Robert James Williams was fifteen years old. He had a lot to be thankful for. His father was a rich and successful business man, a Managing Director in a Insurance Company in the city. Robert went to an exclusive school where the rich and the famous sent their sons. His school uniform was a white shirt with a school tie, a blazer, long dark gray trousers and black leather shoes shined to a Tee by their Mrs Mops. Robert's mother and younger by two years, sister, lived in another house on the other side of the city, his parents having separated a year earlier. Robert didn'' know the reason why and he was half afraid to talk to his father about it.
His mother when he went to her for one weekend a month had told him, ""Ask your father," and would say no more.
Lately his father was working late at the office often, and after Robert got home from school there would be a message left on the hall table, ' Go to Macs for dinner as I'll be home late.'
One Friday evening his father tapped on Robert's bedroom door. Robert was already in bed having finished his homework and the time being 10.00pm. "Son I've got to talk to you, can I come in." His father was always polite.
"Yes Dad," glad he hadn't started his nightly wank. He pushed the Penthouse magazine he had got from an older cousin under his pillow.
His father came into the room. "Robert what I have got to say is serious. I want you to listen first and then ask questions later if you wish."
"Ok Dad."
"As you know over the last month I have been late at the office. What has happened is that I have made some bad investments and all our money is gone. So we will have a big change in lifestyles. By selling this house I will be able to pay back what I owe to the bank and have just enough left over for a small two bedroom apartment in one of the new developements. You will have to change schools as well, as there is no money for the fees at your present school. Your mother and sister are ok as I paid for the house that they live in and as you know your mother is a very good teacher, so they will be alright. As well, if what I have just told you is not enough, the company has been taken over, so I have got to look for a new job. Do you have any questions?"
"Will I be still living with you Dad?"
"I am very happy to hear you ask that son. The answer is yes, if you want to. Your mother and I have talked and if you wish, she is happy to have you with her while things settle down. It may be a good idea because I have already talked to your Headmaster and explained what has happened. You will finish the current term, there is only two weeks to go, and then next term you will be enrolled at the school where your mother teaches. It is by coincidence because the Head didn't know your mother teaches there, but he told me the standards are high and they keep good discipline."
At Robert's current school they also had a strict discipline regime, but the cane was hardly used as all the teachers were welll paid and gifted, the boys usually wanted to learn. Sure, there were a few canings, but only one or two a term. So far Robert hadn't been caned and in fact he couldn't remember being spanked since he was about seven years old.
Robert and his father talked a litle more about general household things, and then his father turning said, "I'll leave you to do whatever you were doing before I came in, goodnight son."
"Goodnight Dad," Robert could feel his face burn as he wondered if his Dad knew he had a 'raging hardon' under the bed clothes. The bedroom door shut softly behind his father and Robert turned back to his magazine.........
The next two weeks flew by, Robert was embroiled in end of term examinations and then the term ended for the normal three week break. He was sad that he was leaving the school and he promised his close friends that he would keep in touch once things settled down. On that last day he went home to the house that had been home for fourteen of his sixteen years for the last time. It had already been sold and a lot of the furniture had been sold off, his father keeping only enough for the new apartment. On Saturday he was going to take his clothes and some of his books and all his school stuff to his mothers, while his father shifted to the new apartment. Robert hated the new place, it was small and poky after the spacious house he was used to. His new bedroom was just big enough to house his bed and his chest of drawers and a small desk so he could do his homework.
He had complained, "Its not big enough to swing a cat in Dad."
"I know son, but at the moment it is all I can afford. As I said a couple of weeks ago we are lucky to have a roof over our heads. You will have to work at keeping it clean and help preparing meals, washing dishes, all those type of chores as there is no more Mrs Mops."
On Saturday he moved out of the house and his father drove him to his mothers home. His father and mother seemed to get on fine for brief periods, but after an hour the tension in the room got too much and his father said, "I going now, I'll come and get you in a month."
"Sure I can't come and help you shift Dad?"
"No son, you stay here with your mother."
For the first week of the holidays all went well. Roberts mother left him to his own devices. One morning in the second week a bomb was dropped on Robert's world. They were at the breakfast table.
"Robert you and I are going into the village this morning, (his mother called the little shopping centre in the suburb she lived in 'the village') you need a uniform for school, what you have is totallly unsuitable for your new school."
His sister Alison smiled at him, "Robert you know that at school you've got to wear shorts."
"What?" with a rising voice. "I haven't worn shorts except at the beach in summer, since I was twelve, and I am not starting now."
"Robert," his mother said, "You will do as you are told. At your new school the boys all wear shorts and that is what you will wear also."
"I _d_a_m_n_ed well am not wearing shorts," the last couple of words were almost a shout.
