Kate handed her father the envelope from school as soon as he arrived. He asked what it was, but not knowing, she couldn't give him any information. Getting letters like this from the exclusive all-women's college his 18-year-old daughters attended was pretty rare as his girls knew better than to misbehave.
"Dear Mr. Banner,
Please contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule a meeting. There is a matter of significant importance we must discuss immediately. As I know you work during school hours, I would be happy to meet with you at 6pm tomorrow evening if you are available, Please call the school to confirm or arrange a different appointment date and time.
Cordially,
Ms. Price, Senior Guidance Counselor"
He read the letter twice, turned it over, and read it again.
"Kate!" he shouted, "What does Ms. Price want?"
She gave him a puzzled look, "I dunno daddy."
His eyes probed her, "Are you sure babycakes?"
"Yes daddy, really." she said as convincingly as she could.
"Did Ms. Price talk to you?" he asked.
"Yes, she asked me a few questions, but nothing big." she said nonchalantly.
"Questions about what Kates?" he asked.
"She asked if you spanked me, and I said 'yeah, so?' - then she asked me about the girls in the locker room - the ones who asked me about the marks on my butt. I told her about the shoplifting, and you coming to get me, giving me a spanking, and she wrote it down and said I could go." she paused, then got a funny look on her face, "I didn't do anything daddy - promise!"
He hugged her, giving her a squeeze that took her breath away.
"I know babycakes, don't worry, just trying to find out what 'Ms. Price' wants. What do you know about her?"
"Oh, she's an old maid who tells us that we have to take this or that course or we'll never get a good job, you know, a 'counselor' - I don't think anybody pays attention to her." Kate said.
"Jen!" he called.
"Yes Daddy?" she dropped the lettuce she was tearing back into the bowl, smiling.
He couldn't help but smile back, and then his expression became serious.
"What do you know about Ms. Price? Did she talk to you?" he asked.
"She's the counselor daddy," Jen said, "she asks all sorts of questions."
"Did she talk to you?"
"Yes, she called me down to her office last Thursday I think. She was asking about you spanking us. I told her 'yes, you spanked us when we deserve it.' and she just wrote it down and said I could leave. I think she was worried about my 'father' and if I was maladjusted or something." Jen made a face and laughed.
He pulled Jen close and hugged her, "You're adjusted just fine Jen-Jen. Don't let the headshrinkers mess with your mind." she laughed and went back to making salad for dinner
***
"Come in" said a female voice.
He opened the door and saw her sitting behind her desk. She wore a light grey suit that looked to be a style that was popular in the 50's. Very businesslike, but very conservative. A simple diamond stick pin decorated the lapel. Under the jacket was a starched while blouse like the students wore. It was buttoned to the neck.
She looked up at him. He felt that she was sizing him up - as she was her. The atmosphere of 2 adversaries evaluating each other was obvious. Her red hair was pulled back into a tight bun and her reading glasses had a fine gold chain hanging from the corners. Her features made it difficult for him to judge her age. Her lips were tightly pursed, giving her whole face a cold, harsh, uncompromising look. She gestured to the chair in front of her desk.
"Sit down Mr. Banner," she said with an air of superiourity.
He surveyed her office. The walls had a few tasteful pieces of art. Framed diplomas and certificates hung on the wall behind her. The desk was obsessively clean and organized. Everything was exactly where it should be, the desk accessories were neatly spaced and the only papers on the desk were in a neat manila folder centered on her desk blotter. Her nameplate read "Ms. Price, Senior Guidance Counselor."
She got straight to the point.
"Mr. Banner, the reason I've asked to you come in is because I've received a report that your daughter has been abused at home." she paused, tapping the folder in front of her "By you Mr. Banner."
Calmly, he responded, "I don't know where you received your 'report' Ms. Price, but I can tell you that it is completely without merit. Kate has not been abused at home or anywhere else for that matter."
"Mr. Banner," she explained, "one of Kate's classmates reported seeing bruises on Kate's... buttocks. I checked with several of the other girls in Kate's gym class. Every one of them confirmed that Kate had bruises." She went on, "The girls also told me that Kate even admitted that the bruises were the result of an especially severe spanking you had given her the day before."
She had a look of victory on her face as she peered over her reading glasses.
"I know you spoke to Kate and Jen - what did they tell you?" he asked.
