DSP-- Lizzie: Happy Birthday

My birthday was coming up soon. I was so excited. We were gonna have a big party. Well not such a big party. But Lin and Uncle Dom were gonna invite some of their friends and I was gonna invite some of my friends. And we was gonna invite some family. I couldn't wait.

I was turning 7 in just a week. I was a little scared about turning 7. After all, I'd been 6 for almost a whole year now. 6 is a good age. It's still little, but not a baby. You still get cuddled when you're 6. You get tucked in, and you get big splashy bubble baths. I was afraid all that would end when I turned 7.

A lot of good things happened when I was 6, too. Dominic came around and he became my uncle. And I met Aunt La-La, and Debbie, too. And now Uncle Dom and my sister was gonna get married. Course, I was gonna be 7 when that happens. Their wedding is coming up soon, too. When they get married, I won't be in first grade no more.

I's gonna be a big girl and go to second grade when the summer ends. I won't have Mrs. Foxxe anymore cuz she has to stay in first grade. There are three second-grade teachers. I hope I get a nice one.

One night while Lin was tucking me in, I told her about my fears. "Lin?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"I's a little scared about turning 7."

"Why's that?" she asked me. "7 is a great age."

"Well, I like being 6."

7 is cool, too."

"It is?" I asked.

"Sure. You might not even notice a difference," she told me.

"Well, will you and Uncle Dom still cuddle me? And give me bubble baths? And tuck me in at night?"

Lin smiled as she tucked my covers in around me. "Oh, of course, lilone, always, even when you're sixteen and don't want us too, anymore."

I giggled picturing Melinda and Uncle Dom tucking me in when I's a teenager.

"You'll keep getting bigger and bigger and older and older, but you know what, Lizzie?"

"What?"

"You'll always be Uncle Dom's and my little girl."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yep, really."

"Forever?" I asked.

"And ever," Lin told me, tucking in my stuffed animals with me and kissing me on my forehead.

"I loves you, Lin."

"I love you, too. Now you go to sleep and dream happy dreams."

Melinda got up and tiptoed to my door. She turned out the big light and left the little night light on.

"Lin?"

"Yes, Lizzie?"

"Can I still have a nightlight when I's 7?"

"Yes, sweetie."

"You's the best big sister ever," I told her.

She smiled. I could tell even in the dark room. "Well, that's only cuz you are the best little sister ever."

I smiled, too, and drifted off to sleep.

The next day was Saturday and we had all kinds of chores to do. Uncle Dom mowed the lawn, Lin pulled up weeds, and I cleaned my room. In the afternoon, we went to the party store and picked out tablecloths, napkins, plates, and cups. I got a doggie theme. I loved dogs and hoped some day to have one. Right now, though, Uncle Dom said no pets.

That night we rented a movie after dinner. I sat in a chair in the living room. It was so quiet in the house. Debbie had gone back to boarding school. She had only been here three weeks, but I really missed her. She was going to miss my party. I was really bummed about that. But Uncle Dom said she would be back in time for the wedding, and then would spend most of the summer with us.

"Lin? Can we make popcorn?"

"Sure, we can do that."

"Can I do it?"

"Well, you can put it in and push the buttons. But I will take it out when it's ready, because it will be very hot."

"Okay," I said.

"Did somebody say popcorn? I love popcorn," Uncle said coming into the room. I put the bag in and set it for popcorn. It started to pop and I watched it.

"Yeah, we's making popcorn, Uncle Dom!" I told him. "And I got to push the button."

"Wow!" he said, smiling.

Just then we heard the microwave beep and Lin took the popcorn out and dumped it into a big bowl. "Here, Lizzie, you can carry this out to the living room. Just be careful."

"Okay," I said.

"Come on, Lizzie, let's go start the movie," Uncle Dom said, reaching out for my hand.

I took his hand and let him lead me into the living room. He sat down in his favorite chair. I put the bowl of popcorn on the table, and just looked up at Uncle's lap.

He smiled and patted his lap. I climbed up and put my arms around his neck and squeezed it tight. "Acccck!" he said. "You're making my neck flat."

I giggled. "You's silly, Uncle."

"Yes, I am. So someone's having a birthday soon, huh? You're getting to be quite a big girl, Elizabeth."

