"So, Frank, how's the new student teacher working out?" Joe Harris, head high school football coach directed the question to Frank Lemke, head basketball coach, swimming coach, and assistant football coach.
The men were sitting in the teachers' lounge, enjoying a few minutes break and a cup of coffee. Also in the lounge were Chuck Jensen, head track and assistant basketball coach; John Marshall, math teacher and head baseball coach; and Keith Carlson, head soccer coach and assistant track and assistant swimming coach.
"Well," Coach Lemke paused, "this kid is great with the kids – especially the swimming class and swim team – 'cause he can swim like a star. Wow! I don't know when I've seen anyone do the different strokes, with the technique, strength, and speed that he has. And he can hold his breath forever! But, honestly, when it comes to his actions, he's just another one of them. For a guy who is supposed to graduate from college in less than three months, he is every bit as much a problem and handful as the kids themselves."
"What?!? What do you mean?" Coaches Harris and Jensen asked simultaneously.
"Well, for example, when the guys come into the locker room, they are supposed to get changed immediately and head into the pool. Anybody who is not out of the locker room, and in the pool, when the second bell rings, can count on twenty-five swats with the paddle -- an incentive to be on time! If I blow the whistle, the kids know they are to jump out of the pool immediately. If they don't, we count the total strokes and seconds it takes before they do get out, and they get that many swats with the paddle, or more. Likewise, if I'm talking to the kids, I expect them to keep quiet. Those who don't get a couple dozen swats to help their memories next time."
"Right," joined in the coaches.
"Well, this kid, Kevin McDonahue, – we call him 'Coach Kevin' – just ignores everything. He fools around with the guys in the locker room, instead of them getting ready and out to the pool. When the whistle blows, he stays in the water, keeps right on swimming and playing around, and distracts those who are getting out or already out of the pool. When I'm talking, he's carrying on his own "funnies" with some of the guys, so I have to stop and wait for him and them to quiet down. It's aggravating."
"You bet!" the coaches agreed together.
"That's ridiculous. He's supposed to be learning from you, how to handle them, and how to become an adult teacher and coach. Instead, it sounds as if he's introducing more disorder and disrespect than you would encounter anyway." Coach Marshall stated.
"Right," the others agreed.
"It sounds like he needs a bite of the board, Coach," declared Coach Harris. "You know, a lesson from the "board of education" might do him a world of good, and set an example and send a message to the kids at the same time."
"Yeah," Coach Jensen joined in. "If he is going to act like a disobedient kid, he has to expect the same consequences that they get. I'll bet one or two times of that might straighten him right up, and anybody else that has gotten loose or careless while he's been getting away with this behavior."
"That's amazing, guys," replied Coach Lemke. "That's exactly what I've been sitting here thinking, – and in fact over the past week I've been thinking the same thing over and over again. . ."
"Right, Frank," interrupted Coach Carlson. "He may need to be taken in hand for some "educating" every bit as much as – or maybe even more than – some of the kids. You'd be doing him a big favor and benefit in the long run. And you're sure not doing him, or the kids – or the program here – any favor by letting him go on like he has."
"Well, that pretty much settles it for me," Coach Lemke responded. "I'd about made up my mind to level with him, that anymore and he can expect the same consequences as anybody else; but you guys have corroborated that for me now."
"Go for it, Frank!" they all replied. "Bust his behind if he doesn't take the hint and shape up! Let the "board of education" do the "talking" to his bottom! He'll get the message, and he – and you – will be better off for it!"
That afternoon was boys swimming class at 1:30, with swim team practice to start after school, at 3: 30. As the kids were piling into the locker room to change into their swimsuits, Coach Lemke went looking for "Coach Kevin." Sure enough, there he was in the locker room, already in his swimsuit, snapping towels with some of the guys, and generally fooling around and delaying them from getting ready and out to the pool.
