Chapter 7

Tony thought that the afternoon spent at the store was going to be easy; it hadn't seem all that hard the last time he had visited but boy was he wrong. Jack gave Neal and him job after job of emptying boxes, putting products on the shelves; pricing the cans but the worse was when Jack told them that they would also be delivering groceries to customers unable to pick them up for themselves.

"My delivery boy, Mike, is off this week. He went with his family on vacation to Disney World. It was fortunate that you two decided to misbehave and take his place," explained Jack as he handed Tony and Neal both a bag of groceries and told then where they had to be delivered to.

"Tony, since yours is the furthest you get the transportation; Neal Mrs. Simpson lives in the next block, here is who address," explained Jack as he handed him a slip of paper. "It shouldn't take you no longer than fifteen minutes to deliver and be back…don't dawdle; you have ice cream in that bag."

Neal took off at a steady walk in the direction he was sent while Jack led Tony around back. Tony was expecting to be given the keys to Jack's truck but was dismayed to find instead a bicycle leaning against the wall. It had a basket up front for the groceries to be placed. "Here you go Tony…your address is a mile away…now hurry and don't break the eggs," Jack explained as he handed Tony his address.

"Grandpa…my butt…"

"is going to hurt even worse if you don't get going," completed Jack sternly.

"Yes, sir," replied Tony as he winced getting on and took off peddling much to Jack's amusement.

"That should teach you not to worry Leroy," Jack muttered as he reentered the store.

The rest of the afternoon went accordingly that when he finally locked the front door both Neal and Tony were too tired to do much else than collapse on the couch.

"I've never been so tired in my whole life," moaned Neal as attempted to put his feet up on the coffee table in front of the couch.

"I didn't think that running a store was such hard work," added Tony as his feet soon joined Neal's. Unfortunately neither was given much time before Jack called them into the kitchen.

"Neal…set the table and Tony make a salad; I've had a pot roast in the crock-pot all afternoon…it should be just about ready. Dinner will be ready in the next thirty minutes," directed Jack.

All too soon it was ten o'clock and Neal and Tony were getting ready for bed. Neal had taken his shower earlier and while Tony was in the shower

Jack approached carrying a well used paddle.

"Neal, I want you to bend over the desk and hold on and we can get your spanking out of the way," Jack said without preamble. "I figure that six licks should be enough to remind you why you are being punished this week."

Neal had hoped that Jack would have forgotten about the spanking part of the week long punishment but seeing the paddle in his hand and the determined look on his face knew that his butt was going to be toast very soon and only took up position as he had been ordered.

He felt a hand on his back but before he could react felt the first lick; it took his breath away. "OWWWW!" Neal cried as fire visited his left buttock followed closely by two more equally as hard and painful licks since Jack put them all in the same area. When he didn't think he could stand another in the same area Jack placed another three to his right causing Neal to yell with each lick before Jack stopped his assault on his butt and he felt himself being pulled into Jack's arms for the forgiving hug.

"Okay, everything will be okay…now you get into bed; you've got a full day of work tomorrow. Goodnight Neal," Jack said before placing a kiss to the top of his head and turning off the lights.

With just that kiss Neal felt loved and cared for and turned over on his stomach falling asleep moments later. He was so tried that he didn't even hear Tony's yips of pain as his bedtime spanking was administered.

Sunday morning came too quickly for Neal's sake as he was awaken early the next morning although by Jack's reckoning he had let the boy sleep an hour longer than usual. "Wake up Neal, its eight o'clock; you have time for breakfast and a shower and then its time for church…and before you even think to protest…you are going as is Tony," greeted Jack the next morning.

"Church? I haven't been since I was a boy …do I have to," replied Neal instinctly?

"Yep… hurry up breakfast will be on the table in fifteen minutes…I'm sure you will not welcome sitting on a wooden pew with a sore bottom," lightly threatened Jack.

That got him up and showered in record time as he entered the kitchen rubbing his wet hair dressed in a clean pair of sweatpants and t-shirt. "Good Morning," Neal said do Tony and Jack as he sat down for breakfast. He was surprised that his backside was only slightly sore and not sorer after the six licks he received the night before. "What's for breakfast?"

"How do pancakes with sausage sound?" asked Jack as he sat a platter full in the middle of the table with the usual condiments of butter and maple syrup.

"Delicious," replied Neal as he waited for the prayer before reaching and filling his plate.

"How did you boys sleep?" asked Jack after taking a bite.

"Fantastic," replied Neal, "I haven't slept that good in years."

"How about you Tony?"

"I slept fine Grandpa," replied Tony, "but couldn't you have let me sleep a bit longer."

"Not if we want to make church," replied Jack, "and like I told Neal, no argument about not going or you are going to find sitting on a wooden pew a bit painful…I don't think you want me to add to the soreness of your bottom now."

"No sir, it is sore enough as it is," replied Tony respectfully.

Neal looked at Tony in surprise, "why are you still sore…mine doesn't hurt that much."

