by Susan Thomas
"Have you learnt your lesson? Been spanked enough do you think?"
"Yes uncle."
"Up you get then."
Erin stood and let her breath out with a whoosh. She craned her neck round to look at her bottom, which was very red all over. She turned back to find her uncle about to wipe away some tears from her face. She hadn't realized she had been crying. He put his arms around her and they stood in a silent cuddle for a few moments.
"Whew, it wasn't as bad as that paddle but it still stings and I am sore."
"That was the general idea. Now into that corner with you and I'll let your auntie in to see the results. You can think about what you wish to say when your time is up."
The first thought that went through Erin's head was how being spanked on her bare bottom by her uncle's hand was far more intimate and embarrassing than being spanked with the paddle. It made no sense but that's how it was. The second that was she had to get a grip on herself otherwise she'd have more sore bottoms. Josh was coping with everything well and he was as much in love with her she knew, as she with him. Get a grip time. The third thought was she had apologies to make.
He auntie came in. "My, that looks good and sore. Pull them up Erin, time to come out."
Erin pulled up her clothes, slipped on her sandals and turned round. "I'm really, really sorry for the way I have been going on. I will change I promise."
In the reconciliation that followed Erin had a favour to ask. "I know I have things here I can do but please may I go and help Josh this afternoon?"
Her uncle and aunt agreed and saved their amusement until she had gone. Erin hurried to Unity's house and spied Josh labouring out in her vegetable plot while his aunt supervised. Unity spotted Erin and went to meet her. She looked at her for a moment, put her fingers under her chin and lifted it then pronounced, "Spanked within the hour at most. Now why? Ah yes, dolly-daydreaming because of Joshua I'll be bound. College work suffering I expect. Chores not done. I am right aren't I?"
Erin went red and agreed.
"Listen to me girl and listen hard. As men go he is a very good sort and has the makings of a good husband." Erin blushed. "But he is only a man and all men have feet of clay. Never forget that girl, feet of clay. Now off you go and help him. I'll make drinks but any shenanigans in my yard and I'll take a hairbrush to your bottom. Is that clear?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Oh for pity's sake girl my name is Unity, use it."
"Yes Unity."
As Erin rushed off to be greeted by the warm smile and arms of Josh, Unity smiled a long slow smile of sheer pleasure.
Chapter 9
It was Erin's turn to get Saturday afternoon off and before going out with Josh that evening she was taking the opportunity to catch up with college work in her room. Suddenly the door opened and an incredulous looking Carol was there.
"Erin, Ruth Whittle is downstairs asking to speak with her sister."
"Which sister does she mean?"
"You!"
"Me! What on earth... I'll come down."
Erin walked carefully to the door and asked Ruth to come on in. She understood her normally hospitable aunt having kept her there but she hardly felt under threat from Ruth. "Hi Ruth come on in. Would you like some tea or something?"
Ruth declined politely and walked warily into Erin's room and looked around. "Where does Joshua sleep then?"
Erin went very red, not with embarrassment but anger, at the implications of what Ruth had said. She mentally counted to ten then replied with great control. "Josh does not live in this house and in any event Uncle Jack certainly would not allow him to sleep in my bedroom." Then with great emphasis, "Nor would I Ruth, and Josh would never agree to it either."
Ruth looked unabashed. "Well where is he then?"
"I didn't realise that your family didn't know. I will ask Josh to let you know but I don't feel able to give you that information myself."
"Sister, my father is distraught at the turn of events..."
"Why do you call me sister?"
"In God's eyes you are married to Joshua and you are therefore my sister in law." Erin suppressed a strong desire to hit Ruth realising the assumption was that she and Joshua were having a sexual relationship. "My father feels that it is your ungodly refusal to accept righteous punishment that has precipitated this breach. He makes allowance in that your background is not solid in the church but he thinks that you have the promise of becoming a good Christian wife. He believes that in order for Joshua to be reconciled to his family you must take the lead. Return with me and accept the righteous spanking you were due for your intemperate criticism of a Godly father and a man of the cloth, and we can all be reconciled. I promise you that my father is a just man and I have taken many chastisements from him, all of which were needful, and been the better for it. He will not be severe, it is only a hand spanking reflecting his understanding of your lack of background. Had I burst out like that I would have been strapped of course. Please sister I urge you to take your spanking and bring Joshua back to us."
Erin reeled at this extraordinary speech. There were so many breathtaking comments in she didn't know how to respond without losing the politeness that her parents, uncle and aunt valued so much. In the end in a strangled voice she said, "Well thank you Ruth for explaining all that to me. I cannot give you a quick answer but I will give some thought..."
"And prayer sister," chided Ruth.
"Yes of course I meant that by saying thought. Anyway I will let you know."
Ruth seemed satisfied with that and left and Erin wondered what to do. Was it really true that if she just accepted a spanking all would be well? She didn't want to break Josh from his family, she had never wanted to do that. The spanking dished out to Sarah had been a hard one but the paddle was worse still so she could take it - but the thought of baring her bottom and going over his knee was awful, and it would be with the three sisters and Mrs Whittle sitting there, two at least approving every smack of the hand. If taking a spanking would make it OK for Josh she'd do it but who to ask for advice? Her Uncle Jack was a man of even temper but he had been angry about Mr Whittle and her aunt had always been a bit fiery when roused. Her dad and mum would probably want to drag her home to what they thought of as sanity. Josh's Aunt Unity was hardly unbiased, and then she thought of Pastor Jones.
