The Charles Smith Academy

by Carole Archer

  Jenny reached the end of the street and turned the corner, heading in the direction of her new home. A few of her college friends lived in the house, including her new boyfriend Paul. To say she’d been pushed into the relationship was an understatement and the thought of being under the same roof as him filled her with dread.

  Her mind was in turmoil as she walked and practically every step of the way she considered turning back. She walked for over half an hour and when she finally arrived and knocked on the door, it was opened quickly.

  “Jenny, what’s the rush? I thought I was coming to get you later.”

  Jenny looked up and her tears started afresh. “I’m sorry Paul. I had to get out before Charles talked me into staying.”

  Paul put his arm protectively around her shoulder and picked up her bags before leading her inside.

  “Come on Jenny, let’s get you settled in. Maybe if you’re worried about sleeping alone tonight I can keep you company.” He smiled seductively at her and Jenny felt sick.

  Jenny cried harder and wondered what the hell she was doing. She’d had everything she’d ever dreamed of with Charles and Hazel, but she sadly acknowledged that if she wanted to fit in at college she’d have to conform to their way of doing things. If having a boyfriend and a place of her own was the way to go, she was going to have to at least give it a try. Surely it couldn’t be that bad.

  Back at Charles’ house, Hazel had just got out of bed and was calling Jenny’s name. Charles made his way up the stairs, wiping away his tears. He put his arm around Hazel, guiding her back into her bedroom. He sat down with her and pulled her onto his lap where he hugged her tight against his chest as she sobbed uncontrollably.

  When Hazel was calm she looked at Charles. “She’s gone, hasn’t she?”

  Charles nodded.

  “She was so attentive last night, she showed me so much love, but she kept crying. She wouldn’t talk to me and I knew I’d lost her. I think she has a boyfriend. I smelled men’s aftershave on her a few days ago but I tried to block it out of my mind. I thought maybe I’d imagined it.” Hazel broke down in tears as Charles stroked her hair gently.

  “Why did she do this to us? Why is she such a selfish cow?” Hazel sobbed.

  “Hazel, calm down, getting upset won’t help.”

  Hazel stood up and started to scream and shout, then began to snatch books from her shelves and throw them on the floor.

  “I hate her, she can go to hell. I never want to see her again. I wish you’d never brought her into our home. We were happy before she came here.”

  Charles tried to hug Hazel but she pushed him away and continued with her rant. Charles was shocked by her language and took a firm grip on her wrist, guiding her towards her bed where he sat down and pulled her towards him. She struggled until she realised that he was trying to pull her onto his knee and not over it. Eventually she gave up her struggles and sat down, allowing him to hold her as she sobbed.

  “I love her Sir.”

  “I know you do Hazel. I love her too. I’m sure she’ll come back eventually.”

  “I don’t want her to Sir. I don’t care. I hate her now.” Hazel’s voice was filled with venom.

  “Hazel, you just said you love her.”

  Hazel again started to shout and swear. Charles gripped her wrist firmly and shook her. “Hazel, calm down otherwise I will spank you. I don’t want to when we’re both so upset, but I will if you continue with this bad language. You’re on your final warning young lady.”

  Hazel looked at Charles and immediately calmed down. “I’m sorry Sir. It isn’t your fault she’s gone. I’m sorry I’m behaving so badly.”

  Hazel felt absolutely distraught and longed to hold Jenny, tell her she loved her and persuade her to come home, but she knew that wasn’t going to happen. She was desperate to feel Charles’ love, to feel cherished and cared for and she slowly stood up, looking at him with tear-filled eyes.

  As she unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them down to her knees, her tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry Sir. Please spank me for being so naughty.”

  Pushing her panties down to her knees, she lowered herself across Charles’ lap.

  Charles stroked her back gently. “Hazel, this isn’t necessary. Please get up.”

  Hazel remained still as her tears dripped onto the carpet. She felt desperately unhappy.

  “Hazel, I don’t want to punish you. I want to comfort you.”

