FRIDAY
Mr. Springer leaned back in his chair, while his secretary, Miss Jones, placed a call to Roger's school. He'd called earlier and talked to the librarian, Mrs. Johnson. She confirmed that Roger had not been at the library yesterday afternoon. She knew Roger very well, too well it seemed. Roger had been to the library earlier that morning, along with his whole class, but had done little other than talk and disturb those who were trying to work.
"I suggest you talk to Roger's homeroom teacher about his poor deportment."
Mrs. Johnson transferred the call back to the front office. They said Mr. Ryan was unavailable at the moment and suggested that he call back sometime between 1:00 and 2:00, when Mr. Ryan had a free period.
"I've got Mr. Ryan on the line," announced Miss Jones.
"Ah, Mr. Springer, I've actually been meaning to give you a call. Roger's behavior at school is beginning to cause problems. I understand from some of Roger's other teacher's that he's behind on his homework. I know he's missing several history assignments. But more than that, he just doesn't sit still, and is always talking. This is a problem that lots of 7th graders have, adjusting to Junior High school. I have Roger in my 7th period history class. Did he tell you that I kept him late after school yesterday?"
"No, he didn't. Roger didn't say anything about being kept after school. Exactly what time did you let him go?"
"I'm not surprised that Roger didn't say anything. I don't suppose many kids are going to rush home and tell their parents that they were kept late after school. I kept Roger a full hour, Mr. Springer, that is until 4:30 exactly."
Mr. Springer could see it all clearly now. There's no way his son could have made it to little league practice, as early as he did, if he'd been kept after school until 4:30. Roger must have left Mr. Ryan's class, spotted the unlocked bike and, knowing that he'd miss baseball practice if he walked to the field, had decided to help himself to a free ride. Leaving poor Mike to pay the consequences.
After finishing his conversation with Mr. Ryan, Mr. Springer found it hard to control his temper. Roger was behind on his homework in a number of his classes, couldn't stop talking in class, had lied to him on at least two occasions about staying after school to work on his science project and, to top it off, had stolen a classmate's bike. A classmate who had obviously paid dearly for the theft. Mr. Shaw had said that Mike was punished for leaving his bike unlocked, but if Roger hadn't stolen the bike in the first place, Mike would almost certainly not have received a spanking.
The more Mr. Springer thought about his son's behavior the angrier he got. Yesterday, at the ballpark, Roger had as much as ordered him to get his bike repaired. He didn't deserve that bike. If he needed a bike so bad he'd have used his allowance money to have it repaired. And that was another thing. Mr. Springer gave Roger $5.00 a week allowance, and for what? So his son could sit around and watch TV all day. Mr. Springer couldn't remember the last time Roger had helped out around the house.
He started to contrast his son's behavior with that of Mr. Shaw's boy. Hadn't Mike said something about getting home before five so he could help his mom out in the kitchen. When was the last time, hell, when was the first time Roger helped out anywhere? The only thing Roger had done lately was to help himself to Mike's bike. Mike was polite too, yes sir this, and yes sir that. When was the last time Roger showed either him, or his mother a little respect? I've been too easy on the boy, thought Mr. Springer.
Then, Bob remembered that he'd told Ed that he'd drop by to let him know what, if anything, he'd found out about his son's bike. Mr. Springer thought that he might just use this opportunity to have a long talk with Mr. Shaw about discipline.
* * *
Mr. Springer had just finished telling Ed what he'd learned about his son's behavior at school.
"You know Ed, I feel bad about your son getting spanked for something that Roger's to blame for. I'd like to make it up, I'd like Mike to have Roger's 10 speed, if that's okay with you."
"As I told you yesterday, Bob, Mike was spanked because he broke his promise to me about keeping the bike locked. I can't and won't let him accept your son's bike as a reward for breaking his promise to me; it's just not right."
"I understand what you're saying. But Roger needs to be taught a lesson. Maybe if he had some understanding of what Mike went through as a consequence of this theft."
"If you really want your son to appreciate what Mike went through, perhaps you ought to consider giving the boy a spanking?"
"That's something I've actually thought about, Ed, but I'm going to have to talk my wife into that. We've never spanked Roger before, but perhaps that's been a mistake. My main concern is that having never dealt with him that way, I'm not at all sure how he will react or even how severe to be with him. If it were your son in Roger's position how would you deal with him? The same way you did yesterday?
