Chapter 11 Goodbye
The morning came to quickly and Pa was waking us all up.
"Ben will be here soon but you three are going to help us with morning chores. As for you three." Pa turned from my brothers to Jase, Jas, and I. "We will talk about it when we get done with the horses."
"Yes sir." The three of us said and headed out the trailer to the barn. A lot of people were already up and at the barn getting stuff packed up. Most of the teens we past were walking stiffly and looked like they didn't have a good night. Others looked like us waiting for the timer to tick down before the bomb exploded. But we all had one thing in common we walked around with our heads down doing what needed to be done.
"Okay boys pick someone to go with and help. You better be working or else. After the horses are fed I need the tack room carried to the trailer." Pa said walking away. Sam ended up coming with me, Jere with Jaz and Wes with Jase.
"Hey um Kat?" Sam said as he fallowed me into the tack room to get food.
"Yes?" I asked handing him a bucket and then pouring food into it.
"I am sorry about last night. I just feel really protective over you. I was eight when Mom took you and unlike the other two I remember you and her well. I cried, you probably don't remember but you were my little buddy. You would cry as a baby when I left the room. Needless to say I still feel the same about you as I did back then. You're my baby sister and I will always protect you." He said as we walked to Starbuck's stall.
"That's going to take some getting used too." I shrug as I go to muck her stall.
"Yeah I think a lot of things will. So Mr. Smith......." Sam looked up at me looking concerned.
"What about him?"
"Well a lot of kids were already getting spanked as they walked."
"Yeah? Your point? A lot of parents around these parts do that." I shrugged.
"Does Mr. Smith do that to you?"
"He has when I deserved it."
"Well that's good." He sighed in relief as I gave him an are you crazy look. "I just mean it won't be your first time when Ben gets a hold of us."
"Oh I see." I paused and looked at him. "Well that sucks but I am sure if Ben doesn't then Pa will. Pa is like my Dad and I love him but he is strict."
"Bens like that for us too. Well Ben and Reuben are. I was ten when Dad passed and Ben became our legal guardian. Reuben helped Ben so they raised us. Both of them can be strict in their own way." Sam shrugged.
"Well that sounds like so much fun." I groaned rolling my eyes causing Sam to chuckle.
We sat in a happy silence as I finished mocking the stall. Once I was done I walked over to Starbuck and wrapped my arms around her neck.
"You're going to miss her aren't you?" Sam asked looking from the corner.
"More than anything." I stood there for a few seconds then pulled away looking at Sam. He watched Starbuck move and he stiffened. "You should pet her she won't hurt you. Just don't walk right behind her."
He looked at me for a minute like I was crazy then looked at her. I could see the contemplation in his eyes as he slowly walked up to me.
"There you go now stick your hand out and pet her neck."
He shock his head. "She's starring at me."
I held in a laugh and tried my best to help. "Take a deep breath and calm down she feeds off your emotions." He took a deep breath and slowly stuck his hand out. "There you go she likes it when you rub like this." I showed him and he finally reached up and did it.
What will kat do when she is faced with the people she and her brother love. Will she be able to choose who she will be with. Or will she leave them all behind? She neve...
His face quickly went from worry to excited. "I am doing it!"
"You're doing great. Maybe when I come visit you can come too. Pa and I can teach you to ride and work cattle. But we will definitely have to get you different clothes."
Sam laughed a little then looked at me. "Think Mr. Smith would actually let us come back after what we did?"
"Oh yeah. Pa is strict but forgiving. He says that all kids make mistakes but it's the parents job to correct them. He tells us that it's the worst part of the job but once your punishment is over everything is forgiven."
"Ben's the same way. He hated that Dad would stay mad. He said it made him feel like he didn't love him at times. So Ben makes sure to let us know that he might still be disappointed in our choices but he still loves us. If he ever decides to have kids of his own he will be a great Dad because he already is." Sam smiled and looked back at me. "Reuben told me a little bit about what you have been through and Katherine I promise you won't go through that with us. Our brothers are very loving and nurturing."
"I am starting to see that." I smile and nod. "Now let's go grab some of the things in the tack room and get it loaded so we don't get in more trouble." I said heading towards the door with Sam behind me. We grabbed some stuff to carry as. The other four walked in to do the same. We all then made our way down to the trailer to see the two rental cars there. While we loaded the trailer with our items Pa came around and told us when we were done to come sit at the picnic table that was outside the trailer. Once we rounded the back to the side we saw Momma talking to Ben and Reuben.
"Shit Reubens here." I heard Wes mumble from behind me making me tense up.
