Climb and Punishment Part Three!
Jul 10, 2020 19:18:42 GMT -5
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Post by Stuart Slane on Jul 10, 2020 19:18:42 GMT -5
Climb and Punishment Part One
When Wilson Slane was six his brother Ron dared him to climb the oak tree in their backyard. Wilson balked at first but Ronald who was two years older did it and then called him a bitch for not even trying. Wilson could have tattled on Ron since one of the rules in the Slane family was never to curse (Tenet Five of Scout Law is courteousness) but instead he accepted the challenge. He made it about fifteen feet up the tree and froze.
His cries caught the attention of his mother. She tried to coax him down, but Wil was too scared. She sensibly called the Fire Department and then Wil’s dad.
The firefighters got there first. They came in their big truck but no sirens because it wasn’t that serious an emergency. The fireman in charge was very nice and told Wil not to worry. They would set up a ladder and get Wil down.
Then Wil’s father arrived. He was not happy. He told the firemen he didn’t need their help to rescue his own child. Still in his Scoutmaster regalia he clambered up the tree like some Old World primate to get to Wil. The tree shook violently from Stuart’s heft which made Wil even more scared.
“Stop crying,” Stuart ordered him, “You’re fine. I’m here. Let go, Wilson.”
Stuart wrapped one of his long rangy arms around Wil’s waist but Wil was unwilling to release his deathgrip on the tree trunk. His father’s tone became officious which was a tell to those that knew him he was very angry.
“Wilson Slane, you are in violation of Tenets One and Ten of Scout’s Law. Relinquish your hold on the tree so that I can rescue you and end this ridiculous spectacle.”
Wil sniffled and snuffled but did not budge, “I’m scared,” he managed to croak out.
The senior Slane did nothing to assay Wil’s fears. With a powerful tug, he pried the boy from the tree and made his way back to the ground. Wil, tucked under his father’s arm like a loaf of bread, sobbed out of fear and embarrassment and the concern of not knowing what was going to happen next.
Stuart dropped the last six feet without stumbling or fumbling his precious cargo. It was an impressive feat but no one seemed willing to give Wil’s father much credit for the rescue. His mother tearfully rushed towards them; her hands cupping Wil’s face and smothering it with reassuring kisses.
“Don’t reward him,” Stuart hissed.
What happened next shocked Wil. His mother’s relieved expression turned to one of absolute contempt. She glared up at her much larger husband and flatly told him-
“Give me my son.”
She didn’t try to wrest him from Stuart’s grasp; not that she could have. She simply held out her arms. For several moments Wil held his breath waiting to see what would happen next. Too afraid to turn his head to see his father’s reaction to the brusque demand, he kept his eyes locked on his mom. Her determined expression did not waver even a bit.
Stuart Slane handed Wil over to his mother.
Letitia Slane gathered up her son and hugged him fiercely. She tried to laugh but she was so mad and a little scared herself it sounded more like a flurry of gasps.
“I’m sorry, Mommy,” Wil mumbled into her shoulder.
“I know you are, baby.”
“I didn’t mean to make you and Dad angry.”
“I’m not angry, Wil. Let’s get you inside ok? So you can change?” she whispered the last part into his ear so as not to embarrass Wil by letting everyone know he’d peed himself.
Wil nodded and held onto his mom, who turned to bring him to the house. It was a bit harder for Letiitia to carry Wil than her husband just did, but there was no way she was going to let him go now.
As Letitia carefully made her way up the steps of the back porch Wil finally glanced back at his father. He was still rooted to his spot at the base of the tree; hands on his hips; looking like he had eaten something sour.
To Be Continued