DSP-- Story: The Halloween Caper

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and Uncle Ben was taking the girls to get their Halloween costumes. They only had a week until Halloween and they both knew just what they wanted to be. As they drove downtown, Susie chattered on and on in the back seat.

"Uncle, me is ever so excited. Me wants to be a fairy princess. Me will need new shoes, and a wand, and we got to find the perfect costume," said Susie. She bounced up and down in her seat clapping.

Uncle Ben smiled at Susie and her enthusiasm. "Susie girl, calm down. I am sure we will find just the right costume. I guarantee that you will be my perfect fairy princess, baby girl."

Robin rolled her eyes in the front seat and Uncle Ben raised an eyebrow. "Don't you say one word, little girl. She is just very excited, and you need to support your sister," said Uncle Ben.

"I know, Uncle Ben," said Robin. "Susie, you will make an awesome fairy princess!"

Robin smiled at Uncle Ben, and he smiled back at Robin. "Good girl," said Uncle Ben, "Now, what would you like to be for Halloween?"

"Well… I was thinking about being Scooby Doo, but I don't want one of those dumb costumes from Walmart. I want to look like he does on the cartoon," said Robin.

"I think you will make a great Scooby Doo, Robin," said Uncle Ben. "I know just the place to get you a costume, and I imagine they will have Susie's too."

Uncle Ben drove to a rather small building on the far side of town. It didn't look like much on the outside, but Ben knew looks were deceiving. He pulled up, parked, and got out. He looked at the girls sitting in the van.

"Are you two going to get out?" said Uncle Ben.

Susie unhooked her belt and jumped out. "Sure me is, Uncle Ben. Why are we stopped here? When are we going to get my fairy princess costume?" asked Susie.

Robin was wondering the same thing, however, she stayed quiet and just got out of the van.

Uncle Ben chuckled, picked Susie up in one arm, took Robin's hand, and walked with the girls inside. "We are going to get your costumes right here, baby girl," said Uncle Ben.

They walked through the door and into another world. The walls were covered with movie posters. There were stand up billboards with every character imaginable, and even a few costumes on mannequins.

Susie squealed, "Uncle, Uncle, right there it is!! That is the fairy princess me wants to be!" Susie almost fell out of his arms as she pointed to a poster of
Cinderella. She wiggled and squirmed in Uncle Ben's arms. He had to hold onto her tight to keep from dropping her.

"Susie, calm down, honey," he said.

Uncle Ben glanced down at Robin. She was standing beside him, mouth open, eyes darting from one thing to the next. He walked toward the counter, and pulled her along.

"Uncle Ben? What is this place?" asked Robin.

"It is a production company a friend of mine runs," said Uncle Ben. "He has every thing imaginable around here, and a catalog to order costumes that correlate to different movies."

Just then a little man stepped out of the back. "Well if it isn't my old friend, Ben Gilbert," said John Martin. "I haven't seen you for years. How the heck are you?"

"I am doing very well, thank you," said Ben. "I have come on a quest though. You see, I care for my nieces now, and we are looking for just the right costumes for Halloween. Do you think you can help us out?"

John smiled at Ben. "I think we can manage that," he said. He reached under the counter and brought out a book. "This is the newest costume catalog I have. What kind of costumes are we looking for?"

John looked at Susie, and she hid her head suddenly very shy. Uncle Ben chuckled. "Well this little girl wants to be Cinderella. I believe she will need a size 5, with a size 12 shoe," said Uncle Ben.

"Cinderella, you say," said John. "Well let me see what we can do." He flipped through the catalog and came to the page with the Cinderella movie. "I do believe I found what you want." John showed Ben the costume. "How does this look?"

"I think you have found the right one, John. Susie, honey, is that what you want?" asked Uncle Ben.

Susie nodded her head but held tightly to Uncle Ben. "I guess that is a yes, John. Now we have one more to pick out," said Ben.

Robin was watching in fascination as John flipped through the book. "Mr. John, does that have every movie in the whole world in it?" asked Robin.

"Well, pretty much, Robin. What do you want to be for Halloween?" asked John.

"I want to be Scooby Doo," said Robin. "Do you have him in your book?"

John flipped through the book. "How about right here, Robin. Is this what you had in mind?" he asked.

