From A New Country 03: As it is a while since I wrote the last segment of the story, here is the last couple of paragraphs of part 3........
As Rob left the room, Ben was still gently clutching his buttocks, he hadnt bother to pull up his jeans.............. When the door had shut quietly after his father, Ben carefully pealed down his underpants hissing under his breath as he did so. His bum was hot to touch and very tender. He could feel the raised ridges where the switch had dug into his flesh. Opening the wardrobe door he looked at the reflection of his rear end in the mirror. He was glad his Dad was not his teacher. His Dad had a very good eye, as all the wealds were parallel to each other, very deep red in colour. The skin was not broken, so he was not bleeding. He wondered what the moisture was that he had felt trickling down the back of his legs and then thought that he had been sweating. Rubbing his bum again gently he drew up first his underpants and then his jeans. Going to the bathroom he washed his face in cold water and then made his way to the kitchen where a tasty smell told him that his father was cooking something good for supper. Now Part 4:
The following week at school Ben was having a shower after getting out of bed. " Hey, Ben, when were you caned man? Who did it?," asked Barry.
"My Dad, he was pissed at my attitude and a few other things."
"You get it at school, you get it at home, man this world sucks big time."
"Yeah, but it was my fault, it neednt have happened. I was being stroppy with Dad and didnt back off when I saw the warning signs. Anyway, thanks for the concern.
"As Ive said before, what are friends for."
"Now Id better get a move on or Familton will start on me and at the moment my bum is still a little tender. See you later," as he grabbed a towel and headed for his clothes.
"See you at breakfast Ben."
Ben made his way to Familtons study and got busy with his chores. Familton came in just as he had finished and said, "Nice job Ben. Im going to miss having you around when you go back home."
"The way things are going, Dad said, that we might be here longer than originally planned. So, you might have to put up with me a bit longer."
"Anyway, next term you wont have to help, if you are still here. In fact if there are any new boys you may have to be mentor to one of them."
"Gee whizz does that mean Ive got to tell some poor innocent lad how to avoid getting their bums whacked by your bloody shoe?"
"Watch your mouth or you will be getting my slipper wrapped around that cheeky backside of yours."
"No thanks, its still a bit tender."
"Hell, Ben, what have you done this time?"
"Dad decided I needed an attitude adjustment. Over the Easter break I didnt lock up the bike that a guy had lent me and it got stolen. Dad thought that I was a bit flippant and couldnt care less and then I instead of really showing him I was sorry I just riled him further so he whacked me."
"Fathers can be impossible at times Ben, but I think yours still loves you."
"Yeah, he does and I love him too....."
"My Dad has threatened me more than once, so I still watch my Ps and Qs around him when I know Ive done something that has put me on shaky ground."
"You, I cant imagine you getting whacked."
"Yes I still get whacked occasionally, not as much as when I was younger, but it still happens."
"Ill have to watch myself from now on then, well I have finished here so I am going for breakfast, ok?"
"See you later Ben."
Ben joined Barry for breakfast then went to his locker to get the books for the first period. He didnt tell Barry what Familton had told him. The week passed without further incident.
Several weekends later, Bens father said, "Ben, Ive got to go to the UK for a month in two weeks time. What we have got to decide is what to with you while Im away." Normally if it was only a weekend Rob would be away for, Ben stayed at school, but it was going to be the end of term in a couple of weeks and the school would be closed.
"Dad, if I ask at school, I might be able to stay with Barry or Bruce."
"I dont want you to impose on anyone, so be careful how you ask, do it soon and then get Mr White to phone me on the rig as soon as possible and I will talk to the parents concerned."
"Ok Dad."
At school the following Monday, Ben told Familton about his fathers trip.
"Look Ben I think that you could stay with me, my parents liked you the week you were there before and you got on well with them, so if you like I will ring and ask them."
"Would you, that would be great."
Later that day Familton told Ben that he could stay. Ben got Mr White the bursar, to phone his Dad on the rig. The next weekend at home Rob told Ben that he had spoken with Bruces parents and they were happy to have Ben for the two weeks.
"You have got to behave yourself Ben, Mr Familton has been given parental rites."
"Dad, you mean he can whack me."
"If he has got to, but I hope not Ben."
