Maggie, at nineteen and still living at home with her aunt and uncle, was used to being unfairly punished, but this time was different. Uncle Jim and Auntie D had decided to make an example out of her.
Her cousins looked on as Auntie D gripped her by the arm and dragged her towards the shed. Paul smirked at her as she looked back at him, but little Jimmy looked frightened.
"Please, Auntie D," she begged, "I didn't do it!"
"I have had enough of your back talk. You have to learn to mind, girl." She gripped Maggie's arm tightly, and pushed her into the gloomy shed.
Uncle Jim was waiting for her. He'd rolled up his shirt sleeves and had Mister Pete sitting at his feet. Mister Pete was ordinarily a quiet and polite farm hand, but when Uncle Jim needed him to help discipline Maggie, Mister Pete was frightening.
He was tall and skinny and quiet. He never said a word during punishments. Sometimes Uncle Jim just made him watch. But he always dressed up in a black rubber suit that fit him snugly from head to toe. It had to be stiflingly hot, but Mister Pete never complained. Uncle Jim patted him affectionately on the head.
"Put her over the table, ma." He told Auntie D.
Auntie pushed Maggie over the table so that she fell, leaving her bottom up in the air. Uncle Jim stood up slowly, and lit a cigarette before walking over. Maggie stared up at him in terror. Almost lazily, he tied her to the table, making sure her wrists and waist were secure. He knelt down beside her and secured her knees to the legs of the table.
"Ma, pull down her pants."
"No!" Maggie begged, twisting against her bonds. She knew she was in for a spanking and it was humiliating every time.
"It'll go worse for you if you fight, girl." Uncle told her quietly.
"Please..." she said softly. "Please..."
Auntie D reached around her and undid her jeans, yanking them to the floor. She stood bent over the table in only her underwear and her shirt.