  Hazel suddenly felt totally unloved. Jenny had left her and now Charles refused to spank her. “I was right to be jealous. You love Jenny more than you love me. In fact it’s pretty obvious you don’t care about me at all. That’s why you never spanked me before Jenny arrived, because you simply didn’t love me. I was right to be jealous of her.”

  Hazel started to push herself up and howled as Charles’ hand landed hard on her bottom as he pulled her back into position across his lap. “How could you say those things Hazel? How could you be so hurtful?” Hazel felt a pang of guilt. She wanted to apologise to Charles but lay perfectly still, not wanting to get up until she was crying from the pain of a spanking given with love.

  Charles took a firm grip on her waist and raised his arm in the air. “Hazel, I love you and if spanking you is the only way I can show you that, I guess it’s what I need to do right now.”

  He brought his hand down hard on her bottom and proceeded to firmly spank her as she sobbed and squirmed across his lap. Hazel cried as she felt his love come through in each crack of his hand against her bare bottom. She squirmed across his lap as she reached back to cling desperately to the hand that was holding her in position. She sobbed as she tried to convey her love to him by squeezing his hand as tightly as she could.

  Charles didn’t spank her for very long and when he helped her to her feet and stood her in front of him she was horrified to see tears rolling down his cheeks.

  Throwing herself into his arms she sobbed openly. “I’m so sorry Sir.” She clung tightly to him as her whole body trembled. “I didn’t mean it Sir. I truly didn’t mean the things I said. I wanted you to spank me and make me feel loved.”

  Charles rocked her in his arms as he kissed her gently on the top of her head. “Shush, don’t worry Hazel. I know you didn’t mean it. I miss Jenny too and I promise we’re going to get her back.”

  After a few minutes of sobbing, Hazel raised her head and looked at Charles. “Sir, do you promise Jenny will come home?”

  Charles looked at her for a moment before nodding slowly. “Yes Hazel, I promise.”

  Hazel didn’t believe his promise for one minute, but she needed to hear the words. She felt like her whole world had fallen apart as she imagined Jenny having the time of her life with her new boyfriend. It didn’t even enter her mind that Jenny was currently just as miserable as she was.

  Chapter Five

  HAZEL was busy in the kitchen, scrubbing all the work surfaces and appliances as hard as she could, trying to rid herself of the frustration she’d felt since Jenny had left. She wiped away a tear as she tried to fathom why they’d heard nothing from her for over two weeks.

  Hazel was startled when Charles put his arms around her. She’d been deep in thought and hadn’t heard him come in. “Come and sit down Hazel. You need a break.”

  Hazel shook her head. “No Sir. I need to keep busy, keep my mind off her.”

  Charles took her hand and led her into the living room. He sat down, pulled her onto his knee and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Hazel had tried hard to hide her utter despair from Charles. He was missing Jenny too and it seemed unfair to burden him with her grief, but once she started to cry she couldn’t stop.

  Hazel sobbed as she told Charles how much she missed Jenny. He repeatedly told her he loved her and he knew Jenny did too and she would come back when she was ready.

  Hazel dried her eyes and looked at Charles. He looked so tired. She guessed he wasn’t sleeping well, worrying about Jenny.

/>   “Are you OK if I go out for a couple of hours Hazel? I have a few things to do in town. I promise I won’t be too long.”

  Hazel nodded.

  “Why don’t you put the TV on and see if there’s anything worth watching. The house has been scrubbed to within an inch of its life and Mr Bainbridge won’t be here today. Take the day off and try to relax.”

  Charles got up, prised the cleaning cloth out of Hazel’s hand, turned on the TV and kissed her goodbye. She scowled, but was grateful for his concern. As soon as the door closed behind him though, Hazel turned the TV off and headed into his office. She went into his desk and took his address book out, finding a phone number for Judge Walker. Charles would probably be cross, but she didn’t care.

  Hazel phoned the court house where Judge Walker was fortunately in his office and able to speak to her. “Judge Walker, its Hazel. I’m sorry to bother you. Charles doesn’t know I’m calling. He’d probably be really angry with me. Please don’t tell him,” she tearfully blurted out.

  “Hazel, what on earth’s the matter? Calm down. I won’t tell Charles you called. I promise.”

