He opened a drawer in his desk and drew out a strap.

A piece of leather two or three feet long, brown and smooth on one side, pale and rough on the other.

It had a silver coloured ring sewn into it at one end.

He walked around the desk folding the strap, doubling it over – and handed it to me.

I looked at that thing and I was scared.

More scared than I’d ever been in my life.

I looked at that strap and I saw a weapon – a weapon that had been specifically manufactured to hurt me.

“Dean, I am going to ask you a very serious question, now.

Before I do, I want you to understand this. I will not punish a boy who didn’t know what he was doing was wrong.

But I also expect boys to accept punishment if they deserve it, honestly.

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