On Thursday of the following week Rob left for the UK and on Friday when school finished Ben loaded his gear into the Familton familys station wagon. They went first to Rob and Bens home where Ben quickly got his holiday clothes and then they were on their way to Hawera.
When they got to the farm at 4.30pm, Mrs Familton told the boys to bring their dirty washing and that dinner would be ready at 6pm. She went on, I suggest that you both go and help with the chores until then so go and get changed into some working clothes. Ben you can have the spare room or go in the spare bed in Bruces room, your choice."
"Ill room with Bruce if that is ok with you," he turned to Bruce. They went to Bruces room and quickly changed into jeans and loose shirts.
"You had better put a jersey on as it will be cold outside by the time we have finished," said Bruce. They went outside and helped Mr Familton finish milking, and then tidied and washed down the milking shed while Mr Familton took the cows back to the pasture they were to stay in overnight. When he got back to the shed he said, "The weather looks as though it is going to get rough, Bruce you and Ben can go and check that the lashings are tight on the cover over the silage stack, then make sure that the doors are latched shut on the big shed."
"Ok Dad. Come on Ben we will go on the quad." (A quad is a four wheeled motorcycle)
"Bruce take the tractor, you know that only one person is allowed on the quad at once."
"Ok Dad, I forgot."
The boys went to the shed and soon were on their way to a pasture on the other side of the farm to check the silage stack. On the way Bruce explained that two guys had been killed over the Christmas break, when they was riding a quad, and it flipped over. The coroners court had found that the quad had been overloaded so now regulations were in force saying that only the driver of the quad was to ride on the machines. They entered the shed and Bruce climbed up into the cab of a big John Deere tractor.
"Come on up," he called, "Theres room for two."
Ben climbed up and watched as Bruce turned the ignition on and started the tractor. "You will have to get down and open and shut gates after us, ok?"
"Ok."
"Lets go," and pushing in the clutch Bruce pushed the gear selector into three and gently let out the clutch.
"Why dont you start off in first gear, like a car?"
"No need unless you are moving a heavy load. A tractor is very low geared so if we are only riding on it, it is ok to start in third or fourth gear. When we are down the paddock, Ill let you have a go."
"Ok," said Ben as they came up to the first gate he got ready to climb down.
"Wait until I stop before you move Ben. If you slip, you could get caught on something or fall under the wheels, then there would be big problems."
They checked the stack and on the way back to the shed Bruce let Ben drive the tractor. When the got to the shed, they put the tractor away then locked up the shed, went and checked the other out buildings to make sure they were secured and then went into the house. Dinner was just about ready and after being out in the cool air both of them were hungry.
"Go and get washed up, it will be ready in 15 minutes," Mrs Familton said. The two boys went to the bathroom and just as they got there, Mr Familton came out.
"Bruce, I will see you in the office after dinner."
"Ok Dad."
They got washed up and went back to the kitchen. Mrs Familton was dishing it up. Boiled potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli, and a meat stew. Ben ate everything on his plate and accepted a second helping. Desert was home preserved peaches and ice cream. After dinner Mrs Familton told Ben to go into the lounge and watch TV, but he offered to help with the dishes. Bruce and his father had disappeared into the office that was in a small building behind the house.
Ben had finished helping with the dishes and both he and Mrs Familton were sitting watching TV when Mr Familton came into the lounge just in time to see the weather forcast for the following day.
"It looks as though you are going to have a rough week, the first week," he said. "You might even get some snow."
"Does it snow down here?"
"No not actually here, but Mt Egmont will be covered."
"Can we go skiing?"
"No it is too early in the season, the ski fields will still be too thinly covered for safe skiing."
Ben was starting to wonder where Bruce was, just then he came into the lounge and sat carefully on the couch near his mother.
"Ive had an early shower and Im pretty tired Mum so I wont stay up late. Ben you come to bed when you are ready. Goodnight Mum, Dad."
"Goodnight son."
Ben watched a comedy sitcom that he sometimes watched and then bid his hosts goodnight and went along the passage to the bedroom he was sharing with Bruce. He found Bruce laying face down on his bed under the blankets reading a paperback.
"Im going for a shower."
"OK"
Ben had his shower pondering why Bruce was so quiet. It was earlier than they usually went to bed at school and when he had stayed that week in January just before they went back for the summer term, they had stayed up late sometimes to 11pm watching TV or talking.
