Archenemy...a twin

Subject: Archenemy... a twin story (Sampast/DLandhill)
From: SamPast <sampast@aol.com>
Date: 1999/07/16

Archenemy... a twin

Part 1

"I can't stand her anymore. She is making my life miserable. I hate her so much, Jenn!" Robin complained to her sister.

"Yes, Robin! I don't like her either, but what are we gonna do about her? I don't want to get in trouble again -- not so soon after last time."

The girls were referring, of course, to Lorraine Grimm, who was Robin's arch enemy. Robin really hated her. And Jennifer was beginning to hate her, as well. Apparently, Lorraine had nothing better to do than to look down her nose at both twins. Nothing they did was good enough for her.

Lorraine's parents were on the school board. She always pushed that in their faces. She told them she could do whatever she wanted. She also made fun of Robin because she didn't wear jeans. It wasn't Robin's fault that her mother made her wear corduroy or polyester pants.

Robin thought about what Jenn had just said. "Well, that was because you fought her right in the playground where everyone could see you. We have to think of some way to get her back without a lot of people around."

Jennifer agreed. "Yeah, like after school. But you have art class -- if you miss that everybody will know, and Mommy always picks me up unless I have something special, so I can't be there either. Her dumb cheerleading gets out before your art does, too."

"I know, I wish there was a way I could be in two places at once!" Robin stated.

Jennifer pondered that and then jumped up. "Well, with the two of us looking so much alike, there should be a way. What if I am home from school, sick?"

"Oh, Jenn! I don't know. . . you and your ideas always get us in trouble. Remember what happened the last time we switched?"

"Yeah, but this time we won't switch -- what got us caught was not knowing exactly what was going on. But if I sneak out and get her after school, they will think I am in bed sick and you will be in your art class, so it couldn't have been you. It must have been someone else, and Lorraine is lying to get us in trouble. Huh?" Jennifer exclaimed. Even to her, it sounded like a fool proof plan.

"Yeah!" Robin exclaimed. "Hey, Jenn, that might actually work. But, how're you gonna sneak out past Mommy? Won't she know you're missing?"

"I'll pretend like I need to nap, like I have a bug or something, and sneak out when she is busy with the baby. I'll bike over to school, get Lorraine, and bike right back."

"Oh, Jenn, I don't know. That's an awful lot of trouble to go through just to get Lorraine. What if we get caught?"

"Well, it is you she is really bugging and me who is offering to take the risk. If you don't wanna do it, you can just put up with her."

Robin thought about it. It did sound like a great idea to her. And well, she didn't really have to do anything. "Well. . . no! I don't want to put up with her making fun of me anymore. Okay, so this Thursday, we'll do it?"

Jennifer started to nod, but then Robin said, "Oh, I don't know, Jenn!"

"Oh, Robin, you are always so goody-goody. Take a chance for once. There is no way you will get in trouble even if I get caught," Jenn insisted.

"I know, but, I don't want you to be in trouble, 'cause of me, again."

Robin looked at Jennifer. She was nodding her head. Then Robin smiled and said, "Okay, let's do it."

Jennifer smiled, too. "Okay, it's a deal. Thursday it is. Daddy works all day then so it will just be Mommy at home."

The girls sat down and plotted exactly what they were going to do. When all the plans were made, Robin smiled and said, "This is going to be so terrific. I can't wait." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thursday morning arrived and Robin sat up in bed. She whispered, "Jenn, are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"Sure, why not, Robin? You get Mommy and tell her I don't feel well. Okay?"

"Okay." Robin went to the top of the stairs and called down, "Mommy!"

Lisa came halfway up the stairs. "What is it, Robin?" she whispered. "Don't wake Stephen."

"Sorry, Mommy. Jenn doesn't feel well, and she doesn't look too good."

Lisa continued up the stairs, picking up some laundry that was left there. She walked into the twins' room and said, "Jenn? Baby, what's wrong?"

Jenn looked up and saw her mother. She decided to play this one really well. "Ohh, my tummy hurts, and I'm all hot."

