by Rachel Burns
They talked for a couple of hours. His father told him that the worst thing that could happen to a parent was when something went wrong with the children.
They talked about things that had nothing to do with anything. John confessed that he knew all along that Scott was smitten with Brianna.
“Dad, she is so young, and I’m responsible for her. I can’t date her.”
“No, but you can wait for her to leave your school. Patience. Oh, her parents know it too. We all sat together on New Years Eve and thought up a way to get the two of you together. That was why you had to drive her back to school.” His father laughed. It felt good to laugh.
“I knew I had my future daughter-in-law over my knees when I was spanking her. Your face as she stood in the corner crying.
“Scott, my son, the only thing left for you to do, is to get her to love you back and keep her love. That’s a lot of work. I’m happy for you, son. You turned out really well. Brianna is a very nice girl from a good home. You will be a good husband and a good father if God gives you two children. You will do right by your family. Thanks for talking to me son. I’ll let you go back to sleep now.”
Scott laid down again and thought about his baby sister. Then he thought about Brianna and him building a family.
He thought about the empty room on this floor. Cathy should come here and go to school here. He would talk to the Dean about that.
Chapter 17 – A New Start
Brianna stared at the floor. Her parents were down in Scott’s room talking to him and thanking him. She felt too weak to go with them. The car trip here had taken a lot out of her.
At the moment, all she could do was stare at the floor. She had lain there dead. That made a big impression on her. Her parents were always all smiles. They were happy that she had lived.
Brianna was surprised that she had lived. She hadn’t expected it.
“She isn’t the same. We are hoping that being around the other girls will cheer her up some,” her father explained to Scott. “She just seems so depressed.”
“We will be staying here in town for at least a week. Call us if it doesn’t work out. Please, don’t hesitate,” her mother looked him deep in the eyes with the same green eyes that Brianna had.
“I’ll take care of her,” Scott answered them.
“We know you will, son. We just don’t want anyone to put any pressure on her. She isn’t up to snuff. It’s just taking a little longer than we thought.”
“Don’t worry about her. I’m sure that routine of going to school every day will help her.” Scott tried to sound positive.
“We’ll just go and say goodbye to her.” Charles patted him on his shoulder. They turned and went back to her.
Scott could see that her parents were hard hit by all of this. Her mother looked like she might burst into tears.
“Brianna?” Her father was kneeling in front of her. Funny, she hadn’t heard him come in.
“Yes, Daddy?”
He smiled at her. “We’re leaving now. Goodbye, sweetheart.” He kissed her on her forehead. She nodded her goodbye at him. Her mother kissed her cheek, and Brianna gave her a slight nod too. Her mother was making sobbing noises as she left. Brianna went back to staring at the floor.
That was how Scott found her an hour later.
He went in and sat down next to her. He grabbed her hand again and they both just stared at the floor. They were both remembering. Scott from memory and Brianna from hearsay.
“I’m really sorry.”
Scott laughed. “I’ve been waiting for you to say something stupid like that.”
Brianna looked at him shocked then she slowly smiled and turned away so he couldn’t see it.
“I have a present for you.” He whistled really loudly.
Brianna jumped. “Where did you learn something like that?”
“On our farm,” he answered her. “It’s a lot easier than looking for three little sisters.”
“You don’t have to give me anything. I owe you not the other way around.”
“I bet you will really want this gift.” He looked up to the door. Cathy was standing there. “Here she is now.” He let go of Brianna’s hand and left the two girls alone. Cathy threw herself at Brianna.
“Cathy.” Brianna wrapped her hands around her and laid her head on her shoulder.
“Brianna, I needed to talk to you so much. I missed you beyond words.” Cathy was crying as she stared at her best friend.
“You’re not mad at me.” Brianna was also crying but in disbelief.
“Never. I’m sorry you got into trouble because of me.” Cathy loved her best friend.
“That’s all right.” Brianna’s eyes shifted back to the floor. “I died there.” She pointed to the floor.
“Scott wouldn’t let you die. He never will. You don’t have to worry about that. He is keeping watch. He will take care of you, always.”
Cathy leaned on Brianna shoulder for a few more minutes. “Do you want to go to my room and listen to some music?”
“Your room?”
“Yep, no stalker can find me here. Scott is keeping me safe too. We will have all the same classes. Except that you will have one more than me. I couldn’t keep up in an advanced German class.”
“Really, I get to keep you?”
“Probably forever. Come on let’s go.” Cathy grabbed Brianna by her hand and pulled her along with her. “We will be alone here until tomorrow. The other girls will come then. Scott said we could order a pizza tonight and have a slumber party.”
“I’m not allowed to eat pizza.”
“I know, but Scott said you eat so little that it really wouldn’t matter. It will be a lot of fun. Besides, you have to live through everyone staring at you tomorrow. This is some of my new music. I got lots when I was in the hospital.”
“You had to go to the hospital too?”
