There was a mirror in the room. I glanced at myself in it – hands on knees, tear-streaked face, bare bottom sticking out – and was humiliated by how ridiculous I looked.
Mom returned with the paddle and gave me five powerful cracks. I jumped out of position each time and finished the fifth one with a dance that rivalled Tony’s. Then I too was deposited in the corner.
After my corner time, there was one more indignity for me to suffer. Mom made me write an apology to Tony and she made me include the phrase “I got paddled on the bare bottom” in the letter. How I cringed when I gave Tony that letter!