"Uncle Dom?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Lin says that even though I's turning 7, I'll still be yours and hers lil girl."

"That's true."

I smiled real big and hugged Uncle Dom again real tight. Somehow I had thought maybe Uncle Dom would say I wouldn't be, but he did, and I was happy.

Lin came in then and started the movie. We had rented "Snow Dogs". It was my idea. Like I said, I loved dogs. Lin and Uncle Dom had rented another movie for when I went to sleep, but I didn't know the name of it.

"Mmmmm, that popcorn smells good," Uncle Dom said, reaching for the bowl. He put it in my lap and I took a great big handful and stuffed it into my mouth. I liked sitting on Uncle's lap. I sat and watched the movie and snuggled and ate popcorn.

Everything was good right then. I had been behaving all week, trying not to make Uncle Dom or Melinda mad. I didn't want them to cancel my party. But something happens when I start to get real tired, I become cranky and impossible. It isn't something I plan to do, but it always seems to happen.

The movie was almost over, and I was getting sleepy. I looked up at the clock and it was past my bedtime but I didn't say anything. I guessed my sister and uncle were letting me stay up later to watch the movie. I tried not to yawn, but one slipped out anyway.

My sister looked at me. "Was that a yawn?"

"NO!" I said a little too loudly. But one look from Uncle Dom and I immediately changed my voice. "I mean, no."

"Sure looked like one," Lin said.

"Sure did," Uncle Dom said.

"It wasn't. My brain just not getting enough oxygen," I said as another yawn slipped out. Those darn yawns!

Melinda looked at Uncle Dom. "Now that looked like a yawn to me."

Uncle nodded. "I think someone needs to get ready for bed."

I shook my head. "I not wanna. The movie not over yet and I not done with my popcorn," I whined, reaching for a big handful of popcorn. "And I's thirsty!"

"I'll get you some water and then it's up to bed for you. You can finish the movie in the morning," my sister told me.

I didn't like that idea at all. "I not want water, I want soda."

But Uncle shook his head. "No soda."

"You can have some juice. But just one little glass. We don't want any accidents."

I scrunched up my nose at that. I never had accidents. Well almost never. I sighed and waited for Melinda to bring me the juice.

I took a sip and then reached for another handful of popcorn. "Okay, enough popcorn," she told me.

"No, I want more!" I said reaching for the bowl.

Lin raised her eyebrows at me. "What happened the other day when you told me no?"

I thought back to a few days before. She had told me something and I had said no, and she had...

"You smacked me," I whispered.

"Yes, I did," she said. "Now no more popcorn because it will just make you more thirsty and this is all the juice you are getting."

I looked up at Uncle Dominic and he just nodded. "You listen to your sister," he told me. He stood up then and placed me on the floor. He excused himself to go to the bathroom.

I just stood there and stared at my sister. I looked at her and then over at the bowl of popcorn sitting on the table.

"No, Lizzie!" she said.

"I DIDN'T!" I shouted, whining.

"I know you didn't, and I'm making sure you don't," Lin told me. "Now lower your voice, young lady."

"I HATE WHEN YOU DOES THAT!" I shouted. I finished my juice and set it on the table. I was kind of mad by this point, so I purposely knocked the bowl of popcorn to the floor.

Melinda just looked at me. "You pick up that popcorn right now, little sister, and don't you dare eat one piece."

I crossed my arms and said, "NO!"

Very calmly Melinda pulled me over to her and made me face her. "You are to pick up that popcorn right NOW. I know a little girl who is going to bed with a sore bottom."

"Noooooo!" I ran over to the bowl and started picking up the pieces of popcorn. I resisted throwing them at my sister because I knew she would not like that.

"Let's go, it's time for you to get ready for bed," my sister said.

I bit my lip. "Am I in trouble?" I asked.

"What do you think?" she asked me. I nodded slowly. I didn't want to be in trouble. I was feeling real mad then. I set the bowl of popcorn back up on the table and turned to look at my sister.

"But I does hate when you do that, Lin," I said, crossing my arms again.

Lin raised her eyebrows and looked at me. "Do you want two spankings, Elizabeth? One from your uncle and one from me?"

That was it. It was the last straw. I just felt so angry. I kicked the table that had the bowl of popcorn on it and the popcorn went flying. My mouth dropped open because I didn't know that would happen. I looked at my sister and said, "UH OH."