"ALL RIGHT, GUYS! YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO BE IN THE POOL. ANYBODY NOT IN THE POOL WILL GET SOME REFRESHED LEARNING FROM THE 'BOARD OF EDUCATION'! NOW GET GOING!!" Coach Lemke barked out.
"Coach Kevin, I need to see you in my office a minute, please."
Just before he turned to walk into his office, Coach Lemke saw the student coach, Kevin McDonahue, slant his head in the direction of Coach Lemke and make a mimicking smirk towards the guys. Coach Lemke clenched his lips together and just walked directly into his office and closed the door. A couple of minutes later, Coach Kevin opened the door and walked in.
"Kevin, I wanted to talk with you outside of the presence of the kids."
"Cool!" Kevin interrupted lightheartedly.
"We've got a problem, Kevin, and it's got to end – right now!"
"Sure, Coach," the student coach responded. "What's the problem?"
The kid didn't have a clue about his own behavior – much less the inappropriateness, or the effects, of it.
"Sit down, Kevin. I want to level with you," Coach Lemke began.
"Right, Coach," the kid lightly interjected.
"This is serious, Kevin," Coach Lemke admonished. "You're attitude and behavior are worse than many of the kids out there. You ignore all the rules – in fact, you violate them all – and on top of that you evidence as much – or more – disrespect as they try to get away with."
"Ohhh, Coach, that . . ." he grinned, obviously minimizing the matter.
"I don't want any 'oh, coaches,' Kevin!" Coach Lemke stopped him. You're nearly twenty-two years old; you're about to graduate with a teaching degree in less than three months; and you don't seem to recognize how you are acting, and how you should conduct yourself. You are supposed to be becoming an adult teacher and coach, and a responsible man. Instead, you behave like a rebellious adolescent who wants to test and push every limit, every rule, every authority.
"Well, I've had more than belly full of it, Kevin, and it's going to stop NOW! I'm giving you full and fair warning and notice, if you continue to break the rules, you will suffer the same consequences as any kid who does the same thing. I regret that it has had to come to this; but I'm dead serious. If you insist on behaving like a defiant kid, you are going to get the same consequences, and the same treatment, as a defiant kid. Do I make myself understood, Kevin?"
The student coach was obviously caught be surprise. "Ah, sure. Right, Coach." Then, he paused, grinned with a sigh, and looking up at Coach Lemke, tossed out, "No big deal, Coach. Don't worry. No problem."
"Good, Kevin, 'cause I don't want a problem," Coach Lemke concluded. "Now, let's get out there and get those guys' butts in gear in the pool!" He stood up, and Coach Kevin stood up, and they walked out into the locker room, and then out to the pool. The guys were all in the pool – as they knew to be – but only some of them were working on strokes. Others were wrestling in the water, dunking, splashing, and tackling.
SSTHEEEEEEEET!! Coach Lemke's whistle broke through the horseplay. Immediately, the boys began jumping out of the pool and ran to the shallow end where they assembled on their knees waiting for instructions from the Coach.
"Alright, guys, today we're going to work on the butterfly and dolphin strokes again. As you know, Coach Kevin swims these strokes on the college swim team, and he will demonstrate again how they should be done. Coach Kevin, in the pool."
Kevin dove immediately into the 12' deep end of the pool. His 6'2', long slender frame of 170 lbs was like a sleek cigarette boat gliding through the water. He began the thunderous pull of butterfly strokes that hurled his body along with incredible speed and strength. When he had finished two laps of the pool, he was not even winded. He dove done to the bottom of the deep end, emerging to begin the dolphin stroke.
The dolphin stroke was incredible to behold. Kevin's body slid and his legs kicked in perfect sync to his hammering strokes. Each time his head emerged his greenish-blue eyes were flashing and his blond hair was swept up and back, just before he nose-dived back into the water. This kid was awesome! If only he would grow up.
"There you have it, guys. No better demonstration. Now, everybody, in the pool and lets work on these two strokes. Coach Kevin, you watch and help out with those who need it."