"Not really, Bob. Mike got a spanking for failing to lock his bike. Roger would be getting a spanking for stealing -- that's not exactly the same thing. I put a razor strop across Mike's bare bottom six times yesterday for what he did. I'd have given him more but I know he'd learned his lesson and was truly sorry. Furthermore, Mike has been very helpful around the house since we've moved. From what you tell me about Roger, there sure don't seem to be any extenuating circumstances that would warrant letting him off easy. If I spanked Mike for all that, he'd have a hard time sitting down when I was through, if you know what I mean. Not that he'd be doing much sitting anyway, I'd have him standing up in a corner most of the weekend."
"That seems logical enough to me. Roger needs to be taught a lesson. Missing his Little League game and standing in the corner would give him something to think about. As for not being able to sit down, that might be just what the doctor ordered."
"Keep something in mind, Bob. Spanking is a parenting tool just like any other. If it's not done property, there's no point to it. When you were at my house last night you said I had a fine son and were impressed by his good manners. Well, let me tell you something. Those manners didn't spring up over night; they were cultivated. There were times, when that boy was eight or nine years old, when I'd have traded him in for a mule and, having done so, would have considered myself to have gotten the better end of the bargain. Let me tell you that boy was stubborn! Mike probably spent more hours standing in the corner with his jeans wrapped around his ankles than your son spends watching TV."
"Are you saying that it's too late?," asked Mr. Springer.
"No, not at all. But you are getting a late start. More than that, if you embark on this line of discipline now, you're going to have to follow through. This isn't something that you start tonight and finish tomorrow or next week."
"I don't want to hurt your feelings Bob, but your son isn't completely to blame for his behavior. It seems to me that you've let him take advantage of you. You've tolerated his idleness and accepted his disrespect for thirteen years. You and your wife are going to have work together if you expect your son to master his impulses and not be their slave. That doesn't mean your wife has to spank the boy, but she does have to back you up. When the boy misbehaves, she has to let him know, in no uncertain terms, that he will be spanked. I'm sure Roger's a good and decent boy, but right now he lacks self discipline. He's like a two year old colt that hasn't been ridden, he's got the makings of a good stallion, but you've got your work cut out for you. If you hope to turn him around, you're going to have to gain his respect. "
Mr. Springer could have done without the horse analogy, but he got the point. Clearly things would have to change and this was the most direct way he could think to get Roger's attention. He thanked Mr. Shaw and asked if he could borrow the razor strop for the evening.
* * * *
Conversation at the Springer's dinner table went much as usual. Roger said he was glad it was Friday and that school was over for another week. He just couldn't wait for his Little League game tomorrow afternoon; he'd show Mr. Browning what a good hitter he was. Mr. Springer made a mental note to have Roger call Mr. Browning later (from his corner) to fess up for what he had done, and apologize for letting down the team.
Prior to sitting down to eat, Mr. Springer had had a long conversation with his wife Dorothy. He told her what all Roger had been up to and what he wanted to do about it. She had objected at first, but he backed up his arguments with logic and was able to get her to reluctantly agree. He would have put his foot down if it had been necessary, but he was very glad that it was not. He and Dorothy almost never overrode each others' objections about matters in their life.
After dinner Mrs. Springer went and started washing the dishes. Roger plunked himself in front of the TV and turned some silly sitcom up to a high volume. Mr. Springer shook his head to himself and went to his study. He really must not have been paying attention these last few years. How had he let Roger become such a lazy brat? Sitting behind his desk, he opened the drawer and looked at the razor strop. That thing was going to really hurt his son. But it was better now than later. Roger would not make it far in life with his current attitude.
"Roger, would you come in here for a minute, please," he called out.
"Aw, Dad, can't it wait until the commercial?" Roger replied.
"No, it can't. I want you in here now."
"All right, just a minute."
Mr. Springer listened, but he could here no sign that Roger had gotten up. This boy really did need a lesson in respect.
"Now, Roger!" he barked, raising his voice for the first time.
"All right, geez!" He heard Roger get up from the couch and walk slowly towards the study. As he came in the door, he was looking backwards at the TV.
"Close the door and sit down, Roger."
"But then I won't be able to hear the TV," Roger complained.
"I don't want you to hear the _d_a_m_n_ TV, I want you to listen to me!" Mr. Springer snapped. Roger promptly closed the door and sat in the chair in front of the desk. When his dad swore, it meant that he was quite pissed off. He sat there silently while Mr. Springer regained his calm state.
