The Birthday Wish

"Happy bithday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birtday dear Johnnie, happy birthday to you." A whole chorus of young teenage voices sang aloud as the birthday boy blew out his fourteen candles. Fortunately, none of the well-wishers were forced to wear riduculous looking cone hats and the event at least had a more grown-up feel than my brother's last birthday party. Still I was incurably bored and the hot, humid air was not helping my mood any. After all I was sixteen and practically a women. My brother and his friends were just kids at thirteen and fourteen years old.

"Tell me why I had to be here again?" I whispered to my Mom. She ignored me and continued to take pictures of the instant variety. Some of you remember them I'm sure, you know the cameras that spit the pictures out the front a second after you clicked the button. The annoying gear grinding noise so loud the crickets even shut up. A few moments later there were ten greenish gray pictures slowly developing in Mom's hands as she rapidly waved them around in the air as though that was going to make the pictures develop into masterpieces. When I looked away, giving up on getting an answer, I was surprised to see a slice of chocolate cake sitting in front of me and nearly identical pieces in front of everyone else. I rolled my eyes as I noticed the waxed paper plate was sporting the riducous image of a comic book hero. "Mom! He's fourteen. These plates should be like the Dallas Cowboy's or something not kiddie cartoons." Okay, maybe I said it a little loud, but nobody needed to stop and stare at me. Besides, what I said was true and everyone except Mom knew it. My little brother was far more into football, baseball, and basketball than he had ever been into comics. Sure I thought of him as still a kid, but even I knew he wasn't a baby. Maybe someday I will understand why Mom's never see their sons as anything other than little boys. For the moment though, I just don't get it.

"Kelly, come help me in the house for a minute." Dad said from out of nowhere. I was startled by his voice coming from behind me and slightly jumped as his hand rested gently on my left shoulder for a moment.

"Sure, Dad." I smiled up at him by tilting my head back. I knew I was in a little bit of trouble. Dad would understand though I knew he'd most likely just tell me I was being a brat. As I knew it was true I couldn't very well blame him for deciding to tell me so. We walked to the house together and even though we didn't say anything I could tell he wasn't actually mad at me. I decided I would apologize to him and behave better for the rest of the day. For the most part I was a good kid and when Dad was kind enough to talk to me about something he wanted me to change I was always apt to do so cause I felt like he respected me when he did that. It had actually become the most common way Dad addressed my behavior issues. I still got grounded and spanked from time to time and sometimes both, but Dad seemed to really like it when we just talked and I corrected my behavior just because he asked me to. I liked it because to me I thought I was being treated like an adult (yes, I realize now that an adult would never have needed to be told in the first place) and I didn't get the stupid "Because I told you so," line when I asked good questions.

When the back door closed behind us and I was sure we were out of earshot of the pary, I said, "I'm sorry Dad. I didn't mean to say that out loud. I couldn't help thinking it, but I know I never should have said it aloud."

"Kelly relax, I'm not mad. I thought we could both use a few moments away from that scene is all." Dad was almost laughing, I could see it in his eyes. "Your right though you shouldn't have said that out there. 'Course if you hadn't I might of. John's fourteen now and well beyond the age of action figures and cartoons." He shook his head looking out the screen door to where everyone else was enjoying their cake.

"So, how come Mom doesn't see he's growing up?" I ventured the questions since Dad seemed almost as annoyed with it as I was.

"You'll understand someday when you're older." Dad moved over to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. He poured a glass and offered it to me which I accepted. As he poured himself a glass he continued, "I know that sounds like a load of crock, but really I can't explain it to you. When you have kids of you own, then we can talk about it."

We drank our lemonade and just looked at each other for a couple of minutes. I have been stark naked in front of my Dad and I have never felt his eyes on me like I did that day. I don't mean to infer any improper attention its just that this was the first time I noticed him seeing me not as his little girl, but as a young woman. I wasn't sure what the right thing to say was. I didn't want to ruin the moment because it felt good to me. I wanted him to know that I could be that young woman and still be his little girl.

"I love you, Dad." I said with a smile and I walked right up to him, stood up on my tip-toes and kissed his cheek.

He wrapped an arm around me and gave a quick hug as he replied, "I love you too, Kelly."

