Hyde had been living with the Formans for nearly a month. He cleaned and did chores without complaint, complimented Mrs. Forman's cooking, and changed his behavior to impress his new family. He'd started studying and doing homework. Eric noticed these changes, but didn't necessarily appreciate them. Hyde was starting to make him look bad. At every turn, it seemed that Red was comparing them, usually with Eric faring unfavorably.

As time went on, the two began to squabble like true brothers. Hyde was grateful for his new home and judged Eric a brat. Eric wanted Hyde to go back to being a rebel who didn't suck up to their parents.

After a contentious afternoon, the drama came to a head.

Now Eric was standing on the brick half wall in the living room behind the couch. Hyde stood beside him, beseeching him to use his common sense and not do what he intended.

"Don't be such a baby," said Kelso. "We just want to see how high it'll bounce."

"Ok," Hyde tried again. "Forman, think, man. You are listening to Kelso. Don't do it."

"Wait, wait, wait. Now you're telling me what to do?" Eric barked.

"Enough talk," declared Kelso. "Do it."

With that, the tall teen handed Eric his father's bowling ball. Hyde shook his head, but his friend glowered rebelliously and held the ball out, aligning it with the couch. He dropped it from 8 feet off the ground. The bowling ball bounced off the springy couch and thudded into the TV. No one moved.

After a moment, Kelso said, "See. I never even thought of that. …Later." And he moved quickly to the front door.

"Thank you," said Fez, on Kelso's heels.

Both Donna and Jackie said a quick goodbye and headed out the back.

Eric, still on the half wall, stood stunned. Hyde, also staring, finally said, "Ah, maybe they won't notice." With that, he turned and went up to the room he shared with Eric.

Once he was alone, Eric realized that he had no one to blame but himself. And worse, he'd been an ass to Hyde. He'd complained about everything Hyde did or said and how he thought Hyde was trying to suck up. Eric knew his dad would whip him for the damage he caused, but for once he thought he might feel better after it. He deserved the punishment, not that he cared about the TV. Only that he'd been terrible to his friend, his brother. The redheaded boy took the stairs three at a time up to his room.

"Hyde, man," Eric started. "I'm sorry that I've been such a jerk these last days. I don't really think you're sucking up. I'm glad you're here, and I hope I haven't made you feel like I'm not."

Hyde looked at his friend and after several seconds said, "Don't worry about it. We're cool. I have been a goody-two-shoes. I kinda hate myself."

"Nah, you're just being the good son. …Don't worry, you can't keep it up," Eric laughed.

"Oh yeah? You don't think I can be a 'good boy' for much longer?"

"I know you can't, man. You don't have the practice."

"Truth."

About 45 minutes later, Red summoned the boys downstairs.

"What the Hell happened here?"

"Well," said Eric, a bit nervously. "I wanted to see how high the bowling ball would bounce off the couch. …But it took a really weird hop."

Red stared at the boys flabbergasted. "Why would you drop a bowling ball on the couch? What good could come of it?"

"Oh, well…. Hindsight being what it is—"

"Eric!" his father roared. "I don't want to hear any of your dumbass excuses. This is the most irresponsible, idiotic thing you have ever done."

"Actually, Red," interjected Hyde. "I did it."

"You did it?"

"No, Dad, Hyde's just covering for me. I did it."

"Hey, Forman, stop. No, it was me."

"Well, guess what?" Red exploded. "I don't care! You're both idiots. And I don't care if you have to get jobs digging ditches, you are gonna buy me a new TV. Now get out to the garage!"

"Yes, sir," Eric moved swiftly to the kitchen and then outside.

"Alright," replied Hyde, though a sharp look from Red made him quickly add a "sir" and follow his friend to the garage.

Hyde knew they were about to get whipped. Red had spanked them both a handful of times. Once they had stayed out too late and worried Mrs. Forman. In 6th grade, they got matching notes from school about being clowns during class. Most recently, they had raced the Vista Cruiser and caused the rear bumper to fall off. He wasn't sure why he volunteered to take this punishment for Eric, but he knew it felt right.

Eric was leaning on the worktable with his arms crossed over his chest when Hyde entered.

"What the Hell was that, man?" Eric demanded. "You know my dad's gonna beat both our butts now. What are you trying to do?"

"I don't know. Maybe I thought Red would take it easy on me."

"NO, YOU DIDN'T! He's never taken it easy on anyone…if you don't count Laurie!" Eric shouted.

"Huh…, I never do count Laurie," smirked Hyde.

"Burn," laughed Eric, doing his best impression of Kelso.

Both boys laughed, but quieted up as soon as Red walked through the door.

"Eric, you're first. Bend over."

His father made quick work of taking off his belt. He folded it in half, holding the buckle safely in his hand. He delivered six quick smacks to his son's backside. After the third, Eric yelped each time the belt fell. When his dad said he was done, the boy stood, his face red, and moved aside.

Hyde walked to the table and bent over. He gritted his teeth and hoped he wouldn't cry or yelp. The belt smacked his bottom and he quietly hissed. One, he counted in his head. Slap. Two, he rolled up on his toes, trying to avoid the full impact of the blow. His ass burned and he wanted to rub it. Smack. Three. Again the belt landed squarely on his upturned bottom. Dammit, this hurt. Tears formed at the corners of his eyes. Whap. Four. Only two more. His face felt wet and his butt was crisscrossed with stinging stripes. Whack. Five. He groaned when the belt landed. Thwack. Six. Done. Hyde was annoyed with himself for crying. This wasn't even the worst whipping he'd gotten from Red. Why was he being such a wuss? He wiped his eyes discreetly and stood up. The boy turned and faced Red, who was watching him closely.

"Sorry, Red," he said once he could trust his voice. "We'll get you a new television."

"Yeah, Dad. Sorry."

"Well… Don't do it again, dumbasses. Go get washed up for dinner."

"Yes, sir," both boys said and hurried off to the house.

Red stood for a moment, alone in his garage.

"Dammit, I could have had a Corvette instead of kids!"