"Roger, I wanted to ask you something. Is there anything more you know about how that Shaw boy's bicycle wound up by the road yesterday?"
"What's to know, Dad? Somebody stole it and left it there. Did they find out who?"
"You know Roger, I'm glad you used the word 'stole' and not 'borrowed' just now. And, to answer your question, Yes, as a matter of fact. I do know who stole Mike's bicycle from the school, just as you do."
Roger was taken by surprise and suddenly wished he hadn't asked that question. But what could Dad know? And, just as important, what could he prove?
"I'm not going to beat around the bush with you Roger. I know the truth. What I'd like you to do right now is think about that for a moment. Then, in your own words, tell me how Mike's bike ended up where it did. Remember Roger, I want the truth."
Everything was quiet for a few moments as Roger looked at his dad.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"That's too bad Roger, I was hoping that you would start telling the truth. But I guess you're not ready for the truth yet. But you will be, I promise you that," Mr. Springer said. He leaned forward on the desk and looked his son right in the eye.
"Roger, I know that you stole Mike's from the bicycle racks at school yesterday. I talked to your home room teacher this afternoon. I know that you were kept after school yesterday and that you did not leave Mr. Ryan's classroom until 4:30. When you left you knew you were late for Little League practice. When you found Mike's bike unlocked you decided to steal the bike and ride it to the ball park. Isn't that what happened?"
Roger sat there silently, trying to think of a way out. This wasn't a bluff, his dad clearly knew the truth.
"It's your fault you know! If you'd taken my ten speed to the repair shop, and got that flat tire fixed, I wouldn't have had to borrow Mike's bike."
"You didn't borrow Mike's bicycle Roger; you stole it."
"So what! It's his fault too. If he'd kept his bike locked I wouldn't have been able to steal it. He deserved to have it stolen; to teach him a lesson about locking bikes."
"Mike learned a lesson about locking his bike, Roger. When he got home his father gave him a spanking, But I don't think that leaving his bike unlocked justifies your stealing. Do you?"
"Maybe not," replied Roger, who was having second thoughts about the wisdom of his arguments. Maybe it was time to adopt a more conciliatory approach. 'Let's face it,' thought Roger to himself, 'I've been caught red handed. If I don't 'lighten up Dad might take away my TV privileges for a week, and I wouldn't want that!'
"I think it's time that you were taught a lesson," announced his father. In fact I think it's way past time that you were taught a number of things. Mike was given a spanking for leaving his bike unlocked. I think its only fair that you also be given a spanking."
"No way! I'm too big to be spanked. You're not going to spank me."
"You're not too big to spank. You're too big to be stealing, Roger. You're certainly old enough to know better. But since you've chosen to behave like a little boy, a boy who doesn't know right from wrong, you're going to be treated like a little boy. You're going to spanked the way you should have been spanked when you were little. I'm sorry your mother and I didn't spank you when you were a little boy. If we had, you probably wouldn't be getting a spanking tonight."
"Look, I'll go and apologize to Mike. I'll go to bed early, without watching TV. How's that?"
"No Roger," said Dad, "You're right about not watching TV. You're TV days are over until I say otherwise. But you are going to be spanked, and with your pants pulled down."
Roger couldn't believe his ears. He was not going to be spanked. He certainly wasn't going to have his pants pulled down for a spanking. Roger got up and started to walk out of the room, he'd didn't have to listen to all this nonsense.
"SIT DOWN!" Mr. Springer commanded.
The sound of his Dad's firm voice telling him to sit down sent shivers down his spine. Without meaning to, Roger sat down.
Just as Roger sat, Mr. Springer pulled the razor strop from out of the drawer and laid it on the desk. Roger had never seen a razor strop outside of a barbers office. He found it hard to take his eyes off the thing. The strop must have been at least 2 feet long, 3 inches wide and as thick as his little finger. The leather was squared off at the free end, and looped, then sewn, around a large metal ring at the other end.
"You're not going to spank me with that," remarked Roger with little conviction.
"You're about to get a rude shock if you think that," Mr. Springer said as he stood up and came from behind his desk.
This chair will do quite nicely," he said, putting his hand on the well padded arm rest of the chair his son was sitting in. "Roger, I want you to stand right here and do what I tell you."
Again, without knowing why, Roger stood up just as he'd been instructed.