Robin started jumping up and down. "Uncle Ben look, just look at that costume. It looks just like Scooby Doo. Nobody else will have a costume like mine," she said. "Please may I have it, Uncle? Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

"Well, John, I do believe you are the hit of the land. Robin needs a size 10. It will be a bit big, but an 8 would almost be too small." said Ben. "Will you order those for me and put a rush delivery on them?"

"I sure will, Ben. They should be at your house by Tuesday at the latest," said John.

"Many thanks, John. You need to stop by and have dinner with us sometime. We have a lot we could reminisce and talk about," said Ben.

"I will try and do that," said John.

Ben left with the two girls. After they stepped out of the store, Susie started to bounce up and down in Uncle Ben's arms.

"Did you see it, Uncle Ben?" asked Susie. "Me will be the prettiest girl to ever be Cinderella."

"Yes, you will, baby girl. Which reminds me; I need to get some tapes for my camcorder. I don't want to miss one thing," said Uncle Ben.

He took the girls to McDonalds for lunch, and then headed home. He listened to the girls chatter on about their new costumes. 'It may have been expensive, but it sure was worth it,' he thought, as he turned into the driveway.

The next week passed in a flurry. The girls' costumes came on time. They tried them on fifteen times before Halloween night. Finally the day came, and they were putting them on for their night of trick or treat. After they were ready, Uncle Ben stood at the bottom of the steps and had them walk down as he used the camcorder to get it on film.

"You two look absolutely wonderful," said Uncle Ben.

"Fanks, Uncle, me feels ever so pretty. Mrs. Hamilton did my hair just like Cinderella," said Susie.

Robin giggled and said, "rooby rooby doooooooooooooo!"

Uncle Ben smiled at Robin. "I don't think anybody will recognize you, angel girl," said Uncle Ben.

Mrs. Hamilton stood behind Ben and smiled. They did indeed look fabulous.

Susie ran over to Mrs. Hamilton. "Fanks, me loves how you did my hair," she said, and hugged Mrs. Hamilton.

Mrs. Hamilton smiled down at Susie. "You are very welcome, sweetie," she said. "I enjoyed doing it also."

"Okay, you two, into the living room for some rules," said Uncle Ben.

Robin groaned, and Uncle Ben raised his eyebrow, "Missy, would you rather stay home?" he asked.

"No, Sir," said Robin.

"Well, then, I suggest you sit down and listen," said Uncle Ben. "I will walk you through the neighborhood. Susie, I expect you to hold my hand. Robin, I expect you to stay close. No straying away; there will be just too many people. Is that clear?"

Susie nodded her head.

"Yes, Sir," said Robin. "But, Uncle, what about my party at Sammie's house at 8:30?"

"Susie and I will drop you off on our way home. When the party is over, I expect you to call me and we will come and pick you up," said Uncle Ben.

Robin smiled, cause this was going to be the best Halloween ever. "No problem, Uncle Ben; I promise I will call."

Uncle Ben, Robin, and Susie walked around the neighborhood knocking at doors, and saying 'trick or treat'. By the time 8:30 rolled around both girls had a huge bag of candy, and Uncle Ben was carrying Susie, who had fallen asleep in his arms. He dropped Robin off at Sammie's house. "Remember to mind your manners, Robin, follow the rules, and call me when it is time to come home," said Uncle Ben.

Robin was nodding as Sammie pulled her into the house yelling, and giggling.

Uncle Ben took Susie home, changed her, and put her to bed. Mrs. Hamilton was going to watch her when he picked Robin up later. He relaxed and read a book.

Meanwhile, back at Sammie's house, the girls were laughing and having fun. Sammie's Uncle Steve had the basement all fixed up. He had streamers and decorations, spooky music, food, and games. The girls bobbed for apples, played Stick the teeth on the Dracula, and a bunch of other games.

Steve came downstairs and had the girls sit down at the table. He gave them all some refreshments.

"Is everybody having a good time?" Uncle Steve asked. He was Sammie's uncle, but everybody called him 'Uncle Steve'.

There were dozens of answers, all positive, and loud. "Well, I sure am glad," said Uncle Steve. "I want you kids to sit here and eat your snacks while I go up and make a phone call. When I get back down we can play some more games."

