DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Jack's House
HTML https://jackshouse.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: It Happened One Christmas
*****************************************************
#Post#: 16181--------------------------------------------------
3 December 2019 - It Happened One Christmas Chapter Three
By: Jack Date: December 2, 2019, 4:54 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]
HTML https://funkyimg.com/i/2ZaeJ.png[/center]
[center]
HTML https://funkyimg.com/i/2ZcRa.png[/center]
Bailey felt sick to his stomach as his father maneuvered the car
out of the school parking lot. The silence felt oppressive.
Bailey wanted to say something, wanted to explain, wanted to
know what his father had been told. He even opened his mouth,
but he just couldn’t find the proper words to break the silence.
Jefferson Stewart stopped at the stop sign at the end of the
block, checked all ways, then turned. Once he was on the main
street, he accelerated.
Bailey leaned back. The leather seats were comfortable against
his sore rear, but his father had the seat heaters on, and he
wasn’t sure if the warmth was comfortable or uncomfortable.
As Jeff reached the speed limit and stopped accelerating, he
said, without looking at his son, “Do you want to explain to me
what happened?”
Bailey winced at his father’s cold tone.
“I don’t know,” Bailey said, upset at the whine in his voice,
but unable to prevent it.
“What did you do with the money, Bailey?”
“Nothing! I don’t know what happened to it. I told Mr. Potter,
but he still…”
“Mr. Potter paddled you for gross negligence, son, which you
deserved. Now I want to know what happened to the money,” his
father snapped.
Bailey winced, but he didn’t know what else to say. He knew his
father hated when he repeated himself, but he honestly didn’t
know what had happened.
“Dad, please… I didn’t take it.”
“Then what happened to it,” his father said, turning to glance
at him briefly. Jeff Stewart wasn’t yelling, but his voice had
dropped to a low growl which made Bailey even more nervous than
yelling would have.
They turned while Bailey tried to think of what to say, then
turned again.
“I put it in my backpack, Dad. It was in the front pocket, and
I never touched it last night, since there was no homework. I
only took a few papers out of the big pocket to put in
notebooks. I swear that’s all.”
Another turn, and they were driving down the street towards
their home. Mr. Stewart had been silent for a long moment,
before he turned towards his son again.
“Bailey, I don’t give you unlimited money, because I want you to
learn how to budget and plan…”
“I know, Dad.”
“.... but I try to make sure you have everything you need and
most of what you want….”
He paused, as if giving Bailey a chance to interrupt him again,
but only for a second.
“I don't know why you thought you needed this money so bad….”
“I didn’t take it!” Bailey nearly screamed.
His father was silent until they pulled into their driveway.
“I have to go back to work, Mister. I’m already behind because
of this. You need to think about what you’re saying, and you
need to think about your attitude. Your chores better be done
and done right before I get home. No phone, no video games, no
friends, no nothing, and don’t go anyplace.. And it won’t hurt
your case if you find something constructive to keep you busy,
because right now, when I get home, I’m planning to give you the
worst whupping you’ve ever had.”
“But, Dad...” Bailey tried to protest, but his father cut him
off.
“No more, Bailey. I’m not going to sit here and listen to you
keep saying ‘I don't’ know.’ I have to get back to work, so you
get in the house right now.”
[center]
HTML https://funkyimg.com/i/2Zaef.png[/center]
#Post#: 16182--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3 December 2019 - It Happened Once Christmas Chapter 3
By: afinch Date: December 2, 2019, 5:19 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Poor Bailey. I can't imagine being his age and having everyone
decide you're guilty when you're not. Of course, if he IS
guilty, that's another story, but I'm pretty sure it isn't the
one being told. Anxiously awaiting Part 4.
#Post#: 16187--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3 December 2019 - It Happened Once Christmas Chapter 3
By: kalico Date: December 3, 2019, 1:20 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Aww poor Bailey
Hugs kal
#Post#: 16192--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3 December 2019 - It Happened Once Christmas Chapter 3
By: Zyngaru Date: December 3, 2019, 10:22 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I'm on Bailey's side in this one. I've been there when
circumstantial evidence said I did something, when I didn't.
The problem for me as it is with Bailey, there is no explanation
as to what really happened, because neither of us knew. In my
case, the truth came out. long after I had been whupped soundly
and it looks like Bailey might be in for the same consequences.
I'm not even sure the paddling for negligence was called for at
this stage of the story. It sounds like he did due diligence in
securing the money. At least to me. One would think it safe
when in your private belongings.
One would also think your parent would believe you, when you
tell them "You don't know." Unfortunately, I haven't found a
parent that accepts "I don't know" as an answer. I do
understand Bailey's father believing what the adults at the
school told him. That's also what adults do. They believe
other adults over what kids say. Again, I know first hand. I
got whuppings because of what a neighbor said about me, which
were lies. But because she was an adult, my dad believed her,
well until my mom caught her in a lie. My parents discovered
she got some kind of sadistic pleasure in getting us boys
whipped.
On Bailey's case, I wonder if he has a history of stealing or
lying? If he does, then I can see how his dad would wonder, but
if he doesn't, and it seems like if he was made class treasurer,
he wouldn't have a history of this sort of thing, then why
doesn't dad try and help Bailey figure this thing out?
Yep. Part 4 should be interesting.
#Post#: 16196--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3 December 2019 - It Happened Once Christmas Chapter 3
By: Adric Date: December 3, 2019, 1:16 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I can imagine how Bailey would feel about the presumption of
guilt. It would make the punishment seem much worse than if he
were actually guilty (which I assume he isn't). Maybe something
will clarify what happened to the money before Jeff gets home
for the second round of punishment. Looking forward to Ch 4.
#Post#: 16199--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3 December 2019 - It Happened Once Christmas Chapter 3
By: Jack Date: December 3, 2019, 4:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Zyngaru link=topic=1596.msg16192#msg16192
date=1575390173]
On Bailey's case, I wonder if he has a history of stealing or
lying? If he does, then I can see how his dad would wonder, but
if he doesn't, and it seems like if he was made class treasurer,
he wouldn't have a history of this sort of thing, then why
doesn't dad try and help Bailey figure this thing out?
Yep. Part 4 should be interesting.
[/quote]
Because of the total length of stories, but also considering
where it feels most comfortable for me to take a break, some
chapters are going to be much shorter than others. Having said
that, I think a number of your questions will be answered and
points will be addressed soon.
I should also point out that he's only club treasurer, not class
treasurer, though your point does still have a certain validity.
#Post#: 16210--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3 December 2019 - It Happened Once Christmas Chapter 3
By: David M. Katz Date: December 4, 2019, 12:48 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Feeling badly for Bailey and upset that his dad isn't on his
side.
[emoji320]
#Post#: 16292--------------------------------------------------
Re: 3 December 2019 - It Happened Once Christmas Chapter 3
By: db105 Date: December 8, 2019, 7:51 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Poor Bailey. We haven't been explicitly told he is innocent, but
it seems implied in the way he's reacting. I'm not sure why
everyone is convinced he has stolen the money. Maybe he lost it
or someone else took it.
*****************************************************