"I want you to put your hands right here ...that's right ... and hold on to that padding just as tight as you can. Do you understand me."
"Yeah," mumbled Roger.
"When you address me you will say 'Yes Sir' and 'No Sir,' and when you address your mother you will say 'Yes ma'am' and 'No Ma'am,' is that understood."
"Yeah, I mean Yes sir."
Roger couldn't understand why he was doing everything he was told. More than anything he wanted to bolt out of the study (the house) and run away. But for some unknown reason he stood there, frozen. His whole body felt strange, kind of nervous, cold, and edgy; all at the same time.
"You're going to be spanked Roger. I've never spanked you before. That's too bad. It would help if you had some idea of just how painful this spanking is going to be. But you'll find out all about that soon enough. I just want to tell you something. No matter how much it hurts, I want you to keep holding on to the padding on the side of this chair. Don't let go for any reason. Keeping your hands on that arm rest will give you something to focus on and will, at the same time, keep your hands out of the way, so they won't get struck by the strop. If you feel that you must let go for some reason, you tell me, and I'll let you rest for a few seconds. Do you understand?"
"Yes ... ... ... I mean Yes sir."
"Now I want you to undo your belt and pull your pants down around your ankles."
"Do we have to do this? Can't you spank me with my pants on?"
"I could, but I'm not going to. I think this spanking will mean more to you, and you will remember it a lot better, if your pants are pulled down. Now do what I told you."
Almost as though he were under a spell, Roger loosened his belt, undid the snap at the top of his pants, opened the zipper and pushed his tight fitting blue jeans down as far as he could get them. When he was through the jeans acted as handcuffs keeping his legs both apart and together at the same time.
"Now I want you to pull your underpants down just as far as you can get them."
This seemed to bring Roger back to his senses.
"No way Dad, you're not going to spank me like that. I'm going to get Mom and she'll tell you that you can't do that to me."
"I've already discussed this in detail with your mother, Roger," said Mr. Springer. "Going begging to Mommy isn't going to get you out of this. I don't want to hear any more argument. Get those underpants pulled down NOW."
Slowly, Roger grabbed the elastic waste band of his jockey shorts and pulled them down to an area just above his shoes. Returning his hands to the side of the chair when finished.
With that, Mr. Springer picked the razor strop up from off the desk.
CRRAAACK went the strop as it wrapped itself around Roger's bottom. Roger wasn't prepared for such pain. He let go of the arm rest and, because he was trying to move about with his legs shackled by his blue jeans, he nearly fell to the floor.
"Oh God, please stop, no more please. I'm sorry."
"I know this is difficult for you Roger. My father spanked me as a boy. I know how much it hurts, but you're going to have to bear it and keep your hands on the chair as I've instructed. Now put your hands back where they belong, and don't let go again."
"I can't help it. Please stop. I'll do anything you say but please no more spanking."
"Put your hands back NOW, I'm not going to ask you again."
Roger slowly put his hands back, he was still trying to move his feet, shifting his weight from one foot to the other."
CRRAAACK!!! This time the strop cut cleanly across his upper legs."
Again Roger let go of the chair. "NO MORE, PLEASE, I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY. PLEASE STOP."
"I don't want to remind you again Roger. Put your hands back on the chair. Squeeze the armrest as tight as you can but don't let go. The more you let go the longer this is going to take."
Roger put his hands back.
CRRAAACK!!! Again, the strop cut across his upper legs, overlapping the previous stoke by an inch or so.
"GOD IT HURTS! ... Please stop, I'll do anything you want," said Roger. But this time, his hands remained on the chair. His hands gripped the armrest so tightly that his knuckles appeared to have been bled white.
CRRAAACK, the strop once again wrapped itself around Roger's bottom. By now, those areas struck by the belt had risen up about an eighth of an inch above the normal surface of his legs and bottom. These rises had already turned a bright shade of pink.
"NO MORE. PLEASE STOP!," Roger blubbered.
CRRAAACK, the strop returned to the area of his upper legs.
"I gotta let go. Please may I let go for a minute. It hurts so bad!!"
"Okay Roger, you may let go for while. I'll tell you when to put your hands back."
Roger had only received five strokes so far, but he was already sobbing. Mr. Springer fully intended to give Roger a lot more strokes before this would be over.
"Okay son, put your hands back on the chair."
Roger quickly complied.
CRRAAACK, again the strop wrapped itself around Roger's bottom overlapping the same area struck earlier by the first stroke.