"Okay, Coach," Kevin replied instantly. He crawled out of the side of the pool and squatted alongside, watching the kids working on their strokes. Everyone now and then he would jump back in to demonstrate how it should be done, and take a guys arms or legs to move them as necessary. He had capacity to become a great swimming coach.
The rest of swimming class, Kevin was considerably subdued. Most of the time he was outside the pool, on the side, unless he jumped into demonstrate or correct execution of a stroke.
SSTHEEEEEET!! Coach Lemke's whistle signaled the guys to exit the pool and assemble for instruction before swimming class ended. Two guys, David Moore and Glen Needham, ignored the whistle and were wrestling each other in the deep end.
"You two guys – David and Glen – both of you, NOW, START THE BUTTERFLY DOWN TO THE SHALLOW END! We'll count and time you," Coach Lemke ordered.
It took them 20 seconds and 15 and 17 strokes each to complete the distance.
"Alright, David. That's 25 "lessons" from the old Board of Education here. It's 37 for you Glen. Now, get over here and bend over RIGHT NOW!"
The two boys looked shocked and dismayed, but hurried over to where the coach was standing. Each of them knew that, in their scant swim suits, and wet, this was really going to hurt.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
Rhythmically, Coach Lemke repeatedly fired the paddle against David's behind. After 15, he was shouting and crying, and couldn't stay bent over. He kept jumping around and reaching back to try to put out the blazing torch that was scorching his butt.
"Coach Kevin, come over here and help this boy stay in position," Coach Lemke directed.
The student coach looked surprised, hesitated, but then came over and stood in front of the boy. Bending the boy down in front of him, Coach Kevin placed his hands on the boy's shoulders, forcing and keeping him down in position for Coach Lemke's strokes.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
With thoroughness and unrelenting dispatch, Coach Lemke let the paddle deliver the remaining swats to David Moore's bottom. By that time, he kid was sobbing and screaming; but when it was over and he had stopped jumping around and gasping, he boy hurried back to the rest of the class that was kneeling at the shallow end. They were all completely quiet as they waited for the same punishment to Glen Needham.
Thirty-seven swats later, Glen Needham was choking in his sobs and yelling with pain as he jumped around, after being "assisted" by Coach Kevin's steadying hold. Glen joined the still silent class at the shallow end, and Coach Kevin's eyes were wide and startled as he watched what he had aided -- Coach Lemke's discipline. Then Coach Lemke walked over to conclude class.
"There's only eight minutes left to get changed before class ends, guys. We had some good practice and improvement with the butterfly and dolphin strokes today, thanks especially to Coach Kevin. Now, everybody get changed, and we'll see you back on Wednesday."
The boys fled to the locker room, where it was much quieter than usual. Swim team practice later that afternoon was much smoother and without interruption or distraction as Coach Kevin remained quiet and conformed to the rules that governed practice. Maybe all this kid needed was someone to give him a straightforward warning, without qualification, and he would shape up. Coach Lemke was glad he had decided to do it.
Tuesday afternoon was swim team practice, but the swimming class did not meet again until Wednesday. Wednesday's class came and went without incident, as did Tuesday and Wednesday practice, as the student coach seemed to have realized that his conduct needed to be altered.
Thursday's swim team practice was omitted as the team went to a meet. It was home, so the team had the familiarity of their own pool. Coach Kevin was kind of loose and hyped up over the meet, probably something that usually transpired in him when he was psyched up for swimming competition. His enthusiasm was great – contagious – and he really had the boys on the team fired up for the meet.
When the meet was finished, the team had won 13 of 18 heats, including the 800 meter relay medley. Coach Lemke was very pleased and proud of the boys.
Coach Kevin was bananas! He announced that pizza was on him at the local pizza parlor, after everyone had changed. He took four boys in his own Toyota, and Coach Lemke followed in the school van with the rest of the swim team. As they ate pizza and drank cokes, the boys and Coach Kevin were like fellow members of the same team, laughing, joking, calling out. Coach Lemke could only sit back and smile at how easily this student coach fit in with the juvenile conduct of these high school boys.