Back in the bedroom he finished drying his hair and looked at Bruce from the corner of his eyes as he got into bed.
"Everything ok?"
"No, but I dont want to talk about it at the moment, we will talk tomorrow."
"OK, goodnight then."
Ben turned over and went to sleep.
Next morning Ben woke at his usual time of 6.30 and just lay in bed for a few moments. It had grown cooler overnight and he lay there savouring the warmth of the bed before getting out. He glanced over to Bruces bed and saw Bruce watching him.
"How long have you been watching?"
"Just a couple of minutes, I must have woken a minute or so earlier than you. Ben, sorry about last night."
"Whats to be sorry about?"
"Well when you came to bed I was a bit _s_h_i_t_ty about something and I took it out on you."
"Well if you want to talk about it, I will listen."
"Maybe later when we are out doing the chores, ok?"
"Ok then. Im getting up and having a pee etc." Ben climbed out of bed and as the chilled air hit him, "Gee, its got cold." He pulled on his jeans and dashed to the door and leaving it slightly ajar went to the bathroom across the passage had a pee and washed his face before going back to the bedroom. As he got to the room Bruce was at the chest of drawers getting fresh underwear out. Ben saw his backside, which was covered in angry red and purple weals.
Ben went into the room and grabbed a clean shirt, put it on and then pulled his thick jersey on over the top. Guessing that Bruce was a bit embarrassed he said, "Its a lot colder here than at school or home."
Bruce rapidly dressing replied, "School is at roughly sea level or a little higher, the same at your home, here is higher and we are inland from the sea, so you feel the cold a bit more. Ill go and do the morning thing and then we can go to breakfast."
After breakfast Mr Familton gave them a list of chores to do, and Bruce led the way to the shed saying as they went "Lets get started, if we finish by lunch time the afternoon is ours to do what we like." Bruce explained that starting from tomorrow morning they would be expected to be up at 4.30am to help with the milking. They got started on their chores, the first of which was to tidy out the garage, and at morning tea time wandered back to the house for a snack and a cup of coffee. After morning tea they went back to the garage to wash the station wagon and a Toyota Corolla, Bruces mothers car and while they were doing so Bruce told Ben why he had a sore behind.
"At the beginning of term on the way to school Dad and I were talking and I got a bit cheeky and when told it was enough, couldnt keep my big yap shut. Dad didnt say anything at the time, but he certainly let me know last night that I got a bit too big for my britches, as he so eloquently put it."
"That is a similar thing to what I get told too. It must be a thing Dads are taught to say when they have sons."
"It was probably told to them by their Dads when they were growing up."
"Hey Bruce while we are talking about whacking, do you get a woody when we talk about them?"
"Yes, I do also after Ive had a bloody good hiding. I think that it is the heat of the sting, it seems to go straight to little Bruce, and he pops his head up to say hello."
"Me too. After the last hiding Dad gave me I must have wanked three times, before I went to sleep."
"I must admit that I had a wank in the shower last night after the whacking Dad gave me. What about at school?"
"Apart from that caning I got from Hefty, when he accused me of cheating, I generally have a wank after Ive been caned or whacked with that bloody shoe of yours," said with a wide grin. "As you say the heat seems to go straight to the old fella."
"Old fella?"
"Yeah, old fella, thats what my grand dad used to call it."
They had finished washing the vehicles by then so went into the house for lunch. After lunch Bruce borrowed his mothers Corolla to go into Hawera to look around the shops. They got home in time to help Mr Familton with the evening milking and then had dinner.
Next morning the two were up at 4.30am and helped with the milking and then ate a huge breakfast. Ben was surprised at how much he ate and he was wondering if he would get fat.
Seeing a look on Bens face, Mr Familton asked, "What are you worrying about Ben?"
"Im thinking that if I keep eating like this, Ill get fat."
"Not much chance of that, it is a combination of work and cold air. Most of what you just ate will get burnt up just about straight away replacing the energy you have used. Also there was very little fat, apart from the natural fats in the food, so as long as you work, youll need plenty of tucker." He went on to list the chores for that morning which was to clean out the implement shed and clean all the equipment.
