I had to stand there under Mr Ricks's somewhat amused gaze and Dad's blatantly gleeful one as the Ricks boys rushed into their father's den in answer to his call. They must have been listening outside in the hall, because they were both smiling maliciously at me, half guessing what was coming.
"Sit down, boys," Mr Ricks directed his sons, "Mr Carter and Ray have something to ask you."
Sandy and Bud perched on the couch with their father between them. Dad walked behind me and clapped a hand on my shoulder, then addressed the Ricks brats.
"Guys, I'm really sorry for what Ray did to you. He's going to apologize - boy, is he going to apologize! - but I want to make it up to you first. So..." he paused dramatically, and Sandy and Bud, even Mr Ricks, leaned forward slightly in anticipation.
Dad looked significantly at me, then back to his audience. "How would you guys like to help me plan a good punishment for my naughty son here?"
Sandy's and Bud's eyes and mouth gaped wide with joyful surprise. "Can we, Dad?" they implored their father.
Mr Ricks answered, "Sure, boys, if that's what Mr Carter wants. And if that's what he thinks Ray deserves." He looked disapprovingly at me while his eager sons smiled.
Dad chuckled. "I thought you might. And it's only appropriate, since you're the ones who were hurt by his behaviour."
Sandy burst out, "Are you going to give Ray a good whipping, Mr Carter?"
"You bet I am, Sandy. I'm going to give Ray the worst whipping he's ever had. I want it to be the most embarrassing one he's ever had, too, so you know what - I'm going to let you watch him get it!"
"Dad!" I protested, but he ignored me as Sandy and Bud broke into laughter.
"Calm down, boys," their father admonished with a laugh.
Bud piped up, "You'll really let us see Ray get his whipping, Mr Carter?"
"That's what I said, fellas. I want your dad to come over and watch, too."
The brats yelled at once, "Can we, Dad, can we please?"
Mr Ricks laughed. "Okay, boys, we'll go. I think it will do you good to see what happens to boys who misbehave."
"Yay!" they cheered, and Dad chuckled at their delight. "Thanks, guys, for helping me. So, what do you want me to whip Ray with?"
Sandy and Bud looked at one another, then Sandy asked hopefully, "Do you use a belt on him, Mr Carter?"
"Yeah, a belt!" Bud echoed.
Dad laughed. "I have, and I will, if that's what you guys want. I've got a really good one, too, don't I, son?"
This was directed to me, of course, but I felt too humiliated to say anything.
Dad asked again, with fury in his voice, "I said, don't I, Ray?"
"Yes, sir!" I stammered out.
Dad again turned toward the couch where the Ricks's were, his lively manner regained. "It's long and wide and extra thick, boys, with these cute little metal studs - you can imagine what they feel like. Actually, you won't have to imagine it, because Ray's going to let you know exactly how they feel!"
The brats and their father smirked at the prospect.
"I bought it just to use on Ray when he acts up. And he doesn't like it one bit. Do you, son?"
I knew I better answer promptly this time. "No, sir."
Bud worked up the courage to ask, "Do you make Ray pull his pants down, Mr Carter?"
"You bet I do, Bud."
"And his underpants?" Sandy looked eagerly at me.
"Underpants, too, Sandy."
Sandy squirmed with delight. "You mean you whip Ray on his bare butt?"
Mr Ricks reprimanded him, but not even half seriously, "Now, Sandy, you know I don't like you boys to say..."
Dad interrupted, "Why not, Porter, it's the truth." He faced me. "Ray always gets it on his bare butt!"
Mr Ricks said "Well..." hesitantly, but quickly gave in to the mirth of his sons.
I knew my face must be bright red with embarrassment.
But Dad wasn't nearly through humiliating me. He moved closer to the couch, as if to whisper conspiratorially to the boys, but talked loud enough so that I would hear every word.
"In fact, boys, sometimes I make Ray take all his clothes off for his whippings."
"Wow! Really?" the brats asked, casting smug glances my way, "All his clothes?"
"Yep. Everything. He has to be completely naked. Naked as a little jaybird!"
This produced a round of laughter, then Dad went on, "So is that what you want Ray to do? Take all his clothes off, not just pull down his pants? Remember, you'll be watching, and I want you to help me make this as embarrassing as possible. You'll not only get to see Ray's bare butt, you'll see his bare everything!"
Sandy and Bud practically bounced with excitement. "Yes, yes, let's do that!"
"Good! Now what else do we have to decide? How many licks do you want me to give Ray with the belt?"
The brats considered a while, then Sandy suggested, "Well, Mr Carter, Ray has been a really bad boy..."
"He sure has, fellas. Tell you what. I'll just whip his butt until you think it's red enough, how does that sound?"
Naturally, they approved.
Dad stood up. "Well, I think that takes care of about everything, guys. I want you and your dad to come over to our house Friday night after supper. That's when the fireworks will start."
Mr Ricks said, "We'll be there right on time, won't we, boys?" The brats nodded vigorously.
Dad continued. "We'll have the house all to ourselves, since my wife is taking Karen and Wayne to the movies. Hmm. I usually give Ray his whippings up in his bedroom. Especially when I make him completely undress, like he's going to do Friday night. But since you guys are going to be there watch, it's gonna be too crowded. I think we'll take care of this little matter downstairs in the living room. That'll be much more convenient for you guys."
"In the living room!" I gasped.
"Right down in the living room. And guys, I promise Ray will cooperate. If he won't, we can always do this one night when his mother and sister and little brother are home. I'm sure they wouldn't object to seeing Ray take off his clothes and get his butt blistered. Especially Wayne..."
"No, Dad, no!"
"All right, then. So Friday night it is, fellas?"
Mr Ricks and his two brats answered "Right!"
"Good. Now, Ray, let's see what we have here." Dad began moving toward me. "First, you're gonna take your clothes off - while all of us watch. That's right, son - you'll be completely naked, right there in the middle of the living room. Sandy and Bud will get to see everything you've got to show. Your bare butt," and here he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Even your little _c_o_c_k_ and balls!"
Sandy and Bud laughed, knowing exactly what he said.
"Then I pick up my very best belt - and you know the one I mean, son - and pretty soon we'll have one bright red little butt! And it'll be yours, Ray. How does that sound, son?"
I moaned.
"So keep that in mind, son. You've got a lot of time to think about it between now and Friday night. Now, I want you to extend a nice invitation to Sandy and Bud. Come on."
"Sandy and Bud, I'd like it very much..."
Dad prompted, "If you'd come over to our house Friday night...."
I repeated what he directed.
"Tell them what you're gonna do, Ray."
"...to come watch me take off all my clothes..."
"That's right, son. And?"
"And..." I couldn't go on.
"And see me get my butt blistered," Dad ordered.
"Ohhh...and see me get my butt bliistered."
"Attaboy! So what do you say, guys?"
Sandy jumped up and shook my lifeless hand. "Ray, we'll be happy to accept your kind invitation." Bud followed his example.
Mr Ricks stepped forward. "I'm allowing this, Ray, only because I think it's for your own good."
"That's right, Porter. Now, Ray, thank these boys for being nice enough to help me punish you."
I stammered out my thanks.
"We're all set, then. Let's call this Ray's little punishment party, okay, guys? I promise you'll enjoy it - and I promise Ray won't even though he's the guest of honor!"
At last the ordeal was over, and Dad and I began walking out the door. Then he called back, "And be sure to bring a camera! I want some pictures of this!"
I had a sick feeling in my stomach as I began thinking about Friday night.