It was a very tender moment for me. I often remember my Dad that way, standing in the kitchen with that look in his eyes. At the time I wished the moment could last forever and I guess in away I got my wish because its a moment I'll never forget. Our private moment ended when Mom came inside. She was in search of the pitcher of lemonade we had left out on the counter. She was scowling at me, but her face was noticeably different when she looked at my Dad.

"The amount of attitude and disrespect she's been throwing around today, I'd of thought you would have blistered her butt right in front of those kids out there. You're not setting a very good example to them just hauling her in here to drink my lemonade." Mom was practically scolding my Dad in front of me and the disapproving tone was thicker than the humidity. Fortunately, I manged to keep my thoughts from being vocalized this time. Mom's tone and words told me she wasn't going to be happy unless Dad spanked me right outside in front of everybody. I didn't need to hear Dad's response to know he was reluctant to do anything of the sort. I was feeling a bit relieved at that as I knew Mom would never spank me herself.

"Kelly and I have been talking. I don't feel there is any call for a spanking here. She.." Dad started to explain to Mom.

"You are going to let her get away with humiliating me like that? If she had sassed you like that you know damn well you'd have tanned her hide. I won't be treated like dirt, Gerald!" Mom interrupted Dad. I don't think I'd ever heard her talk to my Dad like that before. She finished her tirade with, "I expect to see a very red butt out there on display to tell everyone of those kids out there that sassiness is not acceptable. Do you understand me, Gerald? You either take care of her or you get the hell out of my house!" She didn't wait for Dad to answer. She grabbed the pitcher of lemonade, spilling some on the floor, and stormed out the back door, slamming it behind her.

I wanted to laugh. I didn't, but I really wanted to. The look on Dad's face while Mom was throwing her tantrum was priceless. And actually seeing Mom act like that was very enlightening. I have to admit, I always wondered what, if anything, of my personality I inherited from my Mom and now I know. It was that little fire demon attitude and just like a license plate frame I once saw it was,"Zero to Bitch in 0.35 seconds."

"Kelly, go get the belt and bring it here." Dad's voice was real soft and low. I knew the tone well as I heard it often enough when I made Dad really mad.

"Dad, please not in front of everyone. Please!" I begged him for some leniency having already accepted the fact he would spank me just because Mom wanted him to. I didn't like it and was somewhat surprised by the turn of events, but I knew better than to argue. In fact, I guess I figured I deserved the spanking cause my words had been more than a bit out of line.

"Kelly, I've had enough arguing for one day. Now just do as your told."

"Yes, sir." I lowered my head in complete submission and walked to the hall closet choking back tears.

I opened up the closet door and stood just staring at the brown leather belt. It was definately old, you could tell by the cracks in the leather. The edges were as hard as ever though and the two inch width between them was punctuated with parallel rows of rusted metal rivets. The buckle was long gone and I found myself wondering if the belt had ever been used for anything other than spanking. I lifted it off the nail and held the correction instrument gingerly in my hands. I bit my lip as I closed the closet door, still fighting back the impending tears. My walk back to the kitchen and Dad was quick as I didn't want thoughts that I was dawdling to cross his mind.

He took the belt from my hands and said, "Come along." His voice was still quiet, but I think I heard sadness in his tone. It only took us a minute or so to reach the table. My brother and his friends were just finishing up their cake and lemonade. Mom looked up as we approached with a smile. The look on her face was all the proof I needed that she was going to enjoy my humiliation.

"Pardon me, kids. I didn't want to interrupt your fun here today, but unfortunately proper correction of bad behavior can't be delayed." Dad's voice was louder now and I definately was picking up on sadness in his voice.

"Audrey dear, I will not tolerate tantrums from you or our kids. You think Kelly's behavior has been so awful today I suggest you think about your own. You have embarrassed our son by treating him like a boy when he is a young man, you have embarrassed yourself by throwing a tantrum because you didn't get you way with Kelly. And lets not forget about how you treated your loving husband a few moments ago. You want to see a red butt out here and I'm happy to oblige. Only it is going to be your bottom. Now have I made myself clear?"

I think I was in shock. I just stood there, mouth open wide, looking from my Dad to my Mom. It was a battle of will between them. I knew Dad would win in the end cause he always wins those battles. Mom wasn't going to make it easy though.

