After Soldiers Bridge
It is a first season story about Duncan & Richie and of course Tessa.
Warning / Spanking of a teenager
Duncan was at breakfast when Tessa joined him.
"Good morning Duncan" and she kissed him.
"Good morning, my love."
She sat down. "Yesterday I was very tired and fell asleep. How was it with Richie?"
"Oh, he was not enthusiastic. He meant that it was just a joke and he would not get a spanking."
"But Duncan, that was clear from the beginning. We have explained it to him under what circumstances we deem it appropriate."
"Yes, but he has not taken us seriously. I then refreshed his memory a little and repeat what we told him after our visit at social service."
"Did he understand it", Tessa asked.
"Yes, I think so or hope so at least."
"And how did you deal with him then?"
"Well, he did not follow my instructions and then I had to pull him onto my lap. He then had a panic attack and he fought hard with me. I held him firm on my lap and did not let go. I had to wait until he was weary.
Then I helped him to calm down a bit. I told him that he must not be afraid of me. I assured him that I would not exceed the threshold to abuse. He would receive a spanking and nothing more.
Tessa I was really worried when he reacted so violently. But I had to go through with it otherwise he would not take me or us seriously any more.
I dealt him a total of 100 strokes, 80 over the pyjama pants and 20 on the bare butt. I have not struck too hard because it was his first spanking. Every 20 strokes he had to tell me why he received this spanking to be sure that he did really did know why he got it.
Then I comforted him and put him to bed. I declared again that I love him."
"I think you've mastered this situation well, Duncan. But you're right, it worries me that he was so opposed."
"Tessa, we do not know what he has experienced so far. We must be very careful. He does not trust us. He does not believe we just want his best. Above all, he does not believe us that we love him and want to give him a permanent home."
"Well, Duncan, it is up to us to prove it to him. We need to prove that we stand behind him and love him. It takes time but we have this time."
He had nightmares tonight, Tessa and I hope it was not because of the spanking. I woke him and made him some tea. Afterwards he fell asleep soon again."
"Well then you've taken care of him. I hope he realized that he is important to you."
"Duncan it is nearly nine o'clock, you should go wake him."
"No, I have promised him yesterday that he can sleep in. I will wake him up at half past ten, and after a light breakfast I give him his first yoga lesson."
"Good idea, I will prepare lunch at half past one, and then we do have enough time. At three we have our appointment with Graham at St. Mary's High School", said Tessa.
"I'm looking forward to the results; I hope that Richie will be in a class with children the same age as he is."
"Yes, me too Tessa, now I do have a few phone calls to take care of" Duncan said.
"I will open the store", Tessa retorted.
Richie woke up just before ten o'clock. Today, no one had roused him. So Mac had kept his word.
Then yesterday evening came to his mind as he rolled onto his back. Oh, my butt still hurts a little and he turned on his right side.
Huh, Mac has given me a hard spanking. At least his fingers did not find the way into my butt or to my genitals. He has not touched me in a sexual way or groped at me indecently.
He promised me no abuse. The others had promised that too. Then they did it anyway. They did not continue to renege.
What should I do? Run away or wait? Well, actually he was quite nice and has comforted me and cared for me when I had this nightmare.
Why do they say over and over again that they love me and only want to help me? We do not know each other for a long time not even for a month. I cannot trust them and they can't love me.
Now, by law he is my guardian and I have to do what he asks of me. He is not the first which is nice at the beginning and suddenly everything changes.
Huh, I'm terrified that this time it also does not work out. But I do not want to live on the street. In addition, the orphanage or a prison is not an option. Here at least I have a nice room and enough to eat.
But the next few days will be uncomfortable. I got house arrest and I must write this essay. They're just too hard with me. Still, I like the two somehow.
Okay, if I'm honest I deserved the punishment. I really did not behave like the two expect it of me. Do they expect too much of me?
Huh, I must admit that it is not too much. Actually, I should just behave decently and obey and do nothing illegal or criminal anymore. Ah, and do nothing that endangers my live.
At that moment he heard a knock and Duncan entered.
"Good morning Richie, you're awake?"
"Uhm, yes Mac, I'm awake and hi."
"Have you slept well after the interruption my lad?"
"Yeah, no more nightmares."
"Well then get up and dress in some sportswear. After breakfast, I'm going to teach you some yoga and Tai Chi."
"What are you crazy I am not an old man!"
"No, not really", Duncan smirked.
"The doctor said that you are underweight and malnourished. He instructed us to control your diet. He also told me to encourage you and do some sport with you. He said nothing too intense at the beginning. You have to build your muscles and endurance."
"Ah, Mac, please can we negotiate the kind of sport?"
"Sure, but only when you reached your normal weight and you did build up your muscles and your stamina."
"Please have mercy with me, Mac."