As we walked I felt Sam's hand slide into mind. I looked up at him and he squeezed my hand. "It will be okay I am right here." He whispered.
"You six sit down." Pa ordered and we listened sitting down. "Not only did y'all snick out to a party but you two had drinks in your hands." Pa motioned to Sam and Jere. "You went swimming in a lake which is dangerous." He pointed to me. "What if someone ended up drowning there were so many kids there swimming and drinking that's not safe at all. I know my three know better and I am disappointed."
"Our three know better too." Ben said glaring at the boys. "I left you here thinking you could behave and then you do this. You owe Mr and Mrs Smith an apology before we leave for causing so much trouble."
"Okay we all have to hit the road soon so let's get this over with. Come on Jase let's go." Pa motion to the trailer and Jase stood up with a sigh as him, Pa and Momma walked in. We all sat there is silence as we heard Pa tare into Jase. The trailer didn't have thick walls and you could hear every smack. Pa must have been laying into him good because after about ten smacks we could hear Jason whaling. It seemed like it took forever for Jason and Pa to come out. Jason's face was red as tear were still falling from his face. He walk to us but stood by the table not wanting to sit.
Pa then took Jasmine wasting no time. Unlike Jason she squealed after about five making my brothers and myself tense up. Once the smacks stop ringing out of the trailer it took a while for them to come out. Jasmine was the more sensitive one of the group. She always took longer than Jason and I to calm down enough to come out.
Once they came out Ben stood up. "Okay boys let's go." He said as him Reuben and the three younger ones went into the trailer. I was in shock. Was he really going to do it with all of them in there? Pa aways separated us. Yes we could hear it and we all knew what was happening but only Momma would ever be on there. Don't get me wrong he would maybe send a warning swat in front of the others but always waited til he could get us alone to do the entire thing. The only time he did do it was one year when we couldn't stop fighting when we went to Florida. He pulled over the truck and went to town on all of our rear ends. One right after another in front of all of us. We stoped fighting after that.
It seemed like it took a bit for them to start and I assumed Ben was lecturing. Pa sometimes did that but he did a lot of his lecture when spanking. When we heard the first smack we all knew he was not using his hand. But it seemed to sound like it echoed or louder than it should. That's when it clicked Reuben was here to punish too not just to be on the sidelines. It wasn't long before the sound of the belt smacking bottoms echoed with two of the boys crying out. They were not nearly as loud as Jason and Jasmine were but you could hear the discomfort. Once they were done there was a pause for a few minutes before we heard the third start to receive his. It was the same way as the other two but this time only one. You could tell whoever was wielding the belt was not being gentle, he was making sure his point got across. After what seemed like forever Ben and the three younger boys stepped out. It was so weird to see someone as big and old as Sam to be walking around with a red face and teary eyes. They all sat down next to me wincing as their butt hit the wood of the table.
Ben's eyes then caught mine, he took a deep breath and sighed. "Let's go Katherine." I tensed up taking a big gulp of air finding my will power to stand up. Once I did I walked past Ben and into the trailer where I saw Reuben sitting at the table with his head in is hands. "Sit Katherine." Ben said in a stern tone pointing to the couch. "I was hoping that I wouldn't have to do this for a while but it seems like we are at this point. I am very disappointed in your choices Katherine Elizabeth. I know you haven't been around us for long but we run a tight ship. You do the crime and you have to do the time. What you all did was dangerous. Something could have happened to any of those kids. Sam said you didn't drink and I am glad you didn't cause I don't tolerate underage drinking which the boys know that. However you did go swimming and I can't over look the plane disregard for your own safety. What if something happened and you drowned do you think teenagers that are drunk can help you!" He huffed out. "I know Matt has spanked you growing up and you're used to it. We do the same at our home. However I know things are complicated so if you want Matt to do this one I understand but once you're back home with us you will have to be a perfect angel or one of us will spank you. Understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Who do you want to do it?"
"You can but can Pa be here. I want to trust you but it's hard and Pa just being in here will make me feel safer."
"Yeah I will go get him." Ben said going out and coming back in a minute later. "Okay so the boys got the belt however I have never spanked you before so I am going to use my hand. Pull your jeans down but keep your underwear on and come here." I did as he said and moved to in front of where he was sitting on the couch. "I don't do kicking and squirming so if I have to tell you twice I will give plenty smack understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay let's get this over with." He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer then bent me over his left knee. He didn't take long before he laid down the first smack. It honestly wasn't that bad and I could tell he was watching me to gage how much I could take. That made me feel safer. The second one came down way harder and I grunted in pain. The three was in the middle of the first two not soft but it left a sting and cause me to tense up. He was actually studying my reaction to make sure he didn't go over bored. Sam was right I was going to be safe and I wouldn't go through what my Mom and her boyfriend did to me ever again. Once he figured out how hard to go he started to pick up the speed alternating sides and covering my entire bottom with stinging slaps. After a good minute of his perfect rhythm he had going like he was playing the drums on my butt I felt the heat. I started to whimper and wiggle a little. "Hold still Katherine." He said tightening his grip around my waist.