Lisa frowned. "Let me see," she said, feeling Jenn's forehead. "You don't have a fever. Did you use the bathroom?"

"Yes, and I felt like I was gonna throw up. Mommy, I don't wanna get up, again."

"Okay, sweetheart, you just rest. Come on, Robin, go get ready for school. Jenn's staying home today."

Robin said, "Okay, Mommy," and then winked at Jennifer.

Lisa said, "Jenn, I'll bring you some tea and toast, okay, baby?"

As soon as Lisa turned away, Jenn winked back at Robin. "I'm not really hungry, Mommy."

"Well, just some tea then," Lisa suggested. Then she left the room.

Robin leaned down to hug Jennifer. "Oh, Jenn, you are the best sister for doing this for me."

Jennifer smiled. "That's okay. I get a day off, too. Besides Lorraine has been snotty to me too -- uh oh, here comes Mommy -- you better get ready. You need to be a very 'good' girl today."

"Yes, okay, see you later, and good luck. And Jenn, be careful!" Robin whispered, as she went into the bathroom to start getting ready for school.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later on, at about 2:30, Jennifer sat up in bed, and listened. She heard the front door closing. Lisa had just come up to check on her. Jennifer told her mother that she was just so tired and wanted to sleep for a long time. Lisa told Jenn that she and Stephen were going to run out for a minute to mail some letters.

This was just perfect, Jenn thought. She had let her mother kiss her, and then Lisa had left her room, closing the door behind her. She jumped up and put her sister's pillow under her blanket to make it look like she was laying down, just in case.

She quickly changed, and ran downstairs. She snuck out the back door, ran around to the front, grabbed her bike, and pedaled to school as quickly as she could.

Finally Jennifer arrived and parked her bike on the other side of the school. She walked around, as if coming from inside the school and surprised Lorraine. She had just gotten out of cheerleading practice, and was getting on her bike.

"I've had it with you teasing me all the time," Jennifer sneered and pushed Lorraine off her bike onto the black top. It was a hot day, and the black top was soft and staining.

Lorraine looked up and exclaimed, "Ow! Robin?"

Jennifer had taken off her glasses. Without them, the twins looked exactly alike.

There, Lorraine sat on the blacktop. She looked up at Robin, not believing she had the nerve to push her. "Hey, that hurt."

"Well, YOU hurt me yesterday. You think I look messy? Well, let's see how you, and your bike look now," Jenn said, as Robin. She then took out a can of silly string and sprayed it all over the bike.

"What? Hey, stop that! Robin, I'm telling!"

But Jennifer was gone. She dropped the can and ran off. Lorraine had scraped her knee when she fell, and couldn't get up fast enough, let alone, run after her.

Jennifer ran back to where she had parked her bike. She put her glasses back on, jumped on the bike, and pedaled home as fast as she could. She parked the bike, snuck back into the house, and quietly tiptoed up the stairs to her room. As luck would have it, Lisa was in the shower, and Stephen was asleep in his crib. She knew, because she had peeked in and checked.

She just made it, too, because not fifteen minutes later, Lisa was back in her room, feeling her forehead. And now it was very hot. It must have been all that pedaling.

"Oh, Jenn! I think you might have a fever now!"

"I guess so, Mommy. I really don't feel too good -- I just wanna go back to sleep," Jenn said, convincingly.

Lisa took it and it was a little high-99.5. "Well, not too bad, but you stay and rest. I'm going to check on Stephen. I'll be back to check on you in a little while."

"Okay, Mommy," Jenn said. When Lisa left the room, Jennifer sighed. "Whew! That was close!" she thought to herself.

Meanwhile, at school, Lorraine managed to get up, and get to the nurse's office, where she was cleaned up and bandaged. Then she went to the office to tell Mr. Levine what happened.

She knocked on the door. It was late, and the school secretary was gone for the day. Lorraine called out, "Mr. Levine? It's Lorraine, Grimm."