"Richie you've ever done yoga or Tai Chi before?"
"No, but.
"Then just try it first. I'm sure it will challenge you. You like the relaxation exercise in the evening."
"Huh, okay I'll try."
"Good lad."
"So from now on we will every day practice either some yoga or Tai Chi together.
"Must we really do that every day, Mac?"
"Yes, it must be my lad and I think you will live."
"Richie, the doctor told us something else."
"What?"
"That you had unprotected sex and you caught a little unpleasant sexually transmitted disease."
"Huh, you know about it." Suddenly Richie was deep red in the face.
"Well, that can happen but it would be better to protect yourselves with a condom. No one should put his life at risk just for sex. Do you know how to use a condom?"
"Huh, Mac, I know don't worry" Richie retorted embarrassed.
"Well then, I expect that you use always condoms in the future for your protection."
"Promise me, Richard!"
"Huh, I promise."
"If you have any questions on this subject, please talk to me about it. I take it seriously, and advise you."
And Richie, you can tell me absolutely everything. I will not think badly of you or not take you seriously. I will not judge you.
Tessa and I will always stand by you and try to help you.
I have already experienced so many unpleasant things in my life. As an immortal you experience all. I had unpleasant experiences myself, including abuse.
Huh, okay Mac.
"Now get up Richie and dress. Breakfast will be ready in 10 minutes."
Duncan left Richie's room and went to prepare his breakfast. He was glad that he finally had his chance to talk about the boy's sexual live and to clarify what they expect from him in the future. He thought it would be more difficult. Well we will see.
Oh, Richie thought, that I have just been missing for my happiness.
I do wonder what he really knows about me.
Why did he say I can tell him everything?
Okay I will say to Mrs. Keller and Powell only the most necessary. I will not stand in the line of fire.
No one needs to know what I already have experienced.
They would only condemn me. I am very sure that Mac and Tessa would bring me back immediately to the next orphanage. I am not talking about me and that's final.
As long as it reasonably well here I'll stay. When that changes, I will run away.
Mostly it's just for a short time well. Even with Mac and Tessa it will not be different. I cannot afford to lower my barriers. I must be careful and I cannot trust them.
Twenty minutes later Richie entered the kitchen.
"Richie here, your breakfast is ready, sit down and enjoy it."
Duncan sat down with a cup of coffee and a sigh, and looked at Richie with concern.
For Richie it was clearly visible and he was embarrassed and said nothing.
"Is everything okay with you", Duncan asked the lad.
"Does Tessa know it too?"
"The doctor has informed both of us."
"Well, the antibiotics took care of your pneumonia and the sexually transmitted disease. The doctor has assured us that you'll be back in perfect health. Your blood was okay too."
"Oh, well I was not sure, he said shyly.
"I thought the doctor spoke to you about it. Yes he did but I was not sure if he was honest with me, Richie said".
"You are okay and on your way to recover and be healthy again. But we have to do something for it."
"Huh, yes, the yoga lesson I nearly forgot" Richie admitted.
"I will remember you. Come on I show you the practice room."
"There is a practise room, Richie asked surprised.
"Yes in the attic."
"You did not show me this room", Richie accused.
"No, I had my swords here, so I felt it was not a good idea."
There is another house rule Richie. You do not handle a sword without my permission. It is far too dangerous for you!
You heard me? "
"Yes, Mac I heard you."
Duncan showed him the attic and then instructed Richie some yoga exercises. It was not as bad as Richie had imagined it. It was also not as easy as he had though.
After an hour and a half Mac let him go. Richie went to take a shower and to dress.
Duncan was surprised when Richie entered his office. He had thought that the lad would watch some TV.
"Mac, can we talk?"
"Sure Richie, what do you want to discuss."
"Uhm, Mac, I wanted to go out with some friends this weekend to be correct we have some tickets for a concert Saturday night.
I paid for my ticket already. Now I wanted to ask you if the house arrest may be postponed until Sunday morning, or you could make an exception."
"Richie that was a little bit premature to pay for the ticket before you got our permission. You know that you should ask us before you go out with your friends. I will talk about it with Tessa. We'll tell you later how we decided."
"Okay, I can wait. Do you have a job for me", Richie asked.
Duncan was a little surprised.
"Yes you could roll the coins."
"That I can do", Richie retorted.
Duncan gave him the sack of coins and the corresponding roles.
"Look on this side of the desk is enough space to perform this work."
Duncan turned to his work and let Richie do his task.
Richie said nothing and concentrated on his task. He hoped that he could attend the concert. He tried to be a good boy.
Suddenly Tessa was in the office.
"Lunch is ready!"
"Oh, I'm really hungry" Richie yelled and rushed into the bathroom to wash his hands.
"Well, at least he is hungry" Tessa laughed.
