I was petrified the instant he announced that horrible sentence, though I didn’t have much time to contemplate the inevitable, as the next crack landed right on top of the first.
“Yeeeeeeaouch!” My wail must have shook the whole building.
The next landed right after, and another, louder wail pierced the air. I jerked more, not paying any attention to Reggie’s edict, and then cried all the more when the last of the four fierce blows stung my upper legs.
I collapsed against the table. Surely this was over, at least this part of my travail.
To my relief, the two men backed off admiring Mr. Winningham’s handiwork, while I allowed my tears to flow. I couldn’t hold them back anymore. My hands were wet, and I tasted the salty tang on my lips.
“You have a very unruly brat here,” Mr. Winningha