"Don't you even think about it, Gerald! I won't stand for it, not one second do you hear me?" She was backing away from the table as she yelled at Dad. I think she was even trembling. Dad didn't waste time and she never really had a chance to get away. He grabbed hold of her arm and slapped the belt down on her bottom with a loud smack. "Ouch!" Mom jumped a little and her face was covered with fear.

"Your going to get your bare bottom tanned out here just like you asked for. The question is are you gonna bare it now or you gonna make me warm you hide first?" Dad had a firm grip on Mom and was propelling her forward to the table.

"I won't Gerald! Not in front of the kids, Gerald!" Mom voice was suddenly very high pitched almost a shriek. Dad was smacking her pretty hard. He pushed the upper half of her down on the table with his left hand and released his hold on her arm with his right. He grabbed the belt firmly in his right hand then and started swinging in earnerst.


"Ouch! Ouch! Nooooo! Ger! Ouch! ald! Noooooo! Stoop! Ouch! Please! Noooo! Stop! Ouch! Ouch! Nooo! Ouch! Ouch!" Mom was blubbering out not much diffent than the way I would have sounded. The belt was swishing through the air almost non-stop and Mom was kicking her legs and squirming about on the table. It was hilarious. My brother and all his friends had a pefect view of Mom's face. We were all doing our best not to break out in open laughter. Dad finally paused his assault on Mom's rear for a moment.

"Are you ready to bare you bottom and get the spanking you deserve yet?" Dad asked in a very calm voice. Its the voice that always scared me the most when I was in trouble.

"Please Gerald, not in front of the kids." Mom was crying now as she begged. Dad just started swinging the belt again and her voice shrieked up again. "OOOh! Noooo! Okay! Okay! I'll ouch! bare oooww! my oooooh bottom oooow! Please!"

Dad kept swinging the belt long after Mom agreed to his demand. I guess he wanted to make sure she wouldn't argue anymore about being spanked. She was hollering out more than I think I've ever done. I also think Dad might have been swinging the belt harder than he ever had on me.

He stopped swinging the belt and pulled her upright by the back of her dress. Her make-up was ruined with tears running all down her face. She wouldn't look at any of us kids. She just kept her head down. Dad didn't even say anything this time she just reached up behind her, unzipped her dress and let it drop to the ground. I could tell she was seriously blushing at that point, but it wasn't over. She had a white slip on that she pushed off her shoulders and let fall to the ground with her dress and then she stepped out of them and her shoes. She was wearing pantyhose and she cried out a little as she pulled them down and off her bottom. It took her a minute or so to get them all the way off as she was being careful not to ruin them. Then the last shred of her dignity left as she pushed her pink panties to the ground. I was standing to the side so I could see her bottom was already red and showing marks from the belt. She stood still her head downcast and her hands at her sides. A soft pink bra was all that was left covering her body and the looks on the faces of my brother's friends was a testament to the fact my Mom was still a very attractive woman. While I was relieved not to be on the receiving end of that belt I did feel sorry for my Mom at that moment.

"Bend over the table and stay there, Audrey. This is going to hurt, but you'll learn your lesson today." Dad's voice was almost kind right then.

Mom did as she was told and bent over the table. The belt came crashing down almost immediately. She screemed in pain. The action and effect were repeated over and over. I watched in silent fascination as Mom's bottom grew redder and redder. The stripes from the belt slowly raising themselves on her bottom until the entire surface was a swollen, red beacon. Her screams eventually became sobs. When Dad finally stopped swinging the belt she was nothing more than a limp, little girl crying on the table top. Dad made her lay there without being able to massage her sore buttocks for at least a half hour while the party moved on to opening gifts.

When all the gifts were opened and my brother and his friends had gone off to play some baseball, Mom was finally allowed up. Dad made her clean up the whole mess at the table before he let her pick her clothes up and carry them back to the house. When Mom served dinner later that night, she was still bare and her bottom was still glowing red.

Dad asked John, "Did you get everything you wished for today?"

"Yes, sir. I guess birthday wishes can come true." The look on his face made me wonder what he wished for when he blew those candles out.