“Yes twice. That guy just won’t leave me alone. Scott insists that he will never find me here. And if he does show up, Scott will probably kill him. That wouldn’t be a big loss to society. I wished I found a nice guy like – some other girl I know. She found the nicest guy. He loves her so much. I’m jealous,” Cathy admitted.
“Do you think that I will ever find someone?” Brianna asked her with her face all scrunched up.
“Oh, I’m sure you will.” Cathy was amused at how naïve her friend could be. She had just seen the two of them sitting on her bed and holding hands. Scott had warned her not to say anything to Brianna because he couldn’t act on his feelings anyway.
They listened to music, and Scott brought them a pizza for supper. He stayed and ate too. He told them about their classes. Mostly about the teachers who taught them. He didn’t like all of them himself.
That surprised Brianna. She figured they were all in cahoots.
Scott laughed at that. He had missed her so much. In a year and three months, he could tell her exactly how he felt about her. Right now it was really hard not to reach out to her and pull her close. He liked the idea of having his arms around her.
The girls decided that they would sleep in Brianna’s room. Scott had made this suggestion to Cathy on the drive to school. He figured that she might be afraid to be in her room alone. He was right.
Brianna was really thankful that she had been allowed to come back a day early. She and Cathy talked long into the night. Scott came by often to check on them. He heard a lot of giggling.
Brianna’s parents had called, and he told them that Cathy was doing just what he hoped she would. He described their daughter as laughing and giggling. They would come by tomorrow to see her again.
“Welcome to the first meeting of the third trimester. As you can see, we have an old face back and a new face. Ladies this is Cathy Greene.”
Scott, Cathy and Brianna all waited to see if anyone would make the connection.
They all looked at Cathy who waved at everyone.
“Cathy transferred here from a different school. We al
l hope that you feel at home here.” Cathy and Brianna were leaning against each other. It was obvious that they knew each other.
Cathy looked so sure of herself. She had her best friend with her, and her brother was watching her back. She really did feel safe.
“And Brianna is also back. You were sorely missed by one and all.” All the girls smiled at her. Scott continued, “Brianna isn’t quite up to snuff, so I will once again remind you all that there will be no music allowed at whatever level past eight, and if you must talk to one another, please do so in whispers. Brianna still needs lots of rest.” He gave everyone a look of warning. His eyes stayed on Cathy the longest.
Cathy gave him a mean look back and a couple of girls started to squirm. Brianna had to look away to hide her smile. She poked Cathy to get her to stop.
“Fine then. I will be visiting you all in your rooms to discuss your schedule and my expectations. Off to your rooms. I’ll start with you first, Brianna.” He moved forward to help her up. He held her by her arm and set her down on her bed and then pulled out a chair.
“Here is your schedule. You don’t have any expectations this time round because we are just trying to see if this works at all. Just do what you can and don’t over do it. You have five classes so you can make up what you missed out on last trimester. German will apparently be without homework and without tests.
“Your teacher mentioned that you spoke better German than he did so you will basically be helping him more than learning anything. An easy ‘A.’ If this is too much, let me know.
“You have pretty much the same schedule as last trimester. Your one new class is health. I think you can manage it, but really don’t be shy. If it gets to be too much, or if you start to feel weak for whatever reason, tell me. Your health is of the utmost importance.”
Brianna looked away from him embarrassed. This was just what she had been trying to avoid.
“Brianna, I mean it, even if you think this is embarrassing. If I ever find out that you were sick and that you didn’t tell me, I won’t hesitate to take you over my knee. Brianna, look in my eyes.”
She slowly turned her head and then looked into his blue eyes. He looked back into hers. He had to shake himself because he was thinking that Mrs. Greene would be the perfect name for her with her green eyes.
“I will spank you if you lie to me about your health again. Do you believe me?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
He laughed. “Good because I will do it. I care too much to let anything happen to you. When we are alone, you can call me Scott. In fact, I insist.” He smiled, and she did a little too. “Last question, are you all right sleeping in here alone? Cathy can sleep with you again if you want. I’ll understand if you are scared.”
She started to cry again. “I’m fine, really.”
“Brianna, you don’t have to pretend with me. I understand completely. I’d be scared too.”
“I’m okay, really I am. It also happened in my bedroom at home a couple of times.” She gave him a nod to ensure him.
“You can knock on Cathy’s door in the night if you need to. Time for bed then. I’ll be checking on you in the night so don’t get scared if I’m in here.” He got up and put the chair away. “Do you need me to open a couple of bottles of water for you?”
She nodded, still embarrassed.
He grabbed a couple of bottles and loosened their lids. “You have to take your evening medicine too. You should probably teach me which is which.” He opened the right drawer.
Brianna’s eyes widened. How did he know that, she wondered?
“I’ve learned a lot while you were gone.” He took out her pill dispenser, and she quickly explained the four pills inside. He watched her take them all.
“Do you want me to lift up my tongue to prove that I swallowed all of them?” She gave him a brilliant smile.