Pastor Jones was delighted to hear from her and told her if she came straight away he could give her an hour. She sat in his study and told him the whole thing. Halfway through she was sure he'd just tell her to take the spanking and she decided to ask Kerry to chaperone her. At the end of her saga he pronounced.
"Ridiculous, the man is going mad I believe. I really must have a word with my colleague Pastor Franks. Erin this whole thing is nonsensical. He had very little cause to spank you at all apart from having no right. The beating of his son was not with Pastor Franks' blessing, in fact he counselled against such severity, and my friend and colleague is still wrestling with the problem. To place yourself in his power like that would achieve nothing because he would then demand much from Joshua in penance. Unity Whittle may well be an awkward soul but her heart is in the right place and Joshua is better with her.
"I do believe in Godly corporal correction of young people but not as Mr Whittle likes to use. It's often too severe, and more to the point, far too often. As to you he has a point though - you are somewhat opinionated young Erin and as such sometimes act in inappropriate ways. Understandable of course, you are young, intelligent and of strong character. You have also proved to have a good conscience and the courage to accept corporal correction when you believe it is deserved. However, I think that you need to listen more to your elders and sometimes accept Godly corporal correction when you do not believe you deserve it.
"It is my opinion that your Uncle Jack needs to be somewhat stricter with you than he has so far and you need to accept that in all humility. You are at a crossroads and must be careful not to be become arrogant and overly ambit
ious.
"Perhaps if I were your uncle I would pull Mr Whittle's teeth by spanking you for your impolite outburst at his house. You could have queried the beating in a polite way, asked about the scriptural justification for such severity, asked what he was being spanked for exactly, saying church was boring or defying his father. To inform him that you had been chastised for that would leave him nowhere to go except to try to make amends to Joshua. That, however, is only an opinion. My advice is don't go near the Whittles and do not accept his offer. Simply inform Jack, Carol, Unity and Josh."
Erin tried to feel angry about what he had said of her but couldn't. She thanked Pastor Jones and went home again with much to think about. She then popped in to Kerry's house to tell her she was going out with Josh, only to find Kerry her head down with her father giving her a long sound telling off.
"Ah Erin," Kerry's dad sounded very upset, "what would your Uncle Jack do if you were grossly rude and impertinent to your aunt?"
"Well I... I'm not sure really."
"Come on Erin don't be shy about it. I am not in the mood."
Erin shot a helpless glance at Kerry who was still looking down. She didn't want to say her uncle would spank her bottom so hard she'd have difficulty sitting, and it would have her parents backing as well. Finally she stammered out with, "Spank me I guess."
"You guess right girl. Kerry Ann, eighteen or no eighteen you will not be rude or back chat your mom. To your room young lady you have five minutes before I arrive and you had better be ready."
Kerry scuttled off looking rather scared.
Unfairly in Erin's view Kerry's dad turned to her and asked, "Strap or paddle?"
"Oh please don't strap her sir. It is really awful. Kerry didn't mean to be like that I'm sure she just got in a stress about something I bet and it popped out. My uncle is starting to use his hand sometimes instead of the paddle. Couldn't you just spank her with your hand?"
A voice from the doorway came from Kerry's mom. "Please Steve just use your hand. She regretted it the moment she did it. You know she is really a good girl."
"Well I guess I could, but I am grounding her for this evening. She's going nowhere once I've spanked her so you young lady will have to make other arrangements."
Erin went back to her room feeling she had at least helped her friend a bit. She sat by her open window and listened as the spanking began next door. The smack of her father's hand on Kerry's bare bottom sounded loud even across the gap between the houses and the spanking came thick and fast. Soon Kerry was yelping and crying but Erin could tell it wasn't as bad as the paddle. When it was over she could see from her window Kerry standing in the corner while her mum came to look. Kerry remained in her corner all the while Erin got ready to go out with Josh. When she was dressed she looked across in time to see Kerry come to her window, released from the corner but now grounded for the evening.
"Thanks Erin, I really owe you for that. I thought he was going to strap me and I was so scared but you got it down to just a hand spanking. You're great girl, have a fantastic evening with Josh won't you."
Josh was shocked his sister came to see Erin but she edited the whole conversation and just told him Ruth wanted to know where he was. Sarah knew in fact but was obviously keeping it secret but he promised to let his parents know. It wasn't until breakfast time on Sunday that Erin told her aunt and uncle about Pastor Jones advice and not until just about going into church that she told Josh and Unity. The result, after some negotiation, was a hastily convened conference with Pastor Jones after the evening service attended by Jack, Carol, Unity, Josh and Erin.
Pastor Jones gave his advice again and finished by saying that Erin was choosing far too much whether or not she would be spanked. He pointed out that Jack and Carol had not instigated the signing up to the church program Behaviour Pack, that Jack asserted himself as being in loco parentis, and Erin learnt to be a good Christian girl. She showed much promise... but no more choices.