She picked the folder off the desk and located a piece of paper with handwritten notes on it.
"Kate said," she read from her notes, "that you disciplined her by spanking her over your lap for shoplifting." She flipped a page and read further, "Kate freely admitted that you used a belt after making her remove her jeans."
She looked up at him again, as if seeking a confession.
"That's correct. Kate is my daughter and she knows that stealing is wrong. When she was caught stealing, she knew that she would be spanked for it." he answered calmly.
"It's common for abused women to think they are the ones at fault Mr. Banner." she said, still acting as if she were addressing a wayward student.
"Ms. Price," he explained evenly, "spanking is a time-tested and perfectly acceptable method of disciplining young women like Kate and her sister. I understand that on occasion it is even used at this school." he paused but got no reaction, "Did Kate say her punishment for stealing was excessive?"
"No Mr. Banner but," she began.
"You talked to Jen as well. Did she say that she thought Kate's punishment was excessive?" he drilled.
"No Mr. Banner but," she attempted to interrupt again.
"Did Kate say that she was abused or beaten or mistreated in any way?" he pressed further.
"Well, no Mr. Banner but...." she struggled to get in a word edgewise.
"Ms. Price - you know that Jen's father DID beat and assault her. Has she said that she has been mistreated under my guardianship?" he demanded.
"No Mr. Banner but....." she seemed out of ammunition.
"But what Ms. Price?" he sat back in the chair, sensing that she knew she was no longer in charge of their meeting.
"Mr. Banner," she began, seeming to become nervous and struggling for words, "As educators, we must be especially vigilant of our students. I received a report from another student, and I was obligated to look into it and report my findings to the proper authorities if I found evidence of abuse." she looked very nervous now.
"And have you found evidence of abuse Ms. Price." he asked.
"Mr. Banner," she sighed, putting down her file, "both of your daughters had only the highest praise for your methods. Kate said she had been spanked many times - but only as appropriate for her behavior. Jen said that she'd only been spanked once by you, and that it was also commensurate to her behaviour." she twiddled her pen and looked as though she wanted to say more.
"So you'll be reporting that there is no abuse then, correct?" he asked, seeking closure.
"Mr. Banner, even though Kate and Jen are satisfied that you are disciplining them properly, and granted, they are both well-behaved and well-adjusted young women. This is especially amazing considering Jen's history."
"But?" he said, sensing something more was afoot.
"But I have to make the call based on what I've learned here and what I see of your methods first-hand." she seemed to be shaking slightly.
"What you see first hand? Ms. Price, surely you're not proposing I spank one of my daughters so that you can watch and grade my technique?" he asked incredulously.
"Of course not Mr. Banner, that would hardly be fair to spank one of your daughters when it is I who needs the demonstration." she paused, looking into his eyes to see if he took her hint.
"I see," he said, sitting back again, he paused. "Then I suppose the only thing to do would be to 'demonstrate' on you Ms. Price? As my daughter would experience it?"
"Yes Mr. Banner," she said nervously and shifting in her chair, "I believe that would give me the data I need to make a final decision."
He cleared his throat, "Then I suppose I'd better give you the 'data' you need to make your decision. You understand that spankings hurt Ms. Price? And that you would have to tell me what offense I was to spank you for - so I would know how harshly I needed to spank you?" he eyed her, waiting for her answers.
"Of course I realize spankings hurt Mr. Banner. As for the offense, let's say that Kate was caught shoplifting a second time. Please use that as your indicator of how intense the spanking should be."
"Ms. Price. You know that Kate got those bruises from the spanking I gave her for stealing the first time. The spanking for stealing a second time would be considerably longer and harder. Are you sure you want to experience that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh Yes, Mr. Banner!" she stopped herself, "I mean yes Mr. Banner - I believe that would be more than sufficient." she nervously, but unable conceal a nervous smile.
"Very will Ms. Price. That's what you shall receive then, but I must warn you that once we start, nothing you say or do will make me stop until I have given you the same spanking I would give Kates should she be foolish enough to steal again. You understand, right?"
"Yes Mr. Banner, I understand."
"And you also understand that since you will be evaluating my methods for 'abuse' that I intend to give you exactly what I would give Kate in this situation?" he looked at her seriously, "That is, I will not 'scale it back' or make this a token spanking, understood?"
"Yes Mr. Banner, I understand that as well." she said, voice trembling now.