He smiled along with her. “I believe you. Go to sleep now.”
He left, still grinning. It had meant the world to him that he had gotten her to smile for him.
He knocked on Cathy’s door. Cathy opened up and smiled at him. Her eyes were dancing with delight. “May I come in?”
“Of course, sir.” She stepped aside and let him in.
He pulled out the chair and sat down. Her room had turned out really nice. They had worked on it yesterday morning. He really wanted her to be happy and feel safe here.
“So how are you adjusting?”
“Fine.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“A reminder,” he held up his hand to stop her protests that he had already told her everything already. “No one can know we are brother and sister, or you will have to move to another floor. You wouldn’t be with Brianna anymore. Secondly, the rules here are for you too, including the consequences. I just told Brianna, and I will tell you too. I will spank you if you need it.”
“You told Brianna that? You will never win her that way.” She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.
“Cathy, we can’t have a relationship anyway. At least, not yet. That has time. She may not have feelings for me.”
“I think she would love the idea of being loved.”
“Well, I do love her. She makes me smile, and I like the idea that she is back here with me, but I don’t want to scare her. Her mother was clear that she needs time. She isn’t even healed up yet. I can be patient. That’s what she needs.”
“Do you think I will find a guy like you one day? Who won’t hurt me?” Cathy asked her big brother.
“I know you will. Besides, you are going to introduce me to any guy you want to date before you go out. I’ll screen them for you.” He ruffled her hair and discussed her schedule with her.
Friday rolled around as quickly as it ever had. Brianna’s parents were visiting her one last time before they left. They were so pleased that she was feeling better. Her mother had even joined her in her German class. They discussed a couple of books. It had been fun for all of them.
Her parents left after kissing and hugging her a million times. Scott was waiting to start his rounds with her again. He was on cloud nine just having Brianna here with him. He waved to her parents too, and then they went into her room.
Scott pulled out the chair and smiled at her as he sat down. “Well, your grades have all been perfect, and you participated in class really well. So –” He looked in her eyes. “I’m glad you are back, Brianna. Do you have any questions, or do you need anything?” He twisted to look back at her large water supply.
“I’m fine, Scott.”
He stared back at her. She had said his name.
Scott was doing it again, she thought. He looked at her like she was a ghost. It made her feel uncomfortable. Her heart sped up when he did that. “Really, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay. Good night, Brianna.”
Scott left a little sad. He continued his rounds. His baby sister was due her first spanking. He knew she wouldn’t take him seriously.
He knocked on her door. She opened it and gave him a mean look.
“For starters turn the music off.” He was fighting not to laugh at her. She was being such a brat.
She closed the door at went at him. “I could hear you. How could you Scott? Those are all really nice girls. No one should be allowed to hit them like that.” She laid her hands on her hips. “No wonder Brianna was so afraid of you. She was right to be. You really are scary. They are all afraid of you.”
“Catherine, the music, turn it off now.” He didn’t feel like smiling anymore. He was mad because she had said that Brianna was afraid of him. She had been too. Brianna had been fine, and then he went into her room, and she had been so cold. She was afraid, and if she was afraid, then she would never love him. Should he just tell her that he wasn’t going to spank her ever again? She really was the good hardworking kind. She wouldn’t use that against him.
Cathy turned the music off, but her mouth was still going. “Scott this really isn’t an honorable jo
b. Beating on grown women – It is just wrong. How can you do that?” She looked up at him very accusingly.
“That’s really easy.” He grabbed the chair and pulled it out and sat down. He grabbed her and pulled her over his knees. She had been wearing a skirt today making his job even easier. “I just pretend that the girls are you. My own little naughty sister. And because I love my little sister so much, and I don’t want her to throw her life away, I take them over my knees and beat some sense into them.” He started in hand spanking her, and she screamed like she had never been spanked before. He lifted her skirt up and pulled her panties down.
Once her bottom was bared, he reached back for the hairbrush. “You read the book. I trust you understood the rules. That can only mean that you either didn’t take them seriously, or that you just didn’t care. Which is it Catherine?”
Her fists were pounding into this leg. He brought the brush down on her backside.
“Scott, stop it.”
“Gladly, when I’m finished, but I’m still waiting for your answer. Why do I have to do this in the first place?”
“Stop. I can’t think when you are hitting me.”
He laughed at her. “I stopped, tell me why you are over my knees.”
“I – I –”
“Yes?”
“I didn’t think you would hurt me too.” She really started in sobbing then.
He pulled her to his chest and held her as she sobbed. “Hush, Cathy. I’m here. He can’t get you here. Your safe.” He wrapped his arms around her head. “But you have to live by the rules here. You have to take this seriously. I want you to do your very best. I know that you can do it, and I will help in every way that I can and believe me this is the most effective way. By hurting you a little, I am helping you. You will take me seriously, just like the others do. If you don’t want me to spank you, then you will just have to follow the rules like everyone else. Even Brianna does.”