"Huh, it was quite scary, he was really busy," Duncan smirked.
The lunch was pleasant and after that it was nearly time to visit St. Mary's.
This time Tessa accompanied them. Richie was visibly nervous.
"Richie, nothing will happen to you", Tessa said reassured.
"We will surely find a good solution for you", Duncan added.
He went to the secretary and she waved them through. The director is waiting for you in his office. You know the way Mr. Macleod.
Duncan knocked at the door.
Graham opened the door immediately.
"Good afternoon, my friends please come in and have a seat."
They greeted the Director and then they sat down.
"So, you're sure looking forward to your results, Richie?"
Yes, Sir, Richie retorted polite.
"Luckily, I can tell you that they turned out well.
Duncan has told me that you've changed school often during the last years.
Therefore I find it even more amazing.
Mrs. Smith informed me that you told her that it was often boring for you at school."
"Yes, that's right."
"We know why this was like that. You are very intelligent boy and you were not enough challenged.
That will change in our school. We have a special program for children like you. Since we have the results of your test, we also know what level you achieved in the various subjects already."
Duncan said "Really good news for us, Graham."
"How have we now to proceed", asked Tessa?
"Richie can visit our school if you want him to attend," the Director told them.
"Yes, I definitively would like him to attend this school," Duncan declared.
"Well, I'll give you with pleasure the registration forms and test results."
"Graham, we will fill out these forms and send them back in the next few days", Tessa said.
"Graham, has Richie some knowledge gaps? If yes, how can we help him to close them before school starts," Duncan asked?
"Well, Richie should work at his English spelling and grammar that is his weak spot. It would be an advantage if he would learn one or two foreign languages, perhaps French and Italian."
"We will think about it," Tessa said.
"Well, when we received the entry forms, you will get a confirmation of acceptance. A month before school starts Mrs. Smith will contact you. She will invite you to a meeting. Then you can discuss Richie's timetable with her."
"Graham, we want to thank you for your help and your understanding," Duncan said.
"This is really not necessary."
"Well, then we should go now," Tessa said. They said goodbye and left.
"Well, really good news. I'm proud of you Richie", Duncan said and ruffled his hair.
"I am also proud of you; Tessa said gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Huh, thought Richie embarrassed and not able to respond.
"I think you deserve an ice cream", Duncan told him.
"Yes indeed, the Italian ice cream shop is just around the corner", Tessa informed them.
"Well, we know our goal, come on Richie."
It was a pleasant afternoon, and Richie was hopeful that he could attend the concert.
At home Tessa instructed the boy to tidy up his room and bathroom. After that he had to wipe her workshop and then to bring out the garbage.
Richie heard them speak French and he hates it, because he did not understand them. He took care of the duties assigned to him and then retired to his room.
Shortly before dinner Tessa inspected his room and the bathroom. She informed him that he had completed all tasks to her satisfaction and dinner was ready.
The dinner was pleasant and good as ever. Tessa and Duncan talked about their business. After dinner, Tessa asked Richie to do the dishes and then to join them in the living room.
When he had finished his task he went in the living room and sat down as requested.
"Richie, we want to talk to you about your request this morning", Duncan informed him.
"Richie, I was actually against it to allow you to go to this concert. You received house arrest and not without a reason, Tessa stated.
Duncan, however, voted that we should allow you to attend this concert.
We have now agreed that the house arrest will start tomorrow morning.
Tessa noticed that Richie clearly was shattered but held his tongue in check this time.
But we agreed that you can visit the concert on Saturday night. Duncan will pick you up after the concert", Tessa informed him and smirked.
Huh, thank you, Richie said.
"The crucial factor was that we have seen that you've tried to give your best at the placement test and you have completed your tasks to our satisfaction.
Nevertheless you will write the demanded essay tomorrow morning", Tessa demanded.
"Sure I will do that Tessa."
"We need to clarify something Richie," Duncan said seriously.
Mrs. Keller will visit us tomorrow afternoon and Sergeant Powell on Friday afternoon.
We expect that you are polite and respectful. If you do not want to answer because it is too painful for you, then that's fine.
Simply say you do not want to answer but stay calm. Nothing will happen to you. You'll be safe. I will monitor it and support you", Duncan assured him.
"We find it important, that you tell what happened to you, but it is your decision and we will accept and support you", Tessa confirmed.
"We also want you to thank Sergeant Powell", Duncan said forcefully.
"Huh, I'll try, but honestly I will be very difficult for me!"
"We know it, but we still expect good manners, Duncan stated.
Richie had no wish to deepen this topic. "May I go to my room please", he asked instead.
"Yes, you may go it's time for you anyway. Get ready for bed."
Richie left and went to his room.
A few minutes later the adults followed him to say good night.
Thank you for reading, please review. Next chapter coming soon!