Runaway Angelica

Drew glared at Angelica sternly, his daughter standing in the mess that was his study. "Didn't Daddy tell you not to play in here?! Didn't Daddy specifically explain to you about a hundred times how important these papers are?!"

Angelica merely smiled sweetly. "Yes, daddy. I'm so sorry. I'll never do it again. I promise!"

Figuring that was it she was ready to head out only for her father to speak up. "Angelica, it's not gonna work this time."

She let out a sigh, seeing that it was one of THOSE conversations. "Okay...I'm really, really sorry, daddy, dear. I promise, I'll never, ever..."

He cut her off. "You're not being sincere, young lady!"

"Huh?"

"This time, you're in big trouble!"

Annoyed that he wasn't letting this go Angelica said in a kind but rather patronizing voice, "Oh, Daddy, you're silly. I can't be in trouble-"

She was cut off when Drew grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the living room.

"Daddy?" she said, gulping.

"Yes, you CAN be in trouble, Angelica. You are NOT perfect, you CAN'T do whatever you want, and acting like this is nothing is very much WRONG!" He forced her into a corner, turning her shoulders so she was facing the wall. "You are going to stand there for 10 minutes, young lady, and then you will help me clean up my study. And if you turn around even once I am restarting the clock!"

"But… but daddy…" Angelica whined.

"10 minutes."

She stood there, knowing her father would give up eventually. After about a minute Angelica began to walk away only for her father to grab her and force her to return to the corner.

"10 minutes."

"But I just did 10 whole minutes."

"You did one and decided you were done."

"But it's boring!"

"Maybe you'll think about that the next time you disobey my rules!"

Angelica stomped her foot. "It's not fair!" She kicked the wall in frustration. "It's not-"

Drew grabbed her by the shoulders and twisted her around, giving her a shake. "We do NOT kick things and we do not yell."

"But it's not fair!"

"Just because you say so? You aren't the parent… I am. I make the rules!"

"Then… then… I don't wanna live here! I'll runaway!" She moved to leave the corner but Drew stopped her. "Let go!"

"No. If I have to treat you like a baby I will. I will force you to stand right here for 10 minutes. And then we'll determine your further punishments for kicking the wall. And I'll be telling Dr. Jasper about this!"

Angelica tried to plead, beg, cry, scream, yell, and throw a tantrum… but her father didn't budge.

And that frightened her most of all.

Meanwhile at the Pickles house Tommy suddenly looked up.

"What is it?" Phil asked.

"You ever get the feeling you dodged a bullet?"

"Nope," Phil said. "…what's a bullet?"

"Uh… I don't know. But I think we dodged it."