After breakfast Bruce took Ben out to the implement shed where he gave him a crash course about each piece of machinery, what it would do.
Then he said, "Ok Ben weve got to clean all this stuff up. It will probably take us three days."
"That long."
"Yes it took me a week last time working by myself. Ill explain safety points on each implement as we go, so that you wont get hurt."
As they worked they talked about various things and Ben was thinking about yesterdays conversation when he asked, "Say Bruce what does your Dad whack you with?"
"Since Ive been going to St Swithins a cane, before that a strap. Why?"
"Oh I was just wondering, in the States I was paddled at school once and Dad has used a belt on me a few times, but at Easter he used a switch. It stung just about as much as the canes do at school. What was your first caning like?"
"Nothing like yours, but then I was only thirteen. I only got two and they were across summer shorts. They were enough for the tears to start squeezing out. I couldnt believe the burning pain.. But, since then Ive had a lot more, both at home and at school although for the last couple of years nothing at school, only Dad at home."
Ben was so busy listening to what Bruce was saying he wasnt really concentrating on what he was doing.
"_s_h_i_t_, Ive cut my hand on this blade."
Bruce came over, "Lets take a look, that looks nasty we had better go inside and let Mum take a look." They went inside.
"Mum, Ben has cut his hand while we were cleaning up the shed, can you have a look please."
"Sure thing, Ben, that looks deep go and wash it clean get all the oil off and then I can have a good look."
"Thanks Mrs Familton."
As they went to the bathroom to clean up Bruce said, "Mum used to be a nurse so she knows what she is doing. She spent quite a bit of time in the Casualty Department of the hospital.." Ben washed his hands properly and was dismayed to see the amount of blood that was pouring out. Bruce went to get his mother.
Mrs Familton came into the bathroom and looked at the cut. She said, "That is going to need stitches. Bruce take him into Dr Farley and I will ring them and tell them you are coming." As she was speaking she had put a dressing over the cut and then put sticking plaster over that. "Ben hold your hand up at chest height, and try not to bump it."
Bruce and Ben went out to the Corolla and shortly were on the way into Hawera. As they were going Bruce said, "I dont know Dr Farley, hes new. Our old family GP retired last year. Soon they arrived at the surgery and the receptionist was expecting them.
"Doctor will see you in just a moment. Have a seat."
A few moments later a blonde lady in a white smock came out from the back and said, "Ben Wishart"
Ben got up and looked at Bruce and beckoned him to follow. They went down a short passage and the blonde lady ushered them into an examination room.
"Hop up on the bed there Ben, and Ill take a look at that hand of yours." She deftly unwrapped the dressing from around Bens hand and looked at the cut. "If you are lucky you havent done too much damage. As far as I can see you havent damaged any tendons, so that means we will just have to sew it up. How did you do it?"
"I was helping clean some farm implements and all of a sudden I realized that I had cut myself."
"Ok I had better give you a tetanus shot then. So Ill just give you a local in the area where I have to sew you up, then we will do the tetanus shot."
"When will I see Dr Farley?"
"Im sorry Ben, I have got so used to everyone around here calling me Dr Todds replacement, I didnt introduce myself. Im Deborra Farley, and yes, before you ask I am a proper doctor."
Now Ben was embarrassed. "I am sorry, I thought you were a nurse or an assistant or...." as he stumbled and got redder in the face. Seeing Bruce grinning behind Dr Farley didnt help him either.
"Dont worry Ben." As she was speaking she had jabbed around the area of the cut with a short needle syringe. She was so gentle that Ben hardly felt what she was doing. Then she got a small curved needle with some black coloured thread, and pulling the cut skin together threaded the needle through the skin on each side of the cut similar to the way you sew cloth together. "There, you have five stitches, you will have to keep the hand quiet and let it heal." She put on a new dressing and then taped over that. "Ok now drop your jeans and bend over the bed."
"Do I have to have the shot in my behind?"
"Yes, its the best place. Do you want your friend to leave?"
"No its ok, hes seen it before," at her look he went on, "We are at school together and Im staying with the Familtons at the moment as my Dad is in the UK and its school holidays."
"Ok then lets get on with it."
Ben reluctantly got off the bed and turned around before undoing his jeans and pushing them down. He leaned over the bed.
"What about your underpants Doofus," said Bruce.
