Authors note: read Suspended submitted anonyomusly 1/4/99 first. However, here is a brief recap:
When we left off, our hero, 12yo David was standing in the corner of the dining room, pants and underpants around his knees, a bar of soap still in his mouth. The family was sitting down for dinner. David had been suspended from school for two days, a sentence which would be carried out the following Wednesday and Thursday (it was then Thursday night). The suspension had shocked his formerly easygoing Dad into a major reevaluation of his parenting style. We Pick up with Dad talking to younger brother Tommy at the dinner table:
"Tommy, the reason Dave is in the corner is because he got into a fight and was suspended from school. I have decided that Davids' attitude needs to be changed in a big way"
"But Dad, you have spanked us before, but why is he in the corner?"
"What I gave him earlier are mere love taps, I haven't really spanked David yet. That I will do after dinner. I want him to think about it for a while. I also don't want you to fall into any of your big brothers bad habits. Therefore I want you to see what might happen to you. I have been too easy on you boys and its not doing you any good. While this might not seem fair now, in the long run, not doing this wouldn't be fair to you"
David mother enters the room and sits down at the table
"Thats right, while David was up in his room this afternoon, I logged on to this ParentNow (real by the way) websight that Judy, you know Billy's Mom, had been telling me about. You know Jack how well behaved both Billy and Jeff are, they always say please and thank you and even call me Mam when I'm over there"
"That's a lot more than I can say about our two, Mary"
"Jack you should look at it, its all about how parents are neglecting their Christian duty by letting kids get away with things. Did you know that that the Bible says that only a father who hates his son will not spank him when the kid misbehaves?"
"I'll take a look at it this evening, after I deal with David"
"And did you know that the Bible actually says you should use a "rod" to correct your children? I guess it means a paddle or something like that"
Tommy shifted uncomfortably in his seat, while his butt was not in any immediate danger, he did not like the direction the conversation was going. He remembered going over to billys house and hearing Billy's older brother screaming bloody murder and then seeing Billys Dad come out of Jeff's room holding this big paddle with holes in it. He found it really hard to belive at the time since he always thought of Billy and Jeff, to be nice guys but goodytwoshoes to the point of wimpiness.
David could not belive his ears, he couldn't say anything with the nasty bar of ivory in his mouth, and felt it would be better not to say anything anyways given the circumstances. But he started to tremble with fear, since he had seen the effects of what Jeff's Dad could do in the showers at Gym class with Jeff. Now here was his Dad thinking of taking up their parenting style. He wept knowing his life would never be the same again. the tears were of anger that could not be expressed, shame and embarrasement that he had brought this upon himself, and just plain fear.
"Well I know with my new job, I have been neglecting the boys for the last year or so. I used to be able to spend a lot more time with them, both paying attention to when they mess up but also doing stuff with them. Remember how Dave used to like to help me in the woodshop?"
"Jack, you haven't used any of your woodworking stuff in almost two years, I was almost ready to bring it to the Salvation Army. Why do you bring that up?"
Well, when you mentioned a paddle it got me thinking. I think your right, we need a paddle. I think I'll have Dave help me make one this weekend. It will give him a chance to learn how to use all my power tools, and a chance to think very seriously about his behavior. It will also teach him to do a good job on his projects. He will want to do a good job because I think I will have him hang it up very promentently in his room."
"Dad, what do you mean all your power tools?"
"Well Tommy, first he has to use the circular saw to cut a good piece of maple. Then the Jig saw to shape it. Then the belt sander to smooth out the edges. Then I think I will have him Drill 12 big 5/8" holes in it, one for each year, and then we can add a smaller 3/8 hole in it for each time the paddle has to be used. On the back he can write the date of each spanking next to the hole. Then He can varnish it and make it look really good. I think that covers quite a feww of my tools"
"Gee Dad, I don't think I would like to have to look at something like that every day."
"Well you don't for now, and I hope you never do, however the first time you really mess up, you can borrow Davids paddle, and the next weekend you will help me make your own. Just keep that in mind and behave yourself young man... now would you please clear the table...David, take that soap out your mouth and come over here, its time for you and me to talk about how you are going to spend the next week"
To be continued ?