The boys watched as Justin sauntered over to where the two men were standing. They saw him flinch as Seth clamped a hand down on his shoulder.

"I don't like that guy. He's sketchy," Alex said.

"People say Justin's mom is an addict and has had a bunch of dealer boyfriends. I might actually feel bad for Justin if he weren't such an arrogant dick all the time," Clay responded.

"Yeah, he can be a dick. And sometimes a little scary. …Sorry, Clay. Sorry I went along with this stupid plan to try to intimidate you. I hope you won't be in too much trouble."

Clay scoffed. "My parents are going to be pissed. They're usually relaxed about most things. But I've never gotten in trouble with the cops before."

"Huh, every time I'm in trouble it's with the cops," Alex joked. "Well, with A COP."

"Do you really think those guys are going to get in as much trouble as they said?" Clay asked.

"Why would they lie?"

"But getting hit? Really? With a cane and a belt? I just didn't think that was something that still happened."

"Hmmm," Alex said. "My dad still believes in spanking. Especially for disrespect or disobedience or danger. He calls them the 3 Ds. My brother calls them "Dad's Don't Do" list. I'm 90% certain that he'll spank me tonight."

"Oh... You were serious," Clay murmured.

"Yeah, it's embarrassing. So please don't tell anyone, okay?"

"I won't. …I can only remember my mom spanking me once. I think I was 4 and had runaway in a store. She couldn't find me for awhile and freaked out when she did."

A Prius pulled off the road and Clay's parents got out. Officer Standall walked over and shook hands with them both. Mrs. Jensen looked at Clay angrily, putting her hands on her hips.

"Suddenly I feel like I'm 4 again and she just found me in the Target toy section," Clay said nervously.

Alex laughed. "Your mom must be the tough guy in your family."

"For sure. She's a lawyer and Dad's a literature professor, so yeah. When she's mad, she'll be like a lawyer with me too. Tears apart any defense I make. So usually I just don't talk."

Officer Standall waved to Clay.

"Good luck, man. Again, sorry for all the trouble we caused you," Alex said.

"Good luck to you too, I guess," the boy responded.

Clay got out of the car and walked over to where his parents stood. They both looked worried and angry.

"Mom. Dad. I don't know what to say, except I'm sorry about all this," the boy said.

"What were you thinking, Clay?" his mom asked. "This reckless behavior isn't like you."

The teen looked down at his feet and said nothing.

"Do you really have nothing to say for yourself?" his mom demanded.

"Okay, okay," his father said. "We'll continue this conversation at home. Thank you, Bill, for calling us."

"Sure. Have a good night," Officer Standall said and walked back over to his son's car.

"Clay, get in the car," Mr. Jensen commanded firmly.

The boy climbed into the backseat and prepared for his mom's lecture. But the car ride home was quiet.

When they finally got home, his father simply said, "Kitchen table." Clay nodded and lead the way.

Once everyone was seated, his mom said, "Start from the beginning. What were you boys doing tonight?"

"Nothing. They just gave me a ride when it got dark. Oh, and Alex still has my bike."

"Okay. And why was Alex driving 90 mph?"

"I don't know. I didn't notice. We were talking."

"Did you notice that the car's headlights were off?"

"No, I was turned around talking to Justin and Zach in the back."

"And, why in God's name, were you not wearing a seat belt, Clay?" his mother's questions were getting louder and angrier.

"I didn't realize—" the boy started.

"Do not tell me that you didn't realize! That is ridiculous! You never ride in a car without your seat belt, but you somehow expect us to believe that tonight, when you were in a car going 90 mph with no headlights on, that you were just having a normal conversation? Clay, why are you lying to us?" Lainie yelled.

"I'm not lying, Mom," Clay snapped.

"Yes, you are, son. And you are grounded until you start talking to us and telling us the truth," she replied.

"This is bullshit!"

"Clay!" Matt said sharply. "Go to your room. Your mother and I need to talk."

"This isn't fair!" the teen yelled.

"Go to your goddamn room," his father barked. When his son did not move, he added, "Now!"

Clay flinched. His father almost never raised his voice. The boy shot up from his seat, stomped through the family room and bolted up stairs, slamming his door. He paced his room until he calmed down, then he stretched out on his bed reading Alien Killer Robots.

After awhile, there was a knock at his door and his father entered. The teen sat up.

"Clay, your mother and I have decided that you are grounded for two weeks. No phone, no video games, no television, no friends. Just school and home. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Son, tonight was scary. I hope you can understand that. You boys could have been in a terrible accident. Those speeds and no seat belt, no one would survive that. That kind of reckless behavior is inexcusable. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Dad. I really get it. ...I promise."

"Thank God. We're just so worried about you. I hope you know how much we love you."

"Of course I do. I love you both too. I'm sorry I scared you."

Just as his father turned to leave, the boy spoke again. "Hey, Dad. Can I ask you a weird question?"

"Sure, you can ask me anything."

"Why didn't you ever spank me when I was little?"

The man looked taken aback. He walked over to the small couch and sat down, across from his son. "Well, for a couple reasons. Mostly because there is plenty of research that shows that spanking children is ineffective and can have some adverse effects. What made you think of that?"

"The other guys all said their parents are going to hit them for getting into trouble."

"Really?" his father said, surprised. "How do you feel about that? Are you worried about them?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe a little worried. Zach said his dad uses a cane on him. Justin talked about being hit with a belt. And Alex never said. He just said his dad would spank him."

His father nodded, studying his son's worried face. "Well, it is legal for their parents to use physical discipline, if they see fit. As long as it's reasonable. …When you see those guys tomorrow at school, why don't you check that they are okay. They might not want to talk about it. But still, it doesn't hurt to check. If you're still worried about it after that, we'll figure out a plan."

"Okay, thanks, Dad. …Did your parents believe in spanking?" the teen asked.

For a moment, his father sat quietly, thinking. Finally, he said, "Yes, my father believed in corporal punishment. Any time one of us boys got in any trouble, off came his belt. Truthfully, that is the real reason I have never spanked you. I didn't want you to be afraid of me and hate me the way that I feared and hated my dad."

"I could never hate you, Dad. Thanks for telling me all that."

"You're welcome. Ok, hand over your phone and remote controls and computer power cord. And then get ready for bed. Lights out in 10 minutes. Understand?"

"I understand."

Clay got into bed thinking about how lucky he was to have a gentle and kind father. And, even though Justin, Zach, and Alex had been trying to intimidate him, the boy hoped that they would all be fine tomorrow.

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