My sister grabbed me, turned me around and started smacking my bottom. {SMACK! SMACK!} {SMACK! SMACK!} {SMACK! SMACK!}

"Owwwwwwwwww!" I cried, pushing away from her when she stopped.

"You get to your room right now!" she scolded.

"I not wanna!" I yelled.

"NOW!" my uncle's voice boomed. I turned just in time to see him coming back from the bathroom. I jumped really high.

"Go!" my sister said firmly, pointing towards my room.

I looked at the two of them. Neither of them looked very happy. I stomped down the hall to my room and even though I knew this would only get me in further trouble, I slammed that door shut behind me. {SLAM!}

I flopped down on my bed, and cried. I shoulda just went to bed when I first felt tired. Now I'd be getting a spanking. And maybe they would cancel my party. I think that's what really worried me. I picked up all my animals and threw them down to the floor, one by one.

I heard my door open and turned to look. It wasn't Melinda, but Uncle Dominic. I wasn't sure that was a good thing. He came into my room, closed the door, and sat down on the edge of my bed.

"Did you have a good time doing that?"

I was crying hard, but managed to look up at him and said, "Doing what?"

"Kicking the popcorn all over the floor."

I guessed Melinda had told him what I had done. "The second time was a axident, sir," I told him. "I was feeling mad and kicked the table."

"And stomping down the hall and slamming your door?" he asked.

I nodded. "That, too," I said quietly.

"Why were you so mad?"

"Just cuz."

"Cuz why?"

I sniffled and looked up at Uncle Dominic. "Lin always do that. She tells me not to do something before I do it, and it makes me mad."

"I see. So you get mad because she knows you so well?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"How 'bout when you know what I'm going to do?" he asked.

I looked at my uncle again. "I don't wanna spankin!" I said.

"Did you get ready for bed yet?"

I shook my head. "No, sir, I was too busy throwing a tantrum," I said, looking at the animals all over the floor.

"Yes, I see that," Uncle said. "Well, go do it now."

I sighed and headed for the bathroom. I went potty, flushed, washed my hands and face, and brushed my teeth. I put my clothes in the hamper and walked slowly back to my room.

"Uncle Dom? I don't want a spanking," I said, looking up at him, with the sad puppy dog eyes.

He looked down at me and said sadly, "Well, it's too late for that 'cause you're getting one."

I put my head in his lap and cried. He held me for a minute but then pulled me up and over his lap. I was already so sad.

He pulled down my panties and raised his hand. "I won't allow you to act that way or to talk to your sister like that, Elizabeth."
{Ssssspank! Swatttt!} {Ssssspank! Swatttt!} {Ssssspank! Swatttt!}

I was crying hard and kicking my feet. "Owwww!" I cried.

"And I also don't care for you tossing your animals around like that," Uncle said, continuing to spank me.

{Ssssspank! Swatttt!} {Ssssspank! Swatttt!} {Ssssspank! Swatttt!}

"Owwwwww, yesssssirrrr!"

"That's {Spank!} not {Spank!} how {Spank!} a big girl {Spank!} who's almost {Spank!} 7 acts," he said, punctuating each word with a hard {SWAT!}

{Ssssspank! Swatttt!} {Ssssspank! Swatttt!} {Ssssspank! Swatttt!}

I was already feeling pretty sorry for myself and was crying real hard. "Owwwwieeee! I's sorrrrry, sir!" I cried again.

Finally Uncle Dom pulled me up and onto his lap. He cuddled me tight as I cried against his chest. He rocked me in his arms and rubbed my back.

"I'sssss sorrrrry!" I said again, sobbing.

"I know, sweetie," Uncle Dom cooed. He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek so that I knew I was forgiven.

"I'm baaaaad!" I said.

"No, but sometimes you do bad things," Uncle corrected me.

"Real bad things," I said.

"No, not too bad."

"VERY BAD," I said, sobbing.

"Not too bad that you can't be forgiven," Uncle Dom said softly. He continued rocking me as I held on for dear life. I didn't know why I sometimes got to the point of being so naughty. Then I was so sorry afterward, and I was lucky that my uncle forgave me.

Uncle Dom kissed the tip of my nose. "Do you feel better now?"

