The names, characters, places and events in this story are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. All characters are over the age of 18. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
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Spanked in Church Ch. 06
Sunday came at last. By then the weather had changed, dark gray clouds rolled in from the north and a chilly wind blew. Leandro shivered as he slipped on his jacket and joined Laura in the car. They didn't say much on their way to church. Laura sat with her arms folded and a stern expression on her face. She knew something was going on but wasn't sure what but she did not like being kept in the dark.
The church was packed with only a few spaces left however a family shuffled along to make space for them to sit together. There was a buzz of conversation as people chatted with their friends and caught up on their doings over the week. Leandro looked around the sea of faces looking for Mr. Jenkinson and Prezlea-Lynn but couldn't see them. Maybe they were running late or merely out of sight behind someone else. The room stilled as Deacon Stearns stepped out to the front and raised his arms.
"Alleluia, brothers and sisters," he declaimed. "This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice in it!"
"Alleluia!" the congregation cried out in return.
The service started with several worship songs. However, Leandro couldn't focus on the singing. He was wondering where Mr. Jenkinson and his daughter had gotten to as he needed them both to be here and for Mr. Jenkinson to publicly agree to the much needed punishment of his daughter. Shortly after the last praise song ended he heard the doors open and then the click, click, click of Mr. Jenkinson's stick as he walked down the aisle looking for a couple of seats. A young man in a sports jacket obligingly stood and let the older man have his seat. Mr. Jenkinson acknowledged the courtesy with a nod. Next to him, Prezlea-Lynn squeezed her girth onto the chairs, forcing everyone else in that row to shuffle over to make room. Leandro smiled to himself. Looked like things were gonna happen.
Eventually, the service reached the part where it came to judgment and discipline.
"Is there any man here who feeleth the need to publicly chastise their errant household?" Deacon Stearns demanded. After the fierceness of his preaching, sweat stained both the underarms of his white shirt as well as down the front and back. He wiped his forehead with his forearm.
The women of the church must have been obedient and good this week as few men raised their arms. However, Mr. Jenkinson was one of those.
"Dad, no!" Leandro heard Prezlea-Lynn squeal.
The pastor pointed to "Brother Terry? Haven't seen you here in an age but you've been in our prayers and with God's help we hope to see you again real soon," Stearns said. There was scattered applause from the congregation. "Is it about your daughter?"
Mr. Jenkinson nodded. Deacon Stearns walked over and handed him a microphone. In his croaky voice he said, "I regret that Prezlea-Lynn here has broken the commandment against stealing. Sorry, I don't recall its number."
There were a few gasps from the churchgoers.
"Well, that's actually the eighth commandment. 'Thou shalt not steal'. You'll find it written in Genesis 20 verse 15, brother."
"But I put everything back!" Prezlea-Lynn cried out. "You can't do this to me!"
"Only because you got found out and I made you return it," her father said sadly. "I didn't raise my daughter to be a thief. I tried to be a better father but since my accident I haven't been able to provide the guidance and discipline you needed."
"Brother, you are here now and I'm sure you've been doing your best," Stearns said. "Better late than never. However, sadly, you cannot effectively chasten your daughter. Do you have anybody in mind who can act as your surrogate?"
Mr. Jenkinson coughed into his hand. "Yes, her employer, Mr. Leandro has kindly agreed to administer her punishment on my behalf. It was his store she stole from, after all."
Prezlea-Lynn paled. "No! Not him! I'm gonna quit. Let me go!"