I could feel my tears building up and the sting building. I couldn't help it and almost didn't notice the fact that I was wiggling again. "I said stop it Kat!" He growled as he laid a slap on each thigh causing me to howl out. He turned back to my butt and keep going with no signs of stopping. He seemed to be covering every possible stop he could causing my ass to feel like it was going to catch fire. I am sure after this we would be able to roast marshmallows. I was at the point of sobbing trying my best to breath though it.
"Ben please OWWWWW stop! OWWWW" I cried knowing everyone outside could hear me. I hated this, he was as bad or maybe even worse than Pa and Pa would hurt. After what felt like eternity of me pleading I finally when limp and just keep crying.
"Okay Kat now you have just ten more. I want you to count these if you miss count you will get a plenty. Understand?" Ben voice was fern but soft.
"Yes sir." I said though my sobs. He didn't waste time laying down the smack. "Ow one"
Smack. "Ahhh two."
Smack "three." My voice was shaky as I tried my best to say the number.
Smack, smack he quickly laid down two one right after the other. "OUCHIE! FOUR! FIVE!" I screamed.
Smack "Ben please!"
He smacked my thighs "number Katherine." He demanded through my yells.
"Six!"
Smack "ahhhh seven." Smack "eight Ben please I can't."
"You have two more you can do it little sis." His voice was kind and soft. He almost sounded sad.
Smack, smack. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH NINE! TEN!!" I screamed and went fully limp. He did say anything as I cried my heart out. He just rubbed my back gently giving me time. Once I was ready I stood up seeing tears in his eyes too.
"I am ss-s-so-sorry." I hiccup.
Ben quickly pulled me into his lap being careful of my tendered back side and hugged me. "It's okay little sis you did so good. I forgive you it's okay." He whispered as he held me close and rubbed my back. We sat there for what seemed like forever him telling me it was okay and me soaking his shirt. At one point I heard the door open and close and assume that Pa and Reuben left.
"You ready to go? We need to be at the airport soon." Ben asked after we had been sitting there for a while.
"I will get to see them again right?" I said looking at him through my tears.
"Of course I will never keep you away from them." He said kissing my head.
"Okay I am ready." I stood up and he fallowed me out.
"We have to leave in a few minutes. But before I forget I want your phones." Ben said coming out of the trailer looking at my three brothers and me holding out his hand. I am guessing I had a look of fear. "Don't worry I already talked to Laura and Matt. For the next week you're grounded however every night you can FaceTime them for an hour. I told you Kat I am not keeping you from them." Ben said as the boys handed him their phones. I sighed and nodded. Okay I will still get to talk to them. I thought as I slowly handed my phone over.
"I got your bags in Ben's car and we will send the rest of your stuff over when we get home." Momma said as she hugged me tight. "We will see you soon sweetie I love you."
"I love you too Momma. Thanks for being the Mom I needed." I cried as I pulled away and was turned to hug Jasmine.
"As soon as we get our phones back we will text all the time." She cried and I nodded.
Next was Jason. "Try to stay out of trouble will you?"
I laughed and shock my head. "I should be the one saying that to you." He smiled and kissed my forehead letting me go and turning me towards Pa. "I love you Daddy." I said slamming my body into his as I sobbed into his chest.
"I love you too baby girl and I am always here for you. If I didn't think you were going to a good place I would fight this but they are good guys. They love you and we will see you so much you will be sick of us. Be good okay?" He asked pulling me back to look at me.
"Yes sir."
They all said bye to the boys and we all piled into the cars and headed to the hotel to pick up the rest. I slide into the back seat wincing when my tender butt meet the seat. As Reuben started the car I turned around to see the Smiths all waving goodbye. I wave as they slowly disappear from view. The only family I knew, the people that showed me what love truly was and that I could be loved. My safe place was disappearing and all I could do was hope that I could create a new safe place with my brothers. I could only hope that I would love my seven brothers and that they would love me. Well here to hopes and wishing maybe it's not true that they can only happen in fairy tales and maybe it could happen to me.