  Hazel took a deep breath. “We haven’t seen Jenny since she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.” Hazel’s voice cracked with emotion. “We’re so worried about her. We don’t even know where she’s gone,” Hazel sobbed as the judge pleaded with her to calm down and stop crying.

  “Please tell me where she lives. I need to talk to her, for Charles’ sake more than my own. He isn’t sleeping properly. He doesn’t look well. He’s missing her so much and can’t understand what he’s done wrong, why she never visits. Did he tell you the cottage he had built in the garden was a Christmas present for me and Jenny? He only told me the day after Jenny had gone.”

  There was a long silence. “Judge Walker, are you there?”

  “Sorry Hazel, I had absolutely no idea. I would never have found Jenny somewhere to live if I’d known. I honestly thought I was helping and that Charles would be pleased to have a bit less responsibility. I guess he’s not happy with me, which would explain why he’s turned down numerous invitations to meet me recently.”

  Judge Walker sighed. Hazel felt bad for making him feel guilty. “I’m sorry. It isn’t your fault. You didn’t know. None of us did. Charles is good at keeping a secret, but he’s absolutely heartbroken now and he doesn’t deserve this.”

  “OK,” Judge Walker sighed. “I’ll give you Jenny’s address. It’s the least I can do. I will certainly be having words with her about this and she will not be sitting comfortably afterwards.”

  Hazel grabbed a pen and scribbled the address down on a scrap of paper as the judge read it out to her. “Hazel, go there now and talk to Jenny. I know she isn’t at college today and she’s not due in work until later this afternoon. You need to tell her about the cottage. I’m sure she’ll come back.”

  “I’m not sure I want her back. I can’t believe the way she’s treated Charles. She hasn’t visited him once. I’m doing this for his sake, not mine.”

  “Believe me, that young lady is going to have a very sore bottom when I see her later. She’s been lying to me, telling me she visits you and Charles every evening. She’s going to get a very painful reminder of what happens to liars.”

  Hazel squirmed, knowing only too well what happened to her when she told lies. She did not envy Jenny at all, but she deserved it. “Thank you Judge Walker. I really appreciate this.”

  “That’s OK Hazel, but I’m sure Charles wouldn’t be angry with you for calling me. I think he’d be happy that you care so much about him.”

  Hazel nodded. “Maybe, but I went through his private things to find your number. I don’t think he’d be happy about that.”

  “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind, under the circumstances, but I promised I wouldn’t tell him and I won’t. Good luck Hazel. Take care of yourself and Charles.”

  Hazel thanked the judge again, said goodbye and put the phone down, putting her coat on and gathering her things together, slipping the address into her pocket. She had to go immediately or she’d find reasons not to and she needed to go before Charles returned home.

  As she closed the door and headed down the path, tears clouded Hazel’s vision. She considered turning back and putting on the TV as Charles had suggested, but then she thought about how kind Charles had been and how hurt he was that Jenny had stayed away. Her own feelings about Jenny were too confused and she pushed them to the back of her mind as she walked slowly through the streets. She considered getting a taxi but thought the fresh air might clear her head, help her prepare what she was going to say to Jenny.

  Eventually Hazel arrived at the house. She checked the address before walking up to the door and knocking sharply. She had absolutely no idea what she was going to say. She felt sick. Jenny opened the door and looked shocked to see Hazel. Her eyes were red as if she’d been crying and Hazel momentarily felt sorry for her. She had a strong desire to hug her and tell her how much she missed her. Remembering the hurt Jenny had caused to herself and Charles, Hazel instead raised her hand and slapped Jenny hard across the face before barging past her into the house.

  “You selfish little cow,” Hazel shouted, turning to face Jenny and watching fresh tears streaking her face as she rubbed her reddened cheek.

  “Please Hazel, let me explain,” wailed Jenny.

  “What is there to explain? You left me and didn’t even say goodbye. The way you’ve treated Charles is unforgiveable. He’s given you everything, and you’ve thrown it back in his face. I wish I’d never set eyes on you.” Hazel was shaking with anger as she glared at Jenny. Her ex-girlfriend’s crying was starting to irritate her.