Friday afternoon, Coach Lemke was in his office waiting until the boys in the swimming class should be changed and out in the pool. At 1:40 p. m., he walked out and into the locker room. It was empty. A good sign.
Then he walked out to the pool. There was the whole class in the pool, thrashing around as different boys in the class would challenge Coach Kevin at different strokes. He always left them far back. They were teasing each other, and the student coach was joining them in teasing each of his vanquished challengers. They were all hooting and hollering at each other, and Coach Kevin at them.
SSTHEEEEET!!! Coach Lemke blasted the whistle, and the boys jumped, then jumped out of the pool at once, and began heading to the shallow end to assemble for instructions from Coach Lemke. This time, Coach Kevin did not get out, however. Instead, he dove down and began gliding the length of the pool under water until he touched the end and then, turning at the wall, returned still under water gliding back to the deep end.
Well, this kid's reform was sure short-lived. Coach Lemke looked over at the class and they were all distracted, watching Coach Kevin's fish-like movements under the water. When the student coach surfaced, he gulped his first air since diving under, and was smiling, his green-blue eyes flashing with glee.
"ALL RIGHT, COACH KEVIN! START THE DOLPHIN STROKE DOWN TO THE SHALLOW END. WE'LL COUNT AND TIME YOU," Coach Lemke shouted to the young student coach.
Kevin's head snapped around 150 degrees, and with widened eyes, he retorted: "No way."
"You've just earned 10 more. NOW GET STARTED!" Coach Lemke was leaving no doubt and no out.
"YEAHHHHH!!!" the rowdy class of guys erupted. The idea that their student coach was going to be subject to their same discipline caught fire among them.
Coach Kevin's eyes narrowed as he stared at Coach Lemke for a few seconds. Then, he dove into the water and began the pounding rhythm of his repeated dolphin strokes. In 10 seconds, and 15 powerful strokes, he was at the shallow end, and crawled out swiftly. Turning around, he stood staring at Coach Lemke.
"Come on, Coach Kevin. Let's get to it. We've got a class to instruct."
A shudder crossed the young student coach, and he turned to walk away, ignoring Coach Lemke's directions.
"Kevin, that just doubled it for you. Now you better get over here RIGHT NOW!"
The student coach turned around instantly, his eyes wide again, his mouth opened, as if he couldn't believe what was happening. Then, slowly he walked around the shallow end and over to the side where Coach Lemke was standing.
In the passing seconds, Coach Lemke walked over, picked up the paddle – the Board of Education – and stood there holding it as Coach Kevin walked up to him.
"Look, Coach, there's no way," the student coach spoke to him softly, but earnestly.
"Sorry, Kevin, but you were warned. Now, BEND OVER."
"Coach, this is not right . . . , and it's not necessary either," the student coach extemporized. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"COACH KEVIN, YOU HEARD ME!" Coach Lemke shouted right at him. "YOU SURE WILL BE SORRY, I GUARANTEE YOU THAT! AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVER AGAIN. NOW, BEND OVER RIGHT NOW!"
Kevin couldn't believe it. He was going to be paddled, like one of these kids, in front of them. He drew in a deep breath and reached to grab the paddle away from Coach Lemke's grasp.
Like the lightning strike of a snake, Coach Lemke's left arm encircled a headlock over the student coach's neck, pulling him to the Coach's left and bending him over. At 44 years, Coach Lemke was like a bull elk: 6'1", 240 lbs of sold muscle from weight-lifting, swimming, and running. Kevin was trapped in a vice-like grip.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
Wow! That many swats surprised him, coming at once, again and again, speedy and stinging! Quickly he went from grunts and moans to yelps and shouts.