"Geeze Im having a hard enough time without you putting your two bits in."
"Ill bet youre having a hard time...."
"Ok boys, that will be enough. Ben just push the back of your pants down if you want to be modest, now this will sting a bit........there its all over. Now take care and Ill see you in a week to get the stitches out."
Ben hurriedly pulled up his jeans and made his way back to the reception area.
"How much do I owe?"
"Nothing, ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) picks up the tab, but you have a few forms to fill out."
"I dont think I can write with my hand all wrapped up like this."
"Bruce can fill them out for you and all you have to do is sign them."
Bruce filled in the forms and Ben signed as best he could and then they were free to go.
"Now home and we will have to face the inquisition from Dad."
"What will he do?, remembering his Dad said that Bruces Dad had parental rights.
"Oh he will probably skin you alive and then feed you to the dogs." Seeing Bens look of dismay, "Its more likely Ill be skinned, at least my backside will be as I should have been watching you more closely."
"I hope not, your bum has hardly got over the last lot yet."
"I hope not too."
"Gee this is my favorite wanking hand. Oh well Ill just have to make out the best I can I guess."
"As long as you dont ask me to help you, you can do what you like."
With that the both started laughing which lasted until they arrived home and lunch was ready. After they were seated and started eating, Ben having some difficulty trying to do things with his left hand instead of his right.
"Ben just tell me what you want and Ill do it for you," said Bruce.
Meanwhile Mr Familton who had said nothing apart from I hear you young blokes got into a bit of difficulty this morning, as they came into the kitchen. Now he said, "Tell me what happened."
Between them Bruce and Ben told him what had happened, what the doctor had said.
"Well Ben it looks as though you will have a bit of a holiday for a week at least. I might be able to find a few things to do that you can do one handed. Bruce you can carry on in the shed."
"Is it ok if I help Bruce. I wont bump my hand and Ill keep it clean."
Mr Familton thought for a moment, "Ok, but if there is any fooling around, Ill have the skin off both of your backsides."
"Dont worry about that Mr Familton, I have learnt to be very careful out there."
"Im glad to hear that Ben, sometimes you need a small lesson to wake up to the dangers in life. If you are lucky, you have had that lesson. Now I will say no more about it boys. Finish you lunch."
They finished their lunch and then Mrs Familton gave Ben a plastic bag to put over his hand and she showed him how to tie it loosely enough so that the bag would stay on, without the tie cutting off circulation. They went out to the shed.
The following week Ben had his stitches out and the week after that it was back to school.
Bruce got a new boy called Allan Robinson as his helper so Ben only visited now when he was to be disciplined or wanted to chat. Luckily the discipline part was never used as Ben had decided he wanted to become a Doctor and got stuck into his studies and stopped a lot of fooling around. Onetime though in the classroom he wasnt so lucky. It was during an English lesson and Mr Blackwell was droning on about subject and predicate when Ben felt a nudge from behind. He turned to see who had nudged him, but Barry who was there looked at him as though he had done nothing.. He turned back to the front. A minute later there was a sharper nudge. Again he turned, as he looked about again Mr Blackwell spoke.
"Face the front Wishart."
"Yes Sir."
A minute later another nudge. Ben ignored it. Another nudge followed a minute later and when it was ignored something hit him on the back of the head. Ben had had enough he spun around on his chair and grabbed Barry, "Stop playing about I am trying to learn." He hissed. He was back facing the front when Mr Blackwell turned from the blackboard. He was in time to see Barry make a strike at the back of Bens head.
"Young and Wishart out the front now." When they got out of their seats and went to front of the class, he said, Well Young what were you doing?"
"Nothing Sir."
"What about you Wishart?"
"Nothing Sir." The standard reply when you are in trouble thought Ben.
"Young, you were doing something. I saw you hitting at the back of Wisharts head, and a few minutes ago I saw Wishart turning to you. Now do you both still want to say that nothing was going on?"
"I was trying to attract Wisharts attention to ask him something," said Barry.
"So you both decided to fool about disrupting the whole class. I will not stand for any nonsense like that. You are both approaching your sixteenth birthdays, so you should have more sense. I will cane you both at the end of school. See me in my study at 4pm. Now back to your seats and no more nonsense from either of you or I will cane you here and now in front of the class."