Jack Levine came out of his office. He took one look at Lorraine and asked, "What is it, Lorraine? What happened to you? Are you all right?"

Lorraine had been crying, and now continued to do so. "I, I think so, sir. It's just that, well, Robin Clemente pushed me off my bike, and then sprayed this stuff on it. I think my bike is ruined. My mother's gonna be really mad."

"What? Are you sure? I am very sorry. Were you two fighting? How did this happen? Robin is supposed to be in art class now, I think."

Lorraine sneered. "Yes, well, obviously she took a little break. 'Cause she came out at me. I had just gotten on my bike, sir, and she pushed me off. I fell and skinned my knee. The nurse just bandaged it up for me. She told me to come tell you right away."

Mr. Levine said, "Yes, that is right. Well, we will just go down to art class, and see about this. I am very sorry you were hurt. Have you and Robin been mad at each other, or anything?"

The two started walking down the hall. Lorraine answered him as they walked. She said, "Well, we're not exactly friends. I don't think she likes me. And then there was the time that Jennifer hit me. That was a few weeks ago, maybe a month ago."

Mr. Levine knocked on the door and waited for Mr. Mauer to open it. "Hi, Frank, I need to see Robin Clemente. Would you send her out here please? I don't want to disturb the rest of the class."

"Well, Mr. Levine, we're in the middle of something. What seems to be the problem? Is there something I can help you with?"

Jack answered, "Well, it seems that Robin had a problem with Lorraine, here, and I want to get it settled right away. Someone is in trouble, I strongly suspect. How long did Robin leave the class for, and when?"

"Leave the class? Robin? She hasn't left since the club began." Frank Mauer looked at his watch. "It's 4:15 now? Hmmm, we really need to start cleaning up. Art club starts at 3:30 and she's been here the whole time. HOLD ON!" He looked into the art room. "Boys and girls, start cleaning up, please. Robin! Come here, please."

Robin appeared at the door, next to Mr. Mauer. "Yes?" She saw her uncle and said shyly, "Oh, hi, Mr. Levine."

"Robin Clemente, did you push Lorraine down ands spray stuff all over her bike -- or have any kind of fight or encounter with her today, for that matter?"

Robin looked surprised. She knew she did, for she had practiced in front of her mirror all week. "What? No, sir."

Jack beckoned Robin to follow him into the hall, where Lorraine was standing. Robin looked at her and said, "Oh, my god, Lorraine, what happened to you? You look terrible!"

"Yeah, Robin Clemente, and it's all your fault, too!" Lorraine spat out.

"What? What are you talking about?" Robin asked, bewildered.

Jack became impatient. "Robin, are you telling me that you had nothing to do with this? Tell the truth, now."

"When did this happen? Just now? I've been in art class since 3:30. And from 3 to 3:30, I was helping Mr. Mauer set up. Honest. You can even ask him, Mr. Levine!"

Jack asked Mr. Mauer to come out into the hall for a minute. "Mr. Mauer? Robin tells me she came early to help you clean up, is this true? Did Robin leave this room, in the last half hour or so, to go to the bathroom, or anything?"

"Yes, Mr. Levine, Robin came early. She's a sweetie, that way. And no, she has not left this room since she got here. I can vouch for her. Please, you'll have to excuse me, I need to go supervise the clean-up." Mr. Mauer went back inside.

Lorraine put her hands on her hips. She could not believe this. "Robin Clemente! You know that was you who pushed me off my bike! I saw you."

Robin became indignant. "You couldn't have seen me, Lorraine, 'cause I didn't do it, and I don't know what you're talking about."

Jack exclaimed, "Lorraine, are you SURE it was Robin? Did you get a good look? Or. . . could it have been her twin, Jennifer?"

Lorraine thought about it. "Well, I suppose it could have been Jennifer. But she wasn't wearing glasses. Jennifer wears glasses, doesn't she?"