"OOAAAMPH! UMMPHAA!! OOUMPHAA!! AAAAHUGH!! AAIIEEAUGH!! OOOAAAAH!! OOAAUMMMPH!!! OOOOAHOW!!! AIEEAAHOW!! CUT IT OUT, COACH!! AAIIYEEOWW!! OWAAOUCH!! WAIT! OOO-AHHYOWW!! WAIT! COACH!! NOOO-UHAHHHYOW! UH-NO-NO-AHEEEYOW!! STOP!! YEEEOWWW!! STOP!! COACH!! WAIT!! YOWOWOWWWW!! STOPSTOPSTOP!!! IT HURTS! IT HURRRRTS!! OOOAAYOWEEEYOWEEEOWWWW!!!"
Despite being locked in Coach Lemke's clamp, Kevin was pushing, pulling, twisting, and jumping as much as his powerful legs would enable him. Coach Lemke simply began backing across the pool area, taking the bent-over student coach with him. Kevin could only see the pool deck as the coach dragged him along. Suddenly, Coach Lemke reached the coach's stool and sat down. At once the vice around Kevin's neck released, as Coach Lemke dragged the student coach across his lap.
"WHOOOAAAH!! WOWWW!! GOOOO! COACH!!!! GOOOO!! COACH!!!" the class of guys erupted in astonishment!
With the young student coach's head down near the floor back of Coach Lemke's left hip, he grabbed Kevin's right arm pulling up and back towards his neck, and almost causing his head to hit the cement deck, as only his left hand balanced him. Coach Kevin's wet, thinly covered bottom was in front, with his feet nearly off the floor.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
The next 53 swats blistered Coach Kevin's rear-end, stoking the fire with hotter, flaming intensity. He was thrashing about, bucking, bouncing, kicking, squirming, trying to avoid the relentless paddle that Coach Lemke wielded over and over against his behind. His butt was a blazing fire, and he was wailing, sobbing, crying out, gasping and choking to try to catch his breath, in between sobs and attempts to speak.
"OOOAAAYOWWWW!! OUCHOOO-OWOWOWWWW!! YOWOWOWWW!! NOOOO-UH, COACH-UH-NOOO! YEEOWOWOWEEEE!!! COACH!! COACH!! UH-UH-STOP!!! COACH!!! OWOOO!! YEEAIIEEEYOWWW!! NO-NO-NOOO!!! STOP!! OOOO-UH-OWWW! IT HURTS! IT HURTS!! STOP!! AUGH-UH-UH YEOWOWOW!! OWWWWOWOWWWW!! NOOOO!! STOP!! YEEOWOWOWWW!! COACH! AHH-COACH! I'M SORRY!! OWOWOWWWW! COACH! I'M SORRY-I'M SORRY! I'M-AH OOOOO-AH-YOWWWWW!!! PLEASE-PLEASE-STOPPA-STOPPA-OOOOAAAAH!!! OWEEEYOWEEEYOWWWW!!! I SAID I'M SORRRREEEE!! PUH-LEEEZE!!! PUH-LEEEEZE!! OOOAAYOWWW!! UH-UH-STOP!! OOOOOO-UH-UH-NOOOOO!!! NO MORE!! YOWWWWAAAAH! P-PLEASE, COACH!! NO-UH-UH-MOOOOOORE!!! YOWWEEEYOWWWEEEYOWWWW!!! I'M SORRY!!! I MEAN IT! OOO-AA-OWWCHAAA!!! NONONONONOAAA!!! COACH!! COACH!! YEEEOWOWOWEEE!! UH-UH-UGHAAA-YOWWWW!!! COACH!! I MEAN IT!! OOOOO-AAAAH-NOOOOO!!! PLEASE-PLEASE-PALEEEZE! YOW-OW-OW-OWWWW!!! IT'S HURTING COACH!! STOP!! YEEOWOWOWWWW!!! IT'S HURTING-UH-UH-HURTING!! SOOOOO-UH-UH-BAD!!! AIEYOWEEYOWEEEEEAIII!!! UH-UH-AUGH-UH-UH! I'M UH-UH-OWW! SORRREEEE!!! OOOO-AH-YOWOWOWWW!!! C-COACH! UH-C-COACH!! I'LL BE GOOD!! UH-UH-UH-YEEEOWWWW!!! I PROMISE!!! YAIKSEEEYOWOWOWWW!! OOOOO-UH-UH-I