Ben went back to his seat burning with anger and embarrassment.. What the heck was Barry playing at. At the end of the period Barry tried to talk to Ben as they left the room.
"Hey Ben, sorry about that....."
"Look Young, go and get stuffed. I told you I was trying to learn."
"Ben dont................."
"I dont want to know. At the moment Im too angry."
Ben went to his next period and then the last period of the day. There was football practice, so he went to the gym and told Mr Kerry that he had to see Mr Blackwell.
"What have you done this time Ben?"
"I did nothing Sir."
"I see, well you better cut along and see Mr Blackwell, and Ben here is some advice. Loose the attitude, listen to what is being said before you shoot yourself in the foot with temper. Ok?"
"Thank you Sir."
Ben left and headed towards Mr Blackwells study. He got there at 3.55 and Barry came along a moment later. He looked at Ben, but said nothing. A moment later Mr Blackwell came along from the teachers common room and told them to follow him into his study.
"Now boys the heat of the moment has gone. Do still both maintain that nothing was going on."
"Yes Sir," said Ben.
"Yes Sir, said Barry.
"Very well I am left with no option but to cane you both for disrupting the class. Young you are first. Go to the chair." When Barry was at the chair, "Take your jacket off and bend over." Mr Blackwell got a cane from the cupboard as Barry was getting ready. "I am going to give you four strokes Young."
He gave the four strokes quickly with hardly a pause between the strokes. As far as Ben could tell they were hard and all landed in a narrow band almost on top of each other.
"Get up Young." Barry stood up, his face red and his eyes glistening, but there were no tears. "Go to the chair Wishart."
Ben went to the chair taking his jacket off as he went. He bent over the chair without waiting to be told. He felt the cane tap across his buttocks. There was a slight swish and crack as the cane landed. A ten second pause then a slightly harder cut landed.
"Get up Wishart."
Ben was surprised. He had hardly felt the two strokes, nothing like his previous canings.
"I have punished you both. Let that be an end to whatever the problem is between you. Now go and do your prep."
"Thank you Sir," they said together and both turned to the door at the same time.
Going along the passage towards the class room where prep was going to be held, Barry said, "Whats going on. Since the beginning of term you have hardly spoken to me."
"Oh _s_h_i_t_. Im sorry Barry, look during the holidays at Bruces place I had an accident and cut my hand badly. It had to have five stitches to close the cut. I was talking to the doctor there in Hawera and so I have decided to be a doctor. In my science subjects Im doing really well, but I need to spend a bit of effort in English to get my grade up."
"Ok, but dont forget your friends."
"I have been thinking about all the silly stuff Ive done before and wished that I hadnt done it. However as Bruces Dad said Keep the lessons that you have learned, put the rest behind you and go forward with a fresh start. So I guess that Ive been a little preoccupied."
"Yeah, now Ive got four of Heftys best across my bum, while as far as I could tell you got away with a couple of flicks."
"I didnt believe it either when he told me to stand up. I thought there was a lecture coming and then Id get told to bend over again. But I think that maybe he has seen that Ive been working hard since the beginning of this term and stopped playing about, so he decided that it was time that you stopped fooling and got on with the serious business of school instead of annoying us hard working students."
"You are so full of....."
"Why are you two out here in the corridor instead of in prep where I told you to go," their conversation was interrupted by Mr Blackwell who had come along the passage behind them and heard the last part of the conversation. "Well?"
"We were discussing why Young got four scorchers while I got away with a couple of strokes, Sir."
"Yes, I heard the last part of your explanation to Young, Wishart. You are partly right. Now are you two friends again?"
"Yes Sir," they said.
"Good, get into prep before you miss out altogether, or you will have problems tomorrow."
"Thank you Sir."
And they went to prep.
At the end of term Ben went back home to America where he went on to college then Med school. He finished up specializing in childrens psychology and every time he was able he went back to New Zealand to visit Bruce and Barry and other friends that he had made in his time at school in Taranaki. He even visited the school and Mr Blackwell on a couple of occasions.
This is the end of this particular series. Thank you for all the encouraging words that you have written and if you liked this part, well I'd like to hear from you. A new story is in the rough stages of development, which means it is still just a few ideas kicking around inside my brain. Thanks again Ted B