"That's because you only had the six licks yesterday and I had a bit more," explained Tony.

Neal looked at Jack for further information. "Tony got into a bit more trouble than you did and had to be reminded not to do it again, that's all Neal. I'm sure that he doesn't want me to go into a long explanation and we will just leave it at that."

Neal nodded and resumed eating and the day progressed smoothly. Church wasn't as boring as Neal thought in fact he found it quite interesting as he did being introduced to all as one of Jack's grandsons. He charmed all of Jack's friends and neighbors with his ready smile and charming manners.

"Yeah, he's a charmer," replied Jack to his friends' comments, but had to explain over and over again that Neal wasn't Leroy's son but someone like Tony who he had wormed his way into his (Jack's) affections and was an honorary or surrogate grandson.

"Now that church is over the day is free for you two; do whatever you want within my boundaries," surprised Jack to both Neal's and Tony's delight. "Just don't get into any trouble. The consequences won't be pleasant," reminded Jack.

"What are our boundaries?" asked Tony.

"You can't leave Stillwater and you have to be back by six o'clock for supper," replied Jack. "Now go and have a good time," he added as he watched the two return to the house and hurriedly changed into something more casual before walking away.

It was five thirty and still no grandsons appearing up the drive and Jack was starting to get worried when the phone rang and when Jack answered he understood the anxious feeling…it was the police. "It seems that there was a fight at one of the local bars and his grandsons were being held. Would he come and pick them up?" was what the officer at the other end of the phone told him.

When Jack pulled up in front of the Stillwater Police Department a few minutes later he paused remembering the last time he was here. It had been one of the times that Tony had visited and had gotten into a little trouble of his own making. He remembered bailing him out and then taking him to the woodshed soon later. He hoped the same wasn't about to happen now.

As he entered the first person he saw was his old friend Tom Nichols, who was the Captain of Police. "Tom," he called out, "I'm here to pick up my grandsons, Neal and Tony. "One of your men called me a few minutes ago informing that they were in your custody, I assume they have been arrested?"

"Arrested? No you have it wrong Jack. The boys aren't in any trouble," and led his friend into his office to explain.

Once Jack sat down Tom asked, "I take it that you have gained Neal as a grandson in the same way you got Tony?"

Jack nodded, "yeah, he's another scamp without a grandfather so I 'adopted' him."

Tom nodded and began his explanation, "We picked them up along with the Simpson brothers to sort it all out here. Amy Franklin, my niece was one of the witnesses as was her friend Rosemary Williams. It seemed that Tony and Neal wandered into one of our nicer establishments, the Bar and Grill and started talking with the girls and hit it off immediately. They each took them to a table and soon were having the best of times talking and eating when Buck and Junior walked in. They had been drinking, not drunk but just enough to make them mean. Junior saw Neal talking with Amy and took an instant dislike to him. In his twisted mind he took affront because he likes Amy and would like it if they were closer."

"Like Amy would have anything to do with the likes of him," added Jack.

Tom nodded and continued, "While Amy has never encouraged him she had smiled at him at times just trying not to hurt his feelings and I guess he took it for more than it was. Anyhow he stalks over there and tries to bully Neal into leaving; telling him that he is with his girlfriend which Amy quickly denied and even asked Junior to leave."

"I take it that Junior didn't take the brush off well?"

"Nope he pulled Neal from his chair and pushed him into Buck's hands before striking him in the eye and pounded him in the stomach. They would have done worse if Tony hadn't come to Neal's aid and lit into Junior preventing him from pounding Neal more. As soon as some of the other customers saw what was happening they came to your boys' rescue and were able to separate the Simpsons from your grandsons until we arrived. The Simpsons are cooling off in one of the back cells until they sober up and we called you to pick your boys up."

"Where are they?" Jack asked as the door opened and Neal and Tony walked sheepishly in thinking and thinking that they are in trouble were looking down.

"Neal! Tony! Look at me," Jack said simply.

Tony and Neal looked up and Jack could see the extent of their injuries. Both were showing bruises on their faces but Neal was also sporting a black eye.

"I understand that you got into a little trouble?"

Neal and Tony nodded, "just a bit grandpa," added Tony with a smile, "but this time we didn't start it."

"I'm glad that this time won't lead into more trouble for you like the last time did when I had to bail you out. This time you two did good; lets go home and get some ice on those bruises and your black eye, Neal. Thanks Tom for watching out for them and give your niece my best," Jack added as he walked out followed closely by Neal and Tony.

Jack looked down at Neal sleeping so soundly that night. After all he and Tony had been through that afternoon he hadn't the heart to give them their bedtime spanking. They had earned the reprieve for that night at least. After they had returned he had tended to their injuries and feed them but it had been their idea to go to bed so early and he had hearted agreed that they needed the extra sleep. He was proud of his two scamps for what they had done that day and closing the door had made his way downstairs to inform Peter and Leroy of their good deed. He knew they would want to know…since they were the only family either really had.

9