PROMISE!! WOWOWOWWWOOOO-AHHHH!! COACH! COACH! WAIT!! YEEE-UH-OW-UH-OWWW!! I PROMISE, COACH!!! AIUGH-UH-UH-OOOO-AH-YOWWW! I PROMISE!! NEVER AGAIN!! UH-UH-UAUGH! I PROMISE!!! OOOO-UH-UH-AAAAEEEYOWWWW!!! COACH, I'LL BE GOOD!!! NEVER AGAIN!! OOOO-AH-YOWEEEYOWEEEYOWWW!! N-NEVER!! UH-UH-I PROMISSSSSE!! AH-UGH-YOWWWW!! OOOO-UH-UH-UH-NOOOO!!! NOOOO-UH-UH-YOWWWWW!!! UH-UH-N-NEVER!! EEEYOWWWW!!! NOOOOO-UH-UH-MOOOORE!!! UH-UH-UH-N-N-NOOOOO!! N-NEVER!! STOP IT!! P-PLEEEEZE!!! OOOO-UAGH-OWOWOWWW!! YOWEEEYOWEEEEYOWWW!!! AIUGH-UH-UH-YAUCH-YAUCH-UH-UH-OOOO-AH-YOWWWW!! EEEEYOWWWEEEEYOWWWEEEEYOWWW!!! UH-UH-AUGH-AUGH-UH-UH-UH!! OOOOWOOOO-OOOOWOOOO-OWWWW!!! P-PUH-LEEEZE!! YEEEOWOWOWWW!! PUH-LEEEZE! I PROMISE!! NOOAA!! UH-UH-YOWWWW!!"
"That's only half, Kevin." Coach Lemke spoke softly, finally halting the pommeling paddle that had ignited and inflamed his backside. Coach Lemke sat there, looking at the silent, shocked stares of the class, as the young student coach lay quivering, sobbing and gulping, dangling and draped across the head coach's lap. When his gasps and sobs had begun to subside, Coach Lemke spoke again, softly but firmly.
"Kevin, you go wait in my office until class is over. I'll be in to finish up after that."
"OOOOAHH-UH-UH-NOOO!!!" the young student coach howled. But, without looking around, he stiffly hurried barefoot out of the pool area, through the locker room, and into Coach Lemke's office, closing the door tightly.
The rest of swimming class was a model of decorum and scrupulous hard effort by every guy in the class. Coach Lemke deliberately kept them later, leaving them only about 5 minutes to get changed and out of the locker room, in order to avoid anybody hanging around to hear the rest of the student coach's education session.
Coach Lemke stood in the locker room until every kid had changed, stored his swim suit and towel, and left. Then, with a deep sigh, he turned and walked towards his office. Turning the knob, he quickly, but quietly, opened the door to spot Kevin standing still, his head hanging down towards the floor, still heaving and whimpering muffled sobs. This kid was almost broken. He just needed to be taken down now to the point of knowing that there was no other out, no other option, and that anytime he misbehaved in the future, he would have to expect the same thing.
"All right, Kevin." Coach Lemke walked over to the young student coach and gently grabbed the back of his neck. "Let's get this over with, son."
"OOOO-AH, COACH!! PLEASE!!! NO MORE!!"
Coach Lemke walked to his chair, sat down, and tapped his leg gesturing the student coach to resume his position across the head coach's knees.
"NOOO! I CAN'T! I WON'T! NO MORE – PLEASE!!!"
"That just earned you 10 more, Kevin."
Dutifully, but reluctantly, Kevin walked over to the right of Coach Lemke's lap.