CRRAAACK, the strop cut across his legs, just above his knees.
"NO MORE!. PLEASE, ENOUGH, I'M SORRY, PLEASE STOP!"
CRRAAACK!!!!!!!
Mr. Springer continued to spank Roger. When he had issued 14 strokes he stopped and allowed Roger to let go of the chair. Roger's bottom was bright pink from an area just above his knees to an area just below his waist. He was sobbing and nearly hyperventilating.
"Grab hold of the chair again, Roger."
"Pl.. pl.. ease .. .. no .. no .. no more."
Before continuing his son's spanking, Mr. Springer allowed Roger several minutes respite. He did this to give his son a chance to calm down, control his breathing, and because Mr. Springer wanted to talk to Roger and knew that, in his current state, he could hardly be expected to listen.
"It pains me to have to do this Roger .. but your attitude and poor conduct have really left me no other choice. You've stolen. You've lied. You've fallen behind on your school work. You're disrespectful; demanding. You treat your mother and me as though we were your personal slaves and not your parents."
"I've had enough, more than enough really. I expect a change, and I'm _d_a_m_n_ sure going to get one. If I have to, I'll spank you like this everyday. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes .. .. .. .. .. yes sir."
"I hope so, for your sake. I'm going to finish spanking you now, and then we'll talk some more."
"No, please. No more. I'm sorry. I can't take any more."
CRRAAACK!!
CRRAAACK!!
CRRAAACK!!
CRRAAACK!!
CRRAAACK!!
CRRAAACK!!
"PLEASE! No more. I'm sorry. I'll do anything. I'll do anything you say. I promise."
Mr. Sprinter put the strop down.
"Okay Roger. Pull your underwear and pants up, not all the way, just past your knees, and follow me."
Mr. Springer directed Roger to an area in the living room, situated just to the left of their fireplace.
"Okay, now I want you to pull your pants and underwear back down to where they were, just as far down as far as you can get them."
"I should give you another spanking, just like this, tomorrow . . ."
"NO, PLEASE . . ."
"Keep quiet and don't interrupt me again. I don't want you to speak, unless I ask you a question. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Now as I was saying, I should give you another spanking tomorrow. You certainly learned everything you've gotten so far. But, if you behave yourself, and do exactly what I tell you to do, I'll consider the slate wiped clean."
"I can tell you one thing. There are going to be some major changes around here."
"I'm going to give you a note book. Your going to take that note book to school and have your teachers write me a short note each day on your behavior in their class. I'm going to ask your teachers to give me a list of those assignments you've failed to turn in. You're going to make up those assignments and turn them in. I don't care if your teachers give you credit for turning the work in late, it will get turned in."
"I want you to stay after school and work on your homework at the library. I'm going to ask Mrs. Johnson to sign your notebook each day before you leave. I'm going to have her write down what time you arrive at the library, what time you leave to go home, and give me a status report on your 'demeanor'. If there are any negative reports in that notebook, or you forget to bring the book home, or fail to have any of your teachers sign the book, there will be a spanking."
"You are also going to start doing chores. You're going to help your mother around the house, and you will be assigned week-end chores that must be finished before you go out to play. Also, before you go anywhere, you will keep either your mother or me informed of your whereabouts."
You are grounded for the rest of this weekend. You will not play baseball tomorrow. When you see Mr. Browning, you will explain to him, in detail, why you missed the game. You will tell him what you did, how you were punished, and apologize to him for letting the team down. When I see Mr. Browning I'm going to ask him about this, so you better make sure you tell him everything. If you get your work done, and behave yourself at school, you may continue to participate in Little League. If not, then your Little League days are over."
"Now, I want you to turn around and stay turned around until I tell you to move. You keep your eyes glued to that wall. If I see you turn around, we'll go back to the chair for another spanking. You can move your arms around if you want, but those pants and underwear stay right where they are until I give you permission to pull them up. I want you to stand there and think about everything I've said."
Mr. Springer walked out of the living room into the kitchen to join his wife. As he walked out he gave Roger a quick going over with his eyes. His hands were now busy rubbing his inflamed buttocks and upper legs, both of which were now colored a deep red and marked with numerous welts.
Roger remained standing in the corner until 8:30 that evening. Then he took a warm bath, put on his light weight PJ's,. He sat at his desk and started working on his homework. He did not complain, even once.