"You're a fool Peter Jones - a well- meaning fool to be sure but a fool all the same. Erin cannot be made to agree to anything. She may say yes of course but then she will have the right of withdrawal at any point in time." Unity's speech didn't offend the pastor, he just smiled.
"Now girl I rebelled at eighteen and my rebellion cost me dearly. I have done many things I now deeply regret because I threw the baby out with the bath water. You remind me of me. You are strong, intelligent and determined and a good sore bottom from Jack, who is a good man as men go, will not do anything but good. But it is a choice and only you can say what you feel is right. Once made though girl it isn't one you should go back on, so think carefully."
They all looked at Erin who spoke carefully. "There are two choices to be made. Do I accept Pastor Jones advice and let my uncle spank me for rudeness at Josh's house which may serve to help reconcile him with Josh but might not; and do I accept that I am in need of a much stricter regime and ask my uncle to begin it."
There was a long tense silence and Josh who felt he had nothing useful to say held her hand. Everyone else stared at Erin who appeared to drift off into another world. What the thinking process was she has never said but finally she spoke.
Chapter 10
"Thank you all for your advice. If spanking me mollifies Josh's dad in some way and helps with some form of reconciliation then Uncle Jack doing it is OK with me although I obviously won't like it. I did burst out I know and I had tried to be so careful too so I am annoyed with myself. I should just have said no straight away and walked out, then Josh wouldn't have been in that position, so I am partly to blame. I'm glad the advice is not to let him do it because I wouldn't find it easy at all. However, Uncle Jack has to have a say in this so the final decision is his. The only thing I would say is if Uncle Jack does decide to do it I think Pastor Jones, you and my uncle should go and visit Mr Whittle to explain what has happened. I will write an apology to go with you. That is my view. I am not saying you must do it or anything, just what I think."
There was a pause then with a lot of talking and all agreed that if Jack spanked her that the follow up visit was a good idea.
"Then onto to the next bit. I feel ashamed of myself. Pastor Jones is right. Kerry got spanked yesterday and said nothing just stood ashamed and waiting for her dad to decide what to do. I have been doing too much deciding and if Uncle Jack wants to tighten up then I accept even if I don't like it."
"Amen child. You will be a fine Christian woman one day and right now a fine Christian girl. Well Jack its now firmly your decision."
Jack looked frankly quite sick. He really hated being the stern uncle and strangely he looked not at Carol but Unity who gave him the slightest, scarcely noticeable nod as if to say, "I think you should do it." Perhaps he was right because Carol was too emotional about her niece to give an unbiased opinion.
"My decision is this. When we get home Erin I will spank you not for objecting to the beating but for the way you objected. It was after all not Mr Whittle that did it and you were a guest. It is not just hosts who have obligations but guests too. I am not sure how I can be stricter in future with you but we will have to deal with that day by day but from now on I decide and you will accept my decision however unfair you may think it at the time.
"Are you free tomorrow Pastor Jones, I'd like to get this visit to Whittle over with?"
It didn't take long for them all to get back to Carol and Jack's house. Unity and Josh came too though no one was quite sure why.
"To your room Erin and get ready."
Erin walked quickly to her room wishing once again that she wasn't wearing one of her church dresses. She had barely got it off when her uncle came in. She blushed and apologised for not being ready.
"No matter just give me the paddle and get ready quickly. I hate this but I guess I have to be tougher."
The paddle had been hung when first bought on the wall opposite the bed. The church advice was paddles should be hung in plain sight so that young people would
always be reminded of a possible consequence to bad behaviour. The McWilliams next door hung it in the family room. Kerry had hers hanging in the bedroom and so did Erin. Erin walked across and took the paddle down and gave it to her uncle and then quickly slid her panties off and placed herself over his lap. The spanking began immediately.
The first spank always seemed a surprise to Erin and stung so much she jolted hard, and her uncle simply crossed his leg over her legs - a worrying sign. Down the paddle smacked again with the nasty sound it makes on a bare bottom. Erin could barely move under her uncle's strong grip but she voiced her discomfort with a loud gasp. Jack looked down and saw the two angry marks but still brought the paddle down hard again sending ripples across her bottom and causing her to jerk hard. It was the fifth smack of the paddle before Erin made a sound loud enough to be heard downstairs by her aunt, Unity and Josh. They heard the "Arrgh" of pain and all flinched in sympathy. Josh knew she was doing it for him more than anything and wished he could somehow stop it.
After a while the listeners downstairs heard an abrupt change of tempo with the smack of the paddle on Erin's bottom getting faster and her cries matching them getting louder and shriller with each smack. The sounds of the spanking seemed to merge into one long sound, and all waiting knew that Erin's bottom would now have passed red and be into that stage where the dark purples of incipient bruising become clear. Jack was giving her a severe spanking.
Finally the smacking of the paddle ceased marking the end of the spanking but the sounds of Erin crying were still plain and all knew that Jack would be comforting her in that strange reversal of roles. Finally they heard movement which would be Erin going to stand in the corner and Jack came down.