Sammie ran up and gave her uncle a big hug. "You're the best, Uncle Steve, I love you," she said.

Uncle Steve smiled and headed upstairs to make his call.

The girls all sat around the table talking and giggling. Robin looked at Sammie and she looked back.

"What is Halloween without a dare?" asked Robin. She started to giggle.

"What ya got in mind, Robin?" asked Sammie.

"I dare you to get some eggs and throw them at the neighbor's house," said Robin.

Sammie didn't even hesitate. "Okay," said Sammie. Then she added, "but you have to do it, too."

Robin nodded. Sammie whispered to her other friends, "We'll be right back," and the two girls tiptoed upstairs. Robin pointed to the refrigerator, and Sammie grabbed 6 eggs and handed 3 of them to Robin. They went over to the sliding glass door and snuck outside.

"Wow! This is so cool, Robin," said Sammie. She giggled and ran for the neighbor's house.

Robin followed Sammie, laughing and giggling. "Yeah, Sammie, this sure is an adventure," said Robin.

As they ran across the yard, Sammie looked in the window to the den. She could see Uncle Steve on the phone. 'He will never know we were gone' she thought to herself. Robin started throwing her eggs and Sammie followed. The last egg Robin threw hit the window. The light on the back porch came on and Mr. Jones started out of the house. Sammie grabbed Robin and pulled her to the alley.

"Come on, Robin, we can go this way and he won't see us," whispered Sammie.

Robin nodded and the girls took off running down the alley to the corner. They could hear Mr. Jones yelling at their backs.

"We sure are lucky we have on costumes. Mr. Jones will never figure out it was us," giggled Robin.

"Hey, you're right, Robin," laughed Sammie.

The girls came out on the next block and looked down the street. There were still kids out trick or treating.

"Let's go to the next block and trick or treat some more, Sammie. I didn't get to go over there," said Robin. She started to cross the street. "Are you coming, or not?"

"Okay, but we can't be gone long," stated Sammie, looking back at her house and her uncle in the den. Yet, she ran and caught up with Robin.

The girls were having a marvelous time. They each had another bag of candy full, and they chattered back and forth laughing and giggling.

Unbeknown to the girls, Sammie's uncle had heard the commotion outside. He walked out the back door. "Anything wrong, George?" asked Steve.

"Some Halloween prankster just egged my house, and even got the window. I hope it doesn't eat any of the paint off," said George Jones.

"I hope it doesn't either," said Steve and walked back in the house. 'Well time for more games' he thought and headed down the basement. "Okay, kids, time for some more games," said Uncle Steve.

Uncle Steve looked around for Sammie so she could help set things up and noticed she wasn't there. "Has anyone seen Sammie?" he asked. One of the kids yelled she had seen Sammie and Robin head upstairs. Then another one said, "She said she'd be right back, but that was a while ago, sir."

"I will be right back, kids. Why don't you move the chairs to the middle of the room while I go find them?" said Uncle Steve, thinking they were up in Sammie's room telling secrets. Even though Sammie and Robin were far apart in age, they were very close.

He walked upstairs and yelled for Sammie and Robin. When they didn't answer, he began to look for them. Upon realizing they were no longer in the house, he became frantic. It was dark outside, they were alone, and there were still dozens of kids roaming the streets. Immediately he called Ben Gilbert.

"Ben, this is Steve. We have a problem. It seems that Sammie and Robin decided to go out by themselves. I am not sure where they are," stated Steve. "As soon as I can get these other kids home, I will go look. Meantime, would you start looking? Those girls could be anywhere by now."

Steve hung up and made sure the other children got home safely. He got in his car and started driving up and down the street looking for Clifford the Big Red Dog and Scooby Doo. He knew two girls who were both going to be red before the night was over.

Ben called Mrs. Hamilton to keep an eye on Susie, and jumped in the van. 'I cannot believe Robin pulled this stunt. When I find her she is going to wish she never heard of Halloween,' he thought. He drove up and down, block after block looking for the girls. As the time passed, he became more frantic. 'Please let them be okay' he thought. As he turned the next corner he saw them. They were just walking down the sidewalk from a house, laughing and having the time of their life.

Robin and Sammie were coming from a lady's house laughing and giggling. Just as they reached the sidewalk, Robin stopped dead in her tracks. Sammie looked up at her puzzled.