"Young man, you will not use that tone of voice or that language to me. This is a warning. Next time you speak to me like that you will be punished and punished soundly. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mum, but do I really have to wear shorts to school?"
"You do, and there will be no more carrying on." Their mother stood up. "Be ready at 10am, until then tidy up your room it looks like a tip since you came here. I want to see a major improvement before we go out." She left the dinning nook and went back to her bedroom.
"I say Ally, what does she mean by punished soundly?"
"Well, since she has gone back to teaching, she has a strap with two tails that she uses on third and fourth form boys at school. Usually on their palms if it is a mixed class, but if it is a 'all boys class, she has them bend over and gives it to them on their behinds. I've seen her belt a couple of boys on the hands and they are just about crying when they returned to their desks."
"How do you know about them getting it on the bum then?"
"My friend Patricia has a twin brother John that is in the A stream and Mum has him for English. He was playing up in class and aparantly she warned him and a couple of minutes latter he did something stupid so she marched him to the front of the class told him to bend over and gave him four whacks. He was crying when he stood up."
"That bloody sucks....."
"What did I just say about your language Robert?" Their mother was standing unnoticed at the door. You and I have an appointment in your room after we get back from the village. Now get to your room and tidy it up right away. I don't want any more nonsense about wearing or not wearing shorts."
Robert feeling his face burn with resentment and humiliation left his sister abruptly and went to his room shutting the door loudly, not quite a slam. He started tidying the room, by putting his books in a neat pile on the desk and then looked around the room. He sat on the bed which was unmade. His clothes that he had worn were laying about the floor, while those that his mother had washed were folded neatly on top of the chest of drawers. This room was much bigger than the room that was going to be his at the new apartment, yet before he had thought that it was small after the spacious bedroom at his old home. He sat on the bed felling sorry for himself.
Next thing he heard his mother calling through the door, "Robert are you ready to go out?"
"Coming Mum." He quickly pulled on a shirt and his new Levi Jeans, ran a comb through his hair and opened the bedroom door. His mother was waiting by the front door.
"We will walk Robert, you have been lazing around enough, the exercise will do you good." Without another word she set off at a brisk pace to the local shops two kilomtres away. When they got to the village, she led the way to one of the bigger shops. On the shop's façade and on the windows were the words 'Darcys Mens Outfitters'. Painted on the windows in poster paint were legends of the various specials.
His mother led the way into the shop. Robert normally liked going shopping for clothes. His father usually told him, 'Get what you need and put it on my account,' and as long as he didn't buy anything too outlandish, said nothing. This shop like the one in the city had that exciting smell of new cloth and there was something else also, but he couldn't recognise the smell.
A young assistant came up, "Can I help you?"
"Yes, I want a complete uniform for Bexley College for my son here, please."
"What is your waist size?" And seeing Robert look blank said, "turn around and I'll get an idea from the tab on your jeans."
His mother interrupted, "Measure his waist."
"Ofcourse madam." He produced a tape measure and quickly put it around Roberts waist and then his chest. Saying nothing more he went over to the shelves and started selecting items placing them on the counter. "Do you want standard issue Madam?"
Yes, but just run through it. My son has just come to stay with me for a month and he is changing schools."
"Five shirts, two shorts winter, two shorts summer, sports shorts, a pullover (jersey) and five pairs of school socks and two pairs of sports socks. I have made the shirts and shorts a size bigger than he is at the moment, so he has room to grow."
Robert stared at the growing pile of clothes in horror. Next thing he heard his mother say.
"Can he try a shirt and shorts just to make sure they are not too big.?"
"Certainly Madam. The dressing room is just over here," picking up some shorts and a shirt from the stack he had placed on the counter, he led the way to a cubicle that had a curtained front. "Pop in there Sir." He handed a pair of shorts and a shirt to Robert.
Robert stood looking at the clothes in horror. His mother getting impatient said, "Come on try them on, we haven't got all day." Robert slowly went into the cubicle and pulled the curtain to behind him. He slipped down his jeans and then taking off his shirt took the new grey shirt on and started to button it up slowly. Next thing the curtained opened behind him and his mother stood there.
"Robert I have already told you to hurry up," and looking at his boxers that he wore under his jeans, "You are not wearing those to school, I will get you briefs and singlets. I really don't know what your father has been letting you get away with. Now get a move on." With that she swept off to the counter taking the young assistant with her and through Robert's embarrasment he could hear her ordering singlets and Jockey underpants.
By the time she got back to the cubicle Robert had the hated shorts on and he was made to parade for her and the assistant before being ordered back into the cubicle to try on the sports shorts. These were of white cotton. His mother approved of everything and then telling the assistant to bundle up the jeans and shirt he had worn to the shop, ordered Robert to carry everything home.
