to teach you a lesson.  You know that I still love you, don’t you, lovey?”

 

Robin nodded.  “Yes, Daddy.  I love you, too.  I’m sorry I let Thumper out.  I was mad at Jennifer, but I shouldn’t have done it.”

 

“No, you shouldn’t have.  But it’s all over now.  You’ve been punished and you’re forgiven.  You’ll still have to apologize to your sister, and also keep to your grounding, but otherwise, you’re my good girl again.”  Charlie hugged her tight.

 

But Robin didn’t feel like a good girl again.  She felt like a very sorry little girl.  And she also knew that it was her fault that Thumper was still missing.

 

Charlie let Robin have a few minutes to compose herself, and wash her face.  He helped her pull up her pants, making sure to do so carefully.  She would be sore for several hours.  Then he led her into the den, where Jenn was still sitting with Lisa.  He could tell that she had been crying.

 

He positioned Robin so that she was standing directly in front of Jennifer.  “Go on,” he said.

 

Robin looked at her sister and said, “Jennifer, I’m sorry I let Thumper out.  And I’m sorry I let you get a spanking for it.”

 

Jenn just looked at Robin and said, “Yeah, whatever!”

 

“Jennifer!” Charlie said.  “Your sister is apologizing to you.”

 

“The least you can do is accept it,” Lisa said.

 

“Fine, I accept her apology.  But that still leaves me one rabbit short.  I have to find Thumper!” she wailed.

 

Robin burst into tears and ran out of the room.  Lisa looked at Charlie but neither of them moved.  It would do her some good to feel guilty for a while, they both thought to themselves.

 

Robin stayed in her room until dinner time.  Jenn watched t.v., colored, and moped.  On and off, she would look for Thumper, but to no avail.  It didn’t seem possible that that rabbit was anywhere in the apartment.

 

Right before dinner, Charlie even took Jenn on a canvass of the rest of the apartment building.  They knocked and rang doorbells and asked if anyone had seen a little brown bunny.  But nobody had.

 

They checked the lobby, the basement, the laundry room, and even outside in the playground.  But there was no sign of Thumper.  Jenn was distraught.  She didn’t know what she was going to tell her teacher and her class when she went back to school the next day.

 

Finally after searching everywhere a second time, Charlie said, “Come on, baby, it’s time for dinner.”

 

“I’m not hungry, Daddy,” Jenn said, mournfully.

 

“Well, you still have to sit there.  Let’s go!”  Charlie took Jenn’s hand and led her up to their apartment in the elevator.

 

When they got back to the apartment, Charlie’s look told Lisa that they hadn’t found Thumper.  But Lisa was smiling.  “Guess what, Jenn?” she said.

 

Jennifer did not even look up at her mother.  She didn’t know Lisa was smiling.  “What?” she asked.

 

“Go look in your room,” Lisa exclaimed.

 

Charlie was just as curious as Jenn.  He followed his daughter to her room.  There, inside his cage, was Thumper, chewing happily on a carrot.

 

“THUMPER!” Jenn cried, rushing over to the cage.  Robin was sitting on her bed, watching her sister.  Jennifer looked over at Robin and then at her mother and father.

 

“Where’d you find her?” she asked no one in particular.

 

Lisa beamed.  “She was under the kitchen sink.  She had knocked over the garbage pail down there, and was eating the vegetable scraps from the salad I had made.”

 

Charlie smiled.  “Under the sink,” he said.  “Who would have thought to look there?”

 

Jennifer ran over to her mommy and hugged her tight.  “I’m glad you made a salad, Mommy.  Thank you for finding him.”

 

Lisa smiled.  “I didn’t, Jenn.  Your sister did.”

 

Everyone looked over at Robin then.  She just smiled.  “Mommy was peeling the carrots into the garbage pail, but then I noticed it had fallen over.  When I went to straighten it, there was Thumper, eating the peels.”

 

Then Jenn did something that neither Charlie nor Lisa would have guessed.  She ran over to Robin and hugged her tight.  “Oh, Robin, thank you for finding Thumper.”

 

Robin was as surprised as her parents.  She just put her own arms around her sister and hugged her back tight.  “I’m sorry I lost him in the first place, sis,” she said.

 

Jenn let go of Robin and looked at her.  “And I’m sorry I didn’t let you play with him.  I know how much you like rabbits.”

 

The two girls smiled, and hugged again.  Jenn was so happy that Thumper had been found that she didn’t care how he got lost in the first place.  She even was able to forgive Robin for the spanking she got which she shouldn’t have gotten.

 

It was a happy evening in the Clemente household.  An evening which wasn’t likely to happen again for a long time.

 

The End.