Robin answered, "Yes, and she can't see without them! Besides, Jennifer is home sick today. It couldn't have been her, Mr. Levine. I bet Lorraine doesn't even know who did it, if anything even happened. She doesn't like me and is just trying to get me in trouble!"

Jack said, "Robin! You leave what Lorraine is trying to do, to me. It is obvious that something happened. Just look at her, and at her bike."

Innocently, Robin said, "Why? What happened to her bike?"

Lorraine stared daggers at Robin. "You know what happened, Robin. You sprayed Silly String all over it, and now it's ruined."

"Ruined? From Silly String?" Robin laughed. "Pleeeease!"

"All right, girls, enough. You can go back to art class, Robin. It doesn't appear that you could have done this," Jack said. He didn't see Robin smile as she walked back into the art room.

Jack turned to Lorraine and asked, "When exactly did this happen?"

Lorraine said, "It was almost 4:00. I remember because cheerleading ends at 3:45 and I stayed to talk to a few friends. Then I left and went to my bike. Oh, my mother's gonna kill me when she sees it. I think that stuff that Robin used, ruined the finish. Or Jennifer, whoever it was. But it was definitely one of them. I'm not making it up, sir."

"I'm sure you're not. I will call the Clemente's and see if Jennifer is home sick. Then I will call your mother to pick you up and assure her that it wasn't your fault, Lorraine. Come back to the office with me, please."

Lorraine followed the principal back to his office. Jack pretended to look up their number. He didn't want her to know he knew it by heart.

The phone rang at the twins' house. Lisa picked up. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Clemente? This is Mr. Levine at the school. Is Jennifer home sick today?"

"Jack? What's wrong? Yes, Jenn's been in bed all day, poor baby. She had a stomachache and this afternoon a slight fever. Is everything all right? I was just about to get Stephen ready so we can come and pick up Robin from Art club."

"Well another girl says that Robin pushed her down, and sprayed stuff on her bike, but Robin has been in art class and her teacher says she didn't leave once. I thought that it might have been Jennifer -- you know people can't always tell them apart. You are sure than Jennifer hasn't been up and around recently?" Jack asked.

Lisa responded, "Oh no, Jack. That poor child has been sick all day. There's no way! Besides, I didn't leave the house once today myself. Well, except to mail some letters, but Stephen and I couldn't have been gone more than five minutes. No, it wasn't Jenn. But if it will make you feel better, Charlie and I will talk to both of them later tonight. Okay?"

"Okay, that would be good. Please let me know if you find out anything. Good bye." Jack hung up the phone and turned to Lorraine. "Well, it seems that Jennifer has been sick in bed all day. I don't know who did this to you but it doesn't seem possible that it was either of the Clemente twins. Can you think who else it might have been?"

Very emphatically, Lorraine shook her head. "No, sir, I'm telling you, it was definitely Robin or Jennifer. What do you think, I'm crazy or something? I can see, you know!"

Jack took a deep breath. "I know, but in the heat of the moment. . . You heard Mr Mauer, Robin was not out of that room after 3, and Jennifer's mother just said that she was in bed, sick, with no way to get here. You don't think that either of them was wrong, do you? I assure you I will try to find out who did this, and if I do, there will be a stern punishment."

Lorraine nodded. What else could she do?

Jack said, "Okay, now let's call your mother."

Jack explained the circumstances to Mrs. Grimm. And although she was very upset, she was glad to hear that Lorraine was all right. She came to the school right away. Jack assured Mrs. Grimm that the bike damage was not Lorraine's fault and that he would work hard to find out who did this to her daughter. Mrs. Grimm seemed to accept this and took Lorraine home. ~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~

part 2

Lisa picked Robin up from Art Club and asked her to watch Stephen while she made dinner. Robin did not have a chance to see Jennifer to find out what happened. Then when Charlie came home, Lisa wanted Robin to get started on her homework. She wasn't allowed to go up to her room, because as Lisa reminded her, Jennifer was sick and sleeping.

Lisa informed Charlie of Jack's phone call. He frowned and looked over at Robin. Lisa explained that it couldn't have been Robin because she was in art club.