Horrified he stared at her. "Mum, please let me wear my jeans home."
"Young man, I have had enough of your whinging, you are already going to be punished when we get home and if you don't do as you are told you will be punished more."
Without another word Robert stood by his mother bright red with embarrasment as she paid for everything by writing out a cheque and then the assistant gave Robert the parcel and he and his mother left the shop.
On the way home not much was said by either. Robert was getting tired from carrying the parcel ofhis new uniform so he was glad to be home. He was also glad that none of his friends had seen him wearing shorts, specially the short sports shorts. When they got inside the house he carried the parcel to his room.
"Robert I will be in to see you directly. I want you to wait quietly in your room reflecting on what you have done today."
Robert started to unpack the parcel. He laid all the new clothes out on his bed neatly and was wondering whether or not to put his jeans on. He hung the shirt that he had worn to the shop that morningon a hanger and put it in the wardrobe. Just then his bedroom door opened and his mother came in. In her hand she was carrying the belt that his sister Alison had told him about. He looked at her in horror saying nothing suddenly wishing he had put his thick new jeans on as soon as he got home.
"Robert this room is a disgrace. At least you have put your new uniform neatly on the bed, but the rest of the room is in a shocking state. The bed should be made and all these clothes on the floor should be put out to wash. Tidy up imediately while I watch. Then put your uniform into the chest of drawers neatly, don't jam them in." At last the room was in a satisfactory state. "Now your room is to be kept like this at all times. Your father can't afford a maid anymore so you have got to look after yourself. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mum."
"Right, you are going to be punished for swearing after being warned about your language and also for not following instructions to have your room tidy before we went out. You need some discipline so that you think before you say and do things that upset others. I want you to go over by the chest of drawers and face the window and bend over and touch your toes. By the way have you had the cane at school?"
Robert going over to the chest of drawers turned to his mother hopefully thinking there was going to be a reprieve, turned to her, No Mum."
"Well, since you haven't been properly punished since you were small I will let you keep your shorts on, now bend over."
Robert did as he was instructed, being fit he was able to bend easily, his legs when viewed from the back were straight down from buttock to ankle. His mother was now behind him. He could feel the sports shorts tight against his bum, and was absolutely horrified to see that they had ridden up to the top of his thighs as he had bent over. From his upside down world he saw his mother shift her weight and sort of swivel at the waist. There was a loud crack that seemed to echo around the room followed by a band of fire across his rump.
'God that stings, even through shorts' raced through his mind. 'What would it be like on underpants or worse on the bare bum.' His mind racing with other thoughts as well was interuppted by another band of fire, this time slightly lower. He winced.
"You have four more of those to come Robert. Try to take what you have earned like a man, not a boy."
The belt cracked down twice more in rapid succession. To Roberts utter humiliation although he had not cried out, he could feel tears starting to trickle out of his eyes while his poor bum felt as though it was on fire. The last two strokes landed. The fifth on the lower slope of the buttocks just above the thighs and the sixth on top of that. Robert grunted as the last stroke landed.
"Stand up."
Robert stood turned away from his mother, hating her, hoping that she had not seen his tears.
"Son I did not like doing that, but as I said earlier you have got to learn to take the consequences of your actions. Your life has changed first with our divorce and now with the change in your fathers job and lifestyle. You have got to live with the changes that life forces upon you, sure sometimes it is beyond your control, but you are old enough to accept change without acting like a child. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Still facing away from his mother he mumbled, Yes Mum."
"Right this incident is forgotten, you can stay here for a while, but at 11.30 you can come and help get lunch ready." His mother left the room.
He looked at his watch, it was five minutes to eleven. His bum was burning, it felt as though he had sat on a stove hotplate. He gently rubbed it through his shorts, all of a sudden his _c_o_c_k_ was fighting to get free of its confined space in the tight shorts. Checking that the door was properly closed he eased down the shorts and then his boxers and looked over his shoulder trying to see his bum, but could nothing. His _c_o_c_k_ was so hard it was almost touching his belly. Forgetting about his burning bottom, he grabbed his rigid tool and started stroking it, he had hardly touched it when it errupted shooting cum across the carpet. He quickly grabbed a dirty hankerchief and wiped up the mess he had just made. Then quickly hauled up his boxers and shorts in case his mother or sister came into the room. He buried the dirty hankerchief into the hamper with the other dirty clothes and went to the the bed and flopped down only to leap up as his bum made contact with even that soft surface. Next he sat gently and laid down on his back, then rolled onto his stomch and reaching back with his hands tried rubbing the burning sting out of his bum. He wondered what it would be like getting the cane from a man .............