"What's wrong, Robin?" asked Sammie.

Robin gulped and pointed to her Uncle's van. "We are in big trouble, Sammie," she said.

Sammie turned to see her best friend's uncle's van and froze. "Uh oh!"

Ben realized Robin had seen him when she stopped and pointed to the van. He pulled over to the curb, jumped out and ran to the girls. He hugged them to him tightly.

"Where have you two girls been? Steve and I have been driving around looking for you!" shouted Uncle Ben.

He grabbed both girls by the arms, and started walking them to the van. They were almost running to keep up. "Do you know how worried we were? We didn't know where you were, or if you were safe!" yelled Uncle Ben.

Robin and Sammie had both started to cry. Uncle Ben had seemed so happy to see them at first, but now he was very angry. He walked both girls to the van.

"You are both in big trouble," said Uncle Ben.

He grabbed Sammie around the waist, bent her over and began to swat her over her clothes.

{SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK}

"Owieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" cried Sammie.

Just as quickly he let her go, grabbed Robin by the waist and bent her over.

{SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK}

"Ow, Ow, Owieeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Uncleeeeee!" cried Robin.

"Just wait till you get home, young lady," said Uncle Ben.

Sammie couldn't believe this was happening as she cried and rubbed her bottom. If Mr. Ben was this angry, her Uncle Steve was bound to be.

"Into the van. Both of you, NOW!" growled Uncle Ben.

They both climbed in crying and hooked their seat belts. Uncle Ben got in the front and started for Sammie's house. As he got to Sammie's street, he saw Sammie's Uncle Steve. He waved him down and stopped the van. Uncle Steve saw Sammie in the van and stopped, too. Both men got out and talked together. Sammie could see the grim look on her Uncle's face.

"Robin, I's in big trouble," said Sammie.

"Me too, Sammie. Guess it wasn't such a good idea," said Robin.

Uncle Steve opened the door to the van, unhooked Sammie's seatbelt, and picked her up out of the van. He shut the door.

"Little girl, you are in big trouble," said Uncle Steve. He was so calm; it was scary. He put Sammie in the car, hooked her seat belt, and then shut the door.

Sammie started to cry and waved at Robin as her Uncle Steve headed for home.

Robin cried quietly in the back, as she watched Uncle Ben get in the van and head for home, too. Every so often she would see him look at her in the rear view mirror. She knew when they got home she was in big trouble. The swats she got on the sidewalk really didn't hurt, but she knew it wasn't over.

Uncle Ben glanced every so often at his niece. He was trying to calm down, and by the time they reached home, he knew he could deal with her. Uncle Ben didn't even give her a chance to unhook her seatbelt and get out. He did everything for her and lifted her out of the van. He walked Robin on her tiptoes into the house, and stood her in a corner of the living room.

"Don't you move," stated Uncle Ben.

Robin stood as still as a mouse. She was afraid to make him angrier.

Ben walked Mrs. Hamilton out, thanked her for watching Susie, and let her know he would talk to her later. He walked to his room, got the paddle from the nightstand by his bed, and walked back downstairs. He went to his chair and sat down, laying the paddle on the end table.

"Young lady, come here," said Uncle Ben.

Robin turned slowly and walked over to her Uncle. He reached out and pulled her between his knees. She looked at Uncle Ben and started to cry again.

"I am very disappointed in you, young lady. I cannot believe you pulled this little caper. Are you allowed out at night without an adult?" asked Uncle Ben.

Robin shook her head, and whispered, "No, Sir."

"Is Sammie allowed out at night, alone?" asked Uncle Ben.

"No, Uncle," said Robin.

"What did I tell you when I dropped you off?" asked Uncle Ben.

"To follow the rules, and mind my manners," stated Robin.

"Is that what you and Sammie did tonight?" Uncle Ben asked.

"No, Sir," said Robin.

"Do you know how scared both of us were?" asked Uncle Ben. "We had no idea where you were. You could have been stolen or hurt, little girl."

Robin hadn't thought of that, or how worried they might be.

"I'm sorry, Uncleeeeeeee," cried Robin. "I guess I didn't think about that."

"No, I guess you didn't. I am sure when I am through you will have something to help you remember," stated Uncle Ben.

