The boys sat in silence for fifteen minutes until an expensive car pulled off the road and stopped.

"Oh man," Zach whispered. "My dad is here."

A tall man wearing a dark suit got out of the car and stood beside it. When Officer Standall approached, the two men shook hands. They spoke briefly and then the police officer signaled for Zach to join them.

"Good luck," Justin whispered.

"You too. All of you," Zach said, getting out of the car and walking over to where the men stood.

"I'm sorry, Dad. We were just driving around, talking, listening to music. We didn't realize how fast we were going," Zach said.

"You didn't realize you were in a car going 50 mph above the speed limit? You didn't realize that you didn't have your seatbelt on?" Mr. Dempsey asked, disbelieving.

Zach knew he was trapped. He'd just lied to his father and now his dad was giving him a second chance to tell the truth.

"Um, no, sir, I knew what we were doing. Sorry about all of this, Dad."

"Hmmm," the man said, appraising his son. Then he turned to the policeman and said, "Thank you again for the phone call. I assure you, it will not happen again. Will it, Zachary?"

"No, sir. It won't. I'm sorry, Officer Standall. Thank you for not arresting us," the teen said quietly.

"Get in the car," his father ordered.

Zach moved quickly, getting in the passenger's seat. The boy's anxiety was so intense that tears occasionally ran down his cheeks. He brushed them away angrily, praying that no one noticed.

Soon his father was silently driving them home. Although Zach had only been caned twice, the experiences were seared into his memory. The first time he had been 12 and had stolen a video game that his parents had refused to buy. The next time was when he went to the eighth-grade dance without permission.

"Dad," the boy began.

"No," his father cut him off. "You've already lied to me once tonight. I am not interested in what you have to say now."

Zach looked out the window and tried to blink the tears out of his eyes.

As soon as they got home, the teen went to his father's office to wait for him. His mother was already sitting on the sofa along the back wall, looking disappointed. Zach could not bring himself to look at her or even apologize. He was thankful that May was not around. She hated seeing her big brother get in trouble.

Mr. Dempsey walked into his office. Without a word, he went to the umbrella stand in the corner and, from among several umbrellas, he pulled a rattan cane. Zach could feel his heart rate and breathing quicken.

"Zachary," his father said. "You have made some terrible and dangerous choices tonight. You allowed your friend to drive recklessly, 50 mph above the speed limit. Also, you were not wearing a seat belt. Both of these choices could have gotten you killed. The reckless driving could have killed others. These choices could have also gotten you arrested. Finally, you lied to me. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"No, sir. It will not happen again, Dad. I'm sorry."

"Six," the man said.

Zach nodded and prepared himself for his punishment. He crossed his arm over his chest, stood up straight and waited. Swish! The cane thwacked the boy's backside loudly. It took Zach a moment to feel the pain. However, he made no noise and stayed still. Swish! Thwack! Pain. The second stroke had crisscrossed the first across his backside. He clenched his jaw and held his breath. Swish! Thwack! Pain. The sting he was feeling was building in intensity. Only 3 more, he told himself. Swish! Thwack! Pain. The teen squeezed his fists and starred out the window into the dimly lit garden. He tried to imagine being outside in the peaceful garden. Swish! Thwack! Pain. The boy could taste copper in his mouth and realized he had bit his cheek. His ass was on fire with stinging stripes. Last one, he told himself. Swish! Thwack! Pain. Thank you, Lord, for getting me through this puni--. Swish! Thwack! Pain. The unexpected blow shocked Zach and he turned to face his father.

"That, Zachary, is why lying is so damaging to your relationships. It breaks the trust. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Dad. I do. I'm sorry."

"Very well. Now go to bed."

"Yes, sir. Good night. Good night, Mom."

As soon as he was in his room, Zach rubbed his aching backside. He knew by morning the pain would be mostly gone, but would his parents' anger abate as quickly? He crawled in bed, hoping his friends were faring better than he had.

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