"Well, one of them must know something. I'm going to ask them," Charlie told Lisa.

"All right, hon. Why don't you go up now? You can see if Jenn wants some dinner. We'll eat when you're finished," Lisa said.

"Yes, okay. Robin, come upstairs with me. I need to talk to you and your sister," Charlie ordered.

Robin looked up from her homework. Her heart was beating in her chest a mile a minute. "Uh, okay, Daddy," she said, and followed him up to the room that she and Jenn shared.

Charlie and Robin went into the twins' room. Jennifer heard their footsteps on the stairs and sat up. She was getting very tired of being in bed all day.

Charlie went over to Jenn and hugged her. He then felt her head and said, "Hi, baby, how're you feeling?"

"I'm okay. What's up?" Jenn said.

"Yeah, Daddy? What's going on?" Robin asked.

"Girls, Mommy tells me that Uncle Jack called here today, about a fight with a girl named Lorraine. Do either of you know anything about this? Not just did you do it, but do you know anything about it?"

Robin answered, "Well, Daddy, Uncle Jack came to art club today and asked me if I did it, but I didn't know what he was talking about."

"Daddy! I've been sick in bed all day!" Jennifer whined.

Charlie looked at Jennifer and said, "Don't whine."

"Sorry, Daddy," she said.

Charlie continued, "So I take it that neither of you knows anything about who might have done this? Uncle Jack said that her bike may be permanently damaged, and she was pretty banged up. She insists that it was one of you two."

"But Daddy? How could that be? I was in art club and Jenn was home sick. She hates us, and she's just trying to get us in trouble," Robin stated, firmly.

"I don't know, lovey, but Uncle Jack didn't think she was lying. Maybe she was mistaken. Do you know anything about anyone else who might have done this?"

"No. But a lot of people hate her, Daddy. She's very mean to everyone. It could have been anyone," Robin supplied.

"I see," Charlie said. Then he turned to Jenn and asked, "Isn't this the girl you had a fight with, Jennifer?"

"Yes, Daddy. I told you last month she's a real meanie. She does anything. She probably made the whole thing up."

Charlie said, "Well, it seems like you two didn't do it, whoever did. But if you know anything about it, I want you to tell right now. And if you find out anything later, I want you to tell us or your Uncle Jack -- understand?"

"Yes, Daddy," Robin answered.

"Yes, Daddy," echoed Jennifer. "Daddy, I feel a little better now, could I come down to dinner?"

"Okay, Jenn, I don't see why that would be a problem. You will probably have something easy to handle, though -- we don't want you to get sick again."

"Okay, Daddy, we'll be down in a minute," Robin stated.

"No, let's go right now. Mommy was waiting dinner for us to have our talk," Charlie said.

"Okay, let's go, Robin," Jenn said. The girls looked at each other. They knew their conversation would have to wait. What was a little bit more waiting?

Jenn had soup, while the rest of the family had pot roast. Jennifer was glad she didn't have to eat the pot roast. Yuck!

After dinner, they cleared their plates and headed toward the stairs.

"Okay, see you later, girls. I'll come up to tuck you in later, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy."

"Okay, see you later," Robin said. She ran to catch up to Jennifer.

They ran into their room and shut the door. But then they heard the buzzer of the intercom, which was right outside their room. Jenn went over and opened the door and pressed the button, "Yes?"

"Robin! It's Mommy! Is this homework finished? Please come down and put your books away."

Jenn called Robin over. "Okay, Mommy. I'll be down in a few minutes. Okay?" Robin asked.

"Okay," Lisa said through the intercom.

The girls went back into their room, leaving the door open. Robin knew she shouldn't keep her mother waiting about those books, but she was dying to speak to Jennifer.

"Finally, we're alone!" Jenn stated. "I thought this moment would never come. So, Robin, you've been acting so cool, tell me what happened."

"Tell YOU what happened? I've been dying to find out what happened with you and Lorraine. Come on, Jenn, spill all," Robin said excitedly.