He reached up and unzipped Robin's costume. "Step out," said Uncle Ben.

Robin stepped out and stood facing her Uncle in her t-shirt and panties.

"I am going to make sure I get to the seat of this problem," said Uncle Ben.

Just as he reached to flip Robin over his lap, the phone rang. He reached beside him and answered it. He listened for a few minutes, then looked at Robin.

"Thanks Steve, I am very glad you told me. Yes, we will be there at 10 tomorrow morning," stated Ben. He hung the phone up.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me, Robin, before I spank your bottom?" questioned Uncle Ben.

Robin stood looking at her uncle and wringing her hands. She knew somehow that Sammie's uncle had found out about the eggs. This had gone from a great evening to one that she never wanted again.

"Well… um…yes, I guess I do, Uncle," said Robin. "See? Uh, Sammie and I wanted to do a trick. You know since we say 'trick or treat' we wanted to do the trick part." Robin gulped and continued, "So we got some eggs out of her uncle's refrigerator, and…" Robin paused, then finished whispering, "egged Mr. Jones' house."

Uncle Ben nodded and flipped Robin over his lap. He pulled Robin's panties off, adjusted her, so her sit spots were very accessible, and began to spank her very hard.

{SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK}

{SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK}

"Owieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, ow, ow, owieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" cried Robin.

{SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK}

{SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK} {SMACK}

"Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, owieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh," cried Robin. She wiggled and squirmed trying to get away from her uncle's hand.

Uncle Ben pulled her in tighter around the waste and continued to spank her very hard.

"Don't {SMACK} you {SMACK} ever {SMACK} go {SMACK} outside {SMACK} at {SMACK} night {SMACK} alone {SMACK} again! {SMACK} When {SMACK} I {SMACK} tell {SMACK} you {SMACK} to {SMACK} behave, {SMACK} and {SMACK} follow {SMACK} the {SMACK} rules, {SMACK} that {SMACK} is {SMACK} just {SMACK} what {SMACK} you {SMACK} better {SMACK} do. {SMACK} Don't {SMACK} you {SMACK} ever {SMACK} destroy {SMACK} someone's {SMACK} property {SMACK} again. {SMACK} Do {SMACK} you {SMACK} understand {SMACK} me?"

Robin kicked and wriggled and cried. "Okkkkkkkayyyyyyyyy, Uncleeeeeeeeeeee," sobbed Robin.

Uncle Ben looked at Robin's very red bottom, as he picked up the paddle. He took a deep breath and forced himself to go on. He rubbed the paddle across her bottom as he talked to her.

"Don't you ever do this again. It would kill me if something happened to you, Robin. I am going to make sure this lesson sinks in," said Uncle Ben, and began to paddle her bottom.

{WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK}

Robin screamed out as the paddle landed again and again. "Yeowieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, it hurtsssssssssssssssss, wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, owieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

"The last four, missy," said Uncle Ben, as he aimed for her sit spots.

{WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK} {WHACK}.

Robin lay limp and sobbing hard over her Uncle's lap.
Uncle Ben rubbed her back, and bottom softly and let her cry for a long time. He finally picked her up and cradled her in his arms, whispering endearments to her. Robin clung to him, and buried her face in his shoulder.

"I love you so much, angel girl. I'm sorry I had to be so hard on you. I would rather you have a sore bottom, then be hurt, or dead in an alley somewhere," stated Uncle Ben.

He looked down as small gasps came from Robin, tears still running down her cheeks. She had fallen asleep in his arms. Uncle Ben kissed her cheek softly, whispering, "All is forgiven, little one." He carried her up and laid her in bed on her tummy and covered her with her sheet.

As he walked to his room, he thought to himself, 'I didn't even tell her about washing Mr. Jones' house tomorrow,' but that is another story.

Robin found out about washing Mr. Jones' house early the next morning. She wasn't happy about it, but knew she had no choice. As she and Sammie washed the back of the house, and the windows, she heard about her young friend's punishment the night before. It wasn't a pretty story, either.

After Ben had driven off, Uncle Steve turned to Sammie and very quietly said, "I hope you had fun, young lady, because it will be the last bit of fun you have for a while. You are in so much trouble, Samantha."