  “I’m sorry Hazel. I didn’t want to leave.”

  “So why the hell did you?”

  “I didn’t have a choice.”

  “You always have choices. Charles made the worst choice of his life when he decided to spare you jail. You’d be rotting in your cell if it had been up to me. I really hope you’re proud of yourself. Charles is the kindest man I know and you’ve hurt him deeply. I hate you.”

  Jenny covered her face as she cried. Hazel shook her head as she approached her. “For God’s sake, stop crying. You caused all this to happen. It’s your fault. You can’t blame anyone else.” Hazel was so angry she grabbed Jenny by the wrist and dragged her towards the sofa, sitting down and pulling Jenny across her lap. “I’ll give you a reason to cry, you selfish little bitch,” yelled Hazel as she yanked up the hem of Jenny’s short nightdress.

  She paused as she admired Jenny’s bare bottom and remembered happier times they’d had. Angry with herself for being momentarily deterred from her task, she raised her hand and cracked it down as hard as she could. Jenny howled and Hazel smacked her again. She continued to slap her bottom cheeks sharply as Jenny tried to wriggle free. Hazel smiled as she watched her buttocks reddening rapidly.

  Hazel’s hand was stinging and she wondered if Jenny’s bottom was hurting very much. She paused for a moment before reaching into her handbag.

  “I almost forgot, you left something at home and I thought you might need it,” said Hazel, smirking as she produced Jenny’s hairbrush. Hazel cracked it down hard on Jenny’s bottom and smiled as she howled in pain.

  “Charles always managed to make you see sense by applying this to your bottom. I’m going to see if I can do the same,” Hazel announced, as she continued to pummel Jenny’s bottom with the hard wooden back of the hairbrush.

  Jenny was crying hard and desperately trying to break free as Hazel held her firmly and watched her bottom darkening in colour as she continued to paddle her. Her vision became blurred and Hazel realised she was crying too.

  Hazel was angry with Jenny for making her cry. She brought the brush down with all her might, watching in amazement as it snapped in half. Hazel pushed Jenny off her lap, watching her howl in pain as she landed on her bottom. Jenny immediately reached back and rubbed her burning buttocks. Hazel doubted Jenny’s rubb
ing brought much relief as she herself frequently rubbed her own sore bottom but it never did her any good.

  Jenny sat on the floor staring at Hazel, tears rolling down her cheeks. Hazel guessed Jenny was trying to comprehend what had just happened. She was actually a little shocked herself at what she’d just done.

  “Please Hazel. I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you or Charles. I miss you both so much. My friends would have disowned me if they knew I was gay. I had to appear normal or I’d never fit in.” Jenny’s tears continued to roll down her cheeks as she tried to explain. She rubbed her bottom constantly.

  Hazel looked down at the broken brush in her hand and felt a pang of guilt, but ignored it as she thought of how much pain Jenny had caused to herself and Charles. That spanking was no more than she deserved.

  “Do you have a boyfriend?” Hazel spat out the words.

  Jenny nodded and Hazel’s eyes filled with tears as she got up to leave. She didn’t trust herself to stay any longer. She needed to go home and cry in the comfort of Charles’ arms. He would understand and he would make her feel better.

  “Please don’t go Hazel. I love you.”

  “Do you tell your boyfriend you love him too?” Hazel glared at Jenny, still laid on the floor massaging her bottom. She felt nothing but contempt for her.

  “I’ve never told him I love him because I don’t. I swear to you I haven’t slept with him. I can’t. It’s you I want.”

  “I don’t believe you Jenny. Goodbye. I hope you’ll be very happy.” Hazel headed towards the door.

  “Please wait, she’s telling the truth.”

  Hazel turned to see a young man with dark curly hair standing in the living room doorway. “I’m Paul, Jenny’s boyfriend - though I guess that’s now ex-boyfriend. I knew something was wrong. I thought she was a virgin and nervous about having sex, but she was so cold towards me even when I just tried to kiss her. I never imagined she was a lesbian, but it makes sense now.”