"P-PLEASE, COACH! DON'T . . . AAAAA-UH-NOOO!!!" he exclaimed as the head coach hauled him over his lap and adjusted him further forward, to be balanced across Coach Lemke's lap. Once again, Coach Lemke seized the young coach's right arm, pulling it up towards his neck, and pushing him down towards the floor at the same time. Then, Coach Lemke reached into his right upper desk drawer, and pulled out a thick, old leather belt. With his right hand, he grabbed the student coach's tight swim suit, and yanked it down to his knees.
"AAAIEEUGHAA! NOOOOO!!!" Kevin protested futilely.
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The leather belt bit his behind and upper thighs over and over again, as Kevin screamed, and jumped and bumped on Coach Lemke's legs.
CRACK! "Young man," CRACK! "I want you to remember" CRACK! "this the rest" CRACK! "of your life." CRACK! Coach Lemke began lecturing him throughout the spanking.
"You've got a lot" CRACK! "of potential" CRACK! "kid!" CRACK! "A lot" CRACK! "of potential!" CRACK! "But" CRACK! "you have got" CRACK! "to change" CRACK! "your behavior" CRACK! "and your attitude" CRACK! "to shape up!" CRACK! "fast!" CRACK! "You probably" CRACK! "haven't gotten" CRACK! "this" CRACK! "enough" CRACK! "in the past," CRACK! "but you sure" CRACK! "need it now!" CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The young student coach was at the point of exhaustion and hysteria. He couldn't even think about the spanking itself, as the biting of the belt was a constant barrage that made his mind spin and swirl, while his body shot and surged with each lash, and his howling was choked by gasping sobs and shrieks. Still the blows of the belt continued. Only now Coach Lemke was snapping the belt faster and faster, and harder and harder.
CRACKCRACKCRACKCRACKCRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACKCRACKCRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACKCRACKCRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACKCRACKCRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACK! CRACKCRACKCRACK! CRAAACK!! CRAAACK!! CRAAAAAAACKK!!!!
Coach Lemke finished off with a powerful trio – but Kevin had succumbed long before those, and the only sign of their power was the extra spurt and rolling of his body over the head coach's legs. He was heaving and sobbing, almost strangling with his own choking, gasping, gulping, and yelling. No longer was there any trace of the rowdy, unruly young man who behaved as if he could be disobedient with indulgence and impunity. He was just a bad boy who had received the whipping that had been coming to him – and overdue -- for some time.
Coach Lemke let him hang there a long while, until the young student coach could recover some measure of control over his breathing, his wailing, and his body. Looking up at the clock in his office, Coach Lemke was astonished to see that it was almost 4 o'clock. The boys swim team would have arrived by now for practice. His attention became focused on the locker room outside. It was strangely still.
Outside Coach Lemke's office, in the locker room, the guys on the swim team had assembled without even beginning to change into their swim suits. Word of the first half of Coach Kevin's spanking early in the swimming class – and the rest to follow afterwards – had spread like wildfire around the school. The boys on the swim team had raced to the locker room to find out if it was true. Then, hearing the methodical kissing of Coach Lemke's old, leather belt as it smacked Coach Kevin's backside and upper thighs, and the student coach's screams amidst strangulating gags, sobs, and gulps, the boys sat listening silently.
At last, Coach Lemke reach down under Kevin's chest and underarms, and lift him up off the head coach's lap. He put the belt back into the desk drawer, as the young student coach stood there shaking, quaking, and gasping over suppressed sobs, his face streaked with many tears, his lips and chin continuing to quiver.
"Pull up your swim suit, son."
Kevin reached down, and wincing, pulled his swim suit gingerly back up over his buttocks.
"You wait here until I get the team out into the pool," Coach Lemke commanded. "Then you can change back to your street clothes and head on out without attention. This is the President's Day weekend, so you'll have a little extra time to recover before classes resume on Tuesday. But I want you to remember everything that has taken place here today: what has happened to you -- and why! And what I've told you! I'll be here for a short while, Monday morning, checking the pool. I want to see you then, and we will see if this matter is settled and concluded. Be here by 8:30 at the latest! Do you understand me, young man?"