Sammie burst into tears and cried all the way home. She knew her uncle was disappointed in her and she felt terrible. When they got there, he picked her up and carried her up to her room. "Take off that costume and go get ready for bed. And Sammie? Don't bother putting your pj bottoms on," he added.

She ran to the bathroom and washed up quickly. As much as she wanted to dawdle, she didn't want to make her uncle any angrier than he already was. She put on her pj shirt and walked over to him, where he was sitting on her bed.

Uncle Steve stared down at the little girl. "What on earth were you thinking, Samantha?"

Very quietly, she answered, "I dunno, sir. I guess I didn't think. Robin just suggested..." she stopped herself, because she didn't want to confess about the eggs.

But her uncle lifted her chin and made her look right at him. "Tell me, young lady."

So Sammie had told all. Steve had sighed. His neighbor was not going to be happy. Sammie had to stand in the corner while Steve called both George and Ben. When he got back, he called her out of the corner.

"Young lady, I am very upset with you. What you did tonight was very dangerous. I didn't know where you were or if you were safe. Anything could have happened to you. That would have made me very sad."

"I'm sorry, Uncle Steve," Sammie said.

"Well you should be. And if you're not now, you will be!" Steve said. "Now go get me your hairbrush."

Sammie reluctantly went and got her hairbrush off her dresser and handed it to her uncle. He sighed as he took it from her. He stared down at her.

"Tell me why you're in trouble, little girl."

Sammie took a deep breath and sadly said, "Because me and Robin sneaked out of the house and egged Mr. Jones' house and went trick or treating by ourselves."

"That's quite a list. Are you allowed to leave the house or go ANYWHERE without a grownup, young lady?"

"No, sir."

"No, you're not. And I know we have discussed this many times before, young lady. I'm afraid I'm going to have to be very strict with you about this!"

Sammie sighed as her uncle lifted her over his lap. Her bottom was already bare from when she had taken off her costume.

Steve picked up the hairbrush right away and rained it down on Sammie's bottom. "You know {WHACK! WHACK!} much better {WHACK! WHACK!} than to leave the house {WHACK! WHACK!} or go anywhere {WHACK! WHACK!} without permission, {WHACK! WHACK!} and without a grown-up {WHACK! WHACK!} with you, Samantha." {WHACK! WHACK!}

"Owwwwwwww! Uncle! I'm sorrrrrry!" Sammie cried.

{WHACK! WHACK!} "Are you sorry, {WHACK! WHACK!} Samantha?" Uncle Steve asked. {WHACK! WHACK!} "How many times {WHACK! WHACK!} do I need {WHACK! WHACK!} to repeat this lesson {WHACK! WHACK!} with you?" {WHACK! WHACK!} He brought that hairbrush down again and again on her poor bottom.

"Owwwwwwww!" she cried, feeling sorry for herself. She never seemed to learn. "I won't do it again!"

"I'm going to make sure of that," he said, standing up. He put her down on the floor as he pulled off his belt. "I won't have you not following my rules, young lady."

"Noooo, Uncle Steve! You don't need that! Pleeeease!" she cried.

But it was to no avail. Steve picked her up and put her back over his lap. He raised the belt high in the air and brought it down with a whoooosh! {THWAACCK! THWAAACCKK!} "And we do not destroy or try to ruin other people's property!"

"Owwwww!" she cried.

"No more, Samantha!" he said smacking her with it two more times.
{THWAACCK! THWAAACCKK!} "EVER!"

"Owwwwww!" she cried again. Steve put the belt down and scooped Sammie up into his arms.

"I'm sorry I had to be so harsh on you, Sammie. But I love you very much and I just want you to be safe," Steve said, kissing her on the cheek.

She smiled at him. "It's okay, Uncle Steve. I love you, too. And I promise I won't ever go anywhere without a grown-up again. And I won't throw eggs or anything on anyone's house." She sniffled.

"Good. Now I spoke to Robin's Uncle Ben. Tomorrow you and she will go over to Mr. Jones' house and wash it. You had better never do anything like that again, young lady," he scolded.

"Yes, sir," Sammie said. She knew her friend, Robin, would be upset with her for tattling, but her uncle had given her no choice.

After comparing notes, Robin and Sammie decided they wouldn't try any more dares for a while.