I nodded. "A lil, sir. But don't let go."

"I never will," Uncle said, holding me tighter.

"Uncle Dom? Do you still loves me?"

"Of course I do."

"Forever?"

"And ever."

"Can I go say sorry to Lin?"

"I'll get her to come here. I want you in bed," Uncle said, slipping my nightshirt over my head. He handed me my panties as he went to get my sister.

I stuffed them under my pillow. I didn't want to put them on. I tried to wipe at the tears that were still falling as Melinda walked into my room. She sat down on the edge of my bed. I was under the covers, lying on my side.

"Lin? I's sorry I said no to you and I's sorry I knocked over the popcorn and threw a tantrum," I said softly.

Melinda nodded and opened up her arms. I let her hold me and hug me tight. I cried on her shoulder. Even though I'd been punished and forgiven by my uncle, I still needed her forgiveness. I felt just terrible.

"Do you still loves me, Lin?"

"You know I do, sweetie. It's okay to be angry with me about something...but it's not okay to act the way you did."

"Yes, ma'am," I said, hanging my head.

She lifted my chin and smiled into my face. "Come on, now, it's time for bed. Tomorrow we'll work on your party, okay?"

I smiled for the first time in what seemed like years. I guessed it didn't matter how naughty I had been; they weren't canceling my party. Both Melinda and Uncle Dom tucked me in. I hugged them both and gave both of them butterfly kisses.

"Mmmmmmm!" Uncle Dom said.

"I's sorry I was naughty, Uncle," I said again.

"It's okay. You've been punished and forgiven and I know you won't act like that again. Will you?"

"No, sir," I said, hugging him again. "I love you, Uncle."

"I love you, too, sweetie," Uncle Dom said, kissing my forehead. He stooped down and picked up my animals and one by one placed them under the blankets with me.

"I like these animals, but I sure would like a real pet," I hinted. But Uncle just shook his head no. I didn't want to push it, so I just shut up and went to sleep.

Well, I didn't get any real animals for my birthday, but I sure got a lot of other great things. Debbie sent me a kite that she made at school. She had hand-painted turtles on it. She had a turtle at school and she said that when she came home for the summer, I could help her take care of it. I couldn't wait.

Aunt La-La was at the party, too. She gave me a wind-rider. It's this really cool kite thingie that has a platform and you can ride it. She told me it would be good at the beach when it's real windy but I could only do it with a grown-up.

I got some other neat stuff too. My friends, Julie Ann and Patty gave me a skip-it. It's this cool thing, kinda like a jumprope but you hold one end and jump around in a ring. And they also bought me a miniature trampoline. That was one of my coolest presents. Their daddy bringed it over. It's good cuz on account of I can't jump on the furniture.

What else did I get? Let's see. I got a rainbow kite, some coloring books, and crayons, a bookmark with an angel pin, and a beautiful ankle bracelet with my initials engraved in it. I also got a new hairbrush; hopefully this one would only be for brushing my hair.

One of Uncle Dom's other brothers, Uncle Jack, gave me a motorized scooter. I would never have to walk anywhere again. I also got a stuffed giraffe. I named him Geoffrey after the one from Toys R Us. He was really cute, but I just had no idea where he was gonna sleep. Soon there would be no room in my bed for ME.

From my little boyfriend, Peter, I got a ring with emeralds on it. It was so pretty. I put it on right away and showed it off to everyone. My friends giggled and said now we was married, but Uncle Dom said, "No Way!" Peter also gave me a parachute. It's really neat. When he saw my giraffe, he said I could use it to hold my stuffed animals. I had gotten some really cool gifts.

But my best presents of all came from my sister and Uncle Dom. I really cried when Lin handed me the little box. I opened it and saw the most beautiful heart locket ever. And inside the locket were pictures of Lin and Uncle Dom. They said when I wore it; they would always be with me.

It was so beautiful and I thought that was it, but it wasn't. I couldn't believe it when Uncle Dom rolled in the big blue three-speed bicycle. It had one of them bells on the side that when you ring it, it sounds like the ice cream man. It still had training wheels on it, but Uncle promised to teach me how to ride. I couldn't wait. I got a matching blue helmet, too.

All in all, I had had a great birthday. Maybe being 7 wasn't going to be so bad after all.