The next morning, I went by the coaches' office before homeroom and knocked--feeling most apprehensive upon seeing Coach Charles was there.
"Yes, Jonathan?"
"Um Coach...I had to talk to you. Uh, I told a lie yesterday, you know, when I said I wasn't talking, and uh, I talked to my dad, and you know, we sort of decided that I should 'fess up and apologize to the rest of the class, especially the kids who did tell the truth." I really felt a nervous hole deep in my stomach as I stood there--Coach looking me in the eye.
"All Right. You could have gotten off--in fact you did, and yet now you are telling the truth. That shows bravery in your part--especially since there are five or six other kids who lied yesterday." He got up out of his chair and leaned against his desk, "Do you have any ideas about how I should punish you--since you lied and all? I mean, you realize that I should be a little harder on you than I would've been yesterday."
"Yes Sir." My mind was racing. First, this possibility of him asking me what he should do had never crossed my mind, Second, I had not realized the need to be harder on me, but now I did realize the logic of that decision. What could I come up with quick!? "Sir, I think that since Mike got it on his underpants, that is the way I should get it....and since I waited an extra day, I should get six instead of three..." he was still looking at me, so resignedly I took a deep breath and said, "I guess I should also get it with The Butt Buster." Involuntarily, my bottom clenched as I made that pronouncement.
"All Right. What I am gonna do is stand you up before class starts so you can apologize to the class. Then you can lower your gym shorts and bend over, and I'll give you five with the Butt Buster--which will make it clear that I expect the truth."
"Yes Sir." It was time to go to homeroom--and with the rotating schedule, I would be back in the gym in three hours--three long hours to think about the whistle and the sting and the embarrassment from having to say I had lied. But finally 11am came on that cold, windy late November day, and I slowly walked to the gym.
Silently, I changed into my blue gym shorts and shirt and tennis shoes--my heart beating rapidly and then with the rest of the class, I went down to wait for Coach Charles courtside. We all sat quietly in the basketball bleachers--most kids whispering but I really didn't want to communicate with anyone.
Then I heard a classmate, "Uh Oh--Here comes Coach Charles and he has the Butt Buster with him! Somebody's gonna get it!"
I looked over and felt like jumping out of my skin, as Coach Charles took his place in front of the class--seeing the looks on kids' faces as they wondered what would happen next. Sadly, I knew.
"All Right! Everyone be quiet!" Suddenly, no more noise--the shifting bodies and whispering stopped immediately. "Jonathan has somethin' he wants to say to the rest of the class!"
I stood up and went down to the floor. I stood in front of the coach, who was now tapping the Butt Buster on his hand. "Um, I owe everyone an apology because I lied yesterday. I did talk, and I should've gotten the paddle, but I lied and I am sorry."
"All Right. Now drop your shorts." I lowered my gym shorts below the knees. "Now, Bend Over." I grabbed my ankles and held on tightly. "All Right. Now the rest of you watch, because I will not accept being lied to."
I looked at my classmates, feeling ready to cry from embarrassment--and also from the fact that I had sworn to myself never to get paddled or whipped at school (oh boy, what I didn't know when I made that promise.)
I tightened my position as I heard the paddle start its quick trip to the seat of my underpants and couldn't help but to let go of my ankles and straighten up--grabbing at my suddenly sore butt after the first loud "WHACK!" Teeth clenched, I remember to this day thinking, "why didn't I take the stinger yesterday? This REALLY HURTS!" My classmates were laughing as I jumped up and down trying to soothe my butt, but Coach Charles grabbed my arm.
"Back into position!" Dreading what would come next, I bent back over--determined not to jump up again.
The whistle then WHACK!
"OW!" I slightly swivelled on my ankles. But this time, I didn't let go. I clenched my teeth so tightly that I could feel my braces scraping against each other, but I quickly returned my butt to position to receive the next lick--and it didn't have to wait long.