"Y-yes, sir, Coach," the student coach stammered, looking at him through teary, reddened eyes.
"Alright, then. When the boys are out in the pool, you take off, and I'll see you here Monday, 8:30 – and no later! Hear?"
"Uh-y-yes, sir, uh-uh, Coach," Kevin sputtered.
Coach Lemke got up, opened the door firmly, walked out of his office, and slammed the door behind him.
"What's the problem here, fellahs? Does this team need an instructional session with the Board of Education?" he asked, pointing to the paddle hanging by his door in the locker room.
"NO, SIR!!!" the guys outshouted each other, as they jumped up and began tearing shoes, socks, shirts, and pants off, to get into their swim suits and out to the pool as fast as they could move.
"You boys know better than to sit around still dressed, and not be changed and in the pool. Now GET MOVING!!"
"YES, SIR!!" they shouted in unison.
When they had emptied the locker room, Coach Lemke walked back in and over to his office door. Opening it, he called in to the student coach who was still standing barefoot, in his swim suit, with faint tremors and muted sobs.
"Okay, Kevin, come on out and go ahead and leave now," Coach Lemke ordered.
The young student coach walked woodenly out the door, past the head coach, and over to the locker that he occupied during this student teaching stint. Opening the lock, he carefully pulled off his swim suit and pulled on a t-shirt. With painfully tender care, he stepped uncomfortably into his briefs and pulled them on. Then, with delicate sensitivity, he pulled his jeans on and up over the aching, throbbing wound that was his behind.
Finally, he stuffed his swim suit and towel into his athletic bag, stepped into his running shoes, without socks; and pulled on his jacket. He closed the locker door, locking it, and carrying his athletic bag he walked unevenly out the locker room door and out to his car. He struggled to get in and sit down tolerably, as he started the engine and drove off.
The swim team's practice was pretty intense and focused, as no one wanted to risk misbehaving and the consequences it could bring. Everybody spent 100% energy in working on their strokes and practice heats. No one asked about Coach Kevin, and after practice they cleared out of the locker room at top speed.
On Monday morning, at 8:20, Kevin McDonahue walked haltingly into the pool area, where Coach Lemke was checking the pool chemicals. Slowly he approached Coach Lemke, who was completing his examination, and suddenly looked up to see the young student coach standing less than two feet from him. He was wearing a windbreaker, t-shirt, jeans, and running shoes.
"Good morning, Kevin. I'm glad to see you're on time – early actually. That's a good sign for a new start, I hope." He stood up, facing Kevin.
"Yes, sir, Coach," he replied. "I'm here like you told me, and . . . " he hesitated. "And I want to tell you I learned my lesson. Ah, . . ." more hesitation, "and, I'm sorry, Coach – really, really sorry. No more being out-of-line, . . . ah, I promise. . . . and, Coach, . . . I mean it -- really."
"Well, Kevin, I'm glad to hear it, and I accept your apology. If you've really learned a lesson, that's the end of it, son," Coach Lemke reassured him. "But if not, then there'll be more sessions of instruction with the Board of Education! Understood, young man?"
"Yes, sir! Coach!" Kevin responded at once.
"Good, then, son," Coach Lemke replied, and taking the student coach's right arm, he turned him around, facing the door, and gave him a swat on the bottom of his jeans. The kid jumped like someone had lit the wick of a firecracker to his behind.
"Go on home, Kevin, and rest on your stomach for the rest of the day. You've got to be back in your swim suit tomorrow afternoon."
"Okay, Coach. Right," the student coach agreed enthusiastically. Then he walked out, through the locker room to the parking lot, where he cautiously got back in and drove off.
Beginning Tuesday afternoon, Coach Kevin was an altogether different student coach – different young man – amidst the stunned stares of the kids in his swimming class and on the high school swim team. In the teachers' lounge, the coaches were laughingly congratulating Coach Lemke – and each other – as they listened to him recount Coach Kevin's lesson from the Board of Education.