Downstairs in the kitchen, where Charlie and Lisa were doing dishes, they realized that the intercom was still on, and that they were hearing the girls' conversation. Charlie was about to turn it off, when he overheard something. Something that stood his tail feathers on end.

Lisa started to say something, but Charlie held up his hand and said, "Shhh!"

"Charlie! We really shouldn't." Lisa paused and listened. "What? Did Robin just say that she wanted to know what Jenn did? Hmmm," Lisa said, frowning.

Charlie and Lisa continued to listen. They could not believe what they were hearing.

Jennifer laughed and said, "Okay, okay, Robin, calm down. Okay, my hardest part was slipping out so Mommy wouldn't know. But luckily she went out to mail some letters, so I left then. When she came back, she didn't even check on me, I guess."

"Wow! Jenn, that's unbelievable!" Robin said, totally in awe of her twin sister.

Jennifer continued, "I left some pillows under the blanket, in case she looked in. I biked all the way to school in a hurry, and hid the bike behind the school. I ran around the school as if I was you coming from art -- it was hard to run without my glasses, too."

Robin nodded, and begged Jennifer to go on.

"Lorraine was just getting on her bike. I pushed her off and sprayed it all over with the silly string. It will take her a long time to clean that off. That will teach her to sneer at our bikes. Then I came home real fast. Mommy came in after that and said I had a fever -- I was REAL hot from all that biking."

"Wow! Jenn, that's amazing! I can't believe we finally got her!" Robin said, excitedly.

"Yes, and the best part is we did it without getting in trouble. For once, we got away with something."

"I know. I'm so glad. What'd you think of what Uncle Jack said about the silly string ruining the bike?" Robin asked.

"Oh, gimme a break! He probably just said that to scare you. Don't worry about it, Robin."

Just then, they heard their mother's voice over the intercom. "Girls! Come downstairs right now, please!"

"Wow, I didn't even hear it buzz. She sounds mad, Jenn," Robin said.

Jenn nodded. "Yes, she does. You don't suppose. . . we'd better get down there right away, Robin."

The girls ran down the stairs and met their parents in the living room.

"Yes, Mommy, what is it?" Jenn asked.

"Mommy, I know, I was just about to come for my books," Robin said. She walked over to the dining room table, but Charlie stopped her.

"Leave that for a minute, Robin. Girls, sit down."

Robin and Jennifer exchanged a look and shrugged their shoulders as they listened to their father.

They waited. Charlie nodded at Lisa to start. She took a deep breath and said, "Girls, I'm very unhappy to say that your father and I have overheard your discussion."

"What?" Jennifer asked.

Lisa continued, "By mistake, the intercom was left on, and we heard what you said. What do you have to say for yourselves? And don't try to lie, because we heard every word."

For once, Jennifer was shocked speechless. Several quiet moments went by. Finally, knowing her parents were expecting one of them to say something, Jenn said, "Uh, Mommy, well. . . I'm sorry, but Lorraine was REALLY nasty to Robin, and some to me, too."

"Yeah, and, and. . ." Robin started to say, but then began crying instead. "We're in really big trouble, aren't we?"

Now it was Lisa's turn to nod at Charlie. "Hon!"

Charlie said quietly but sternly, "Yes, you are in VERY big trouble, both of you. I am shocked that you would do something like this. You lied about being sick, Jennifer, you snuck away without permission, you deliberately attacked someone who wasn't doing anything to you at the time, and then you snuck back and lied about it again."

Jennifer nodded, and started to cry. Hearing all the things she did like that sounded bad, even to her.

"And YOU, Robin Elizabeth, were in on this from the beginning and lied about it, too. Isn't that right? You planned it so you would be in art class and couldn't be caught, didn't you?"

"Y-y-yes, Daddy, it's true, all of it," Robin cried.

"Daddy, but Lorraine is really mean to Robin; we had to show her."

"Robin! Jennifer! I am very surprised at both of you. And very disappointed," Lisa said, shaking her head.

"So am I. Jennifer, attacking someone is NOT the way to deal with their being 'mean'. And you both know the rules about lying," Charlie roared. "You are both in BIG trouble. But before I punish you, I need to call your Uncle Jack."

Robin and Jennifer sat crying on the couch, with their mother just staring them down. Charlie went to the other side of the room, picked up the phone, and dialed Jack's home number.

Jack picked up after the second ring. After some pleasantries, Charlie said, "Jack, about this afternoon. It seems we were conned by a pair of skilled crooks. You see, Jennifer pretended to be sick, then snuck out and attacked Lorraine, while Robin was careful to stay in art class because she knew what was going on. I presume that there will be school punishment as well as what I am about to give them?"

Jack was taken aback. "You're kidding me? I am very disappointed in those two. There will definitely be some school punishment. Can you have them in my office at 8 am tomorrow?"

"Yes, Jack, they will be there. They might be very sore, but they will be there."

"Boy, Charlie, I don't envy you at all, you know that? Those two are quite the handful. . . how they ever imagined and engineered this, is quite a mystery to me."

"Yes, to me, too. I am very upset with them right now. I guess we'll see you in the morning."

"Okay, and Charlie? I think the girls will be suspended, but I'll have to let you know tomorrow for how long. Bye, now," Jack said.

Charlie said goodbye and hung up the phone. He got up and went back to where they were still sitting on the couch. "Girls, I am very unhappy with what you did, and very disappointed in you. You are going to be severely punished. Do you have anything else to say for yourselves before I start?"

Robin thought a moment and then answered, "Well, Daddy, it's not that I think what we did was good, but I'm kind of glad I got Lorraine back."

Charlie frowned, but didn't say anything. Robin saw his frown and said, "Well, what I mean is, she has been so mean to me, and she kind of deserved it."

Lisa was shocked by her daughter's words. "Robin! That's terrible to say, and it doesn't help your case any."

Jennifer declared, "Well, I agree, she had it coming!"

"You had both better change that attitude," Charlie uttered. "And, I might add, part of your punishment will be a nicely written note of apology to Lorraine."

"Oh, Daddy, do we hafta?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes, you will. But later. First your spankings. Jennifer, you have an appointment with the belt. Robin, you and the hairbrush have a date. Jennifer, you're first."

Charlie took Jennifer's hand and started to pull her up.

"Daddy?" Robin asked.

Charlie regarded his daughter and said, "Yes, Robin, what is it?"

"Would we be in this much trouble if we had told you the truth earlier when you asked?"

Charlie let go of Jennifer's hand and sat back down. "You are in a LOT of trouble for several reasons." He started counting on his fingers as he said, "One is that you lied, when I asked you, several times, about this. You also lied to your Uncle Jack, Robin. You know the rule -- lie to get out of trouble and get in it worse. Another reason is that that you plotted this out. That shows that you meant to do this -- it wasn't just in anger or impulse -- and you KNEW it was wrong. Another reason is that you deliberately hurt someone -- that is very wrong. All of those together add up to very big trouble indeed. Do you understand that, Robin? Jennifer?"

Robin nodded, and said, "Yes, Daddy." She was crying again.

Jennifer stared at the rug and said, "Yes, sir." She then picked up her head and said, "But Daddy? How come I get the belt?"

Charlie turned to Jennifer and answered, "Because YOU are the one who played sick, snuck out of bed, left the house without permission, and actually hurt Lorraine and damaged her bike. So you are in even worse trouble than Robin, who planned it with you and lied about it, but didn't actually do it."

All Jennifer said, was, "Oh!"

Charlie turned to Lisa and said, "Why don't you take Robin into our bedroom? I'll be in as soon as I take care of Jennifer."

Lisa took Robin's hand and led her out of the room. Robin looked back at Jennifer once. She saw Jennifer bending over the arm of the couch.

Jennifer picked her head up for a second and said, "Please Daddy, don't! I'm sorry!"

"Sorry?" Charlie roared. "You didn't sound very sorry when you were telling me how much Lorraine deserved it. It is a little too late for 'sorry', young lady. Now bend over."

"Yes, Daddy."

Charlie took Jennifer's pants down, leaving her panties up, and took his belt off. He doubled it in his hands. Jennifer cringed at the sound of Charlie's belt.

Charlie began to hit Jenn with the belt. There is plenty of time between strokes.

<swish-SMACK!> "What you did, Jennifer <swish-SMACK!> is completely unacceptable <swish-SMACK!> and very wrong." <swish-SMACK!>.

"OW! Daddy! Ouch!" Jennifer cried. The belt hurt a lot.

Charlie continued, "You are not ever to hurt someone on purpose. <swish-SMACK!> You are not to plot wrongdoing like that. <swish-SMACK!> You know not to leave without permission. <swish-SMACK!> You know not to lie. <swish-SMACK!> I am very disappointed in you."

Charlie gave her four more, for a total of twelve and ended the spanking. "OW! OW, Daddy! That hurts! Ow, I'm so sorry. I won't ever do it again. Waaaaah!" cried Jenn.

"It is supposed to hurt. That is why it is a punishment. Now come with me to the bathroom for some soap."

Jenn was hysterically crying. "Daddy! NO! Please! I'm sorry."

But as upset as Jennifer was, Charlie was just as angry, still. "You lied, not once, not twice, but over and over. You lied by arranging your bed so Mommy would think you were in it, and I asked you several times if you did this or knew anything about it, and you lied each time. You know the rule -- a lie means a mouthsoaping. Now come!"

Jennifer cried, but followed her father to the bathroom. "I'm sorry, Daddy, I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry I lied over and over. I don't think Robin or I knew exactly what we were planning." "And I didn't think that. . .we'd be caught," Jenn added in a mumble.

"Young lady, don't make it worse, by lying again. You knew exactly what you were planning and you knew exactly what you had done as we heard you tell Robin about it. You said 'and the best thing was we got away with it'. Isn't that right?" Charlie asked.

Jenn just nodded. What else could she say? She knew her father had her backed into a corner.

"Now open up."

Jennifer did as she was told. Charlie put the soap in and tapped her jaw to signal that she should close up.

"Now sit right there and don't you dare take that soap out, while I go deal with your sister," Charlie said. "I'll be right next door."

part 3

Charlie went into his bedroom. Lisa got up and gave Charlie a kiss as she left the room. Robin was laying on her parents' bed, crying. She looked up and said, "Daddy, I'm so sorry. We weren't thinking."

Charlie sat in the big red chair, which was reserved for spankings, and for holding Lisa's clothes. He stared at Robin, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at him. "Yes, you were. You thought very hard about how to get away with this. You weren't thinking correctly, however."

"I know, Daddy. I'm sorry."

"You are about to be much sorrier. Come here."

Robin got off the bed and went to stand in front of her father. Charlie stood her between his knees and bared her bottom. He then placed her over his lap. He picked up the hairbrush from Lisa's dresser and began to spank.

<Whack!> <Whack!> <Whack!> <Whack!> <Whack!>

"OW! Daddy! No, I'm sorry, please no, Daddy! Waaaaah!" Robin cried.

<Whack!>"You are not ever <Whack!> to lie to me. You lied to Uncle Jack, <Whack!> and over and over to me. <Whack!> You deliberately plotted <Whack!> this naughty act. <Whack!> You are never <Whack!> to do that again." <Whack!>

"Yes, Daddy. I won't. Pleeease, it hurts," Robin cried.

"Yes, spankings hurt," Charlie said, not taking a break from spanking her. He continued, "And you connived <Whack!> at hurting Lorraine. <Whack!> That was very wrong. <Whack!> Is that clear, <Whack!> young lady?" <Whack!>

Robin was hysterically crying but managed to squeeze out, "Yes, Daddy."

<Whack!> <Whack!> <Whack!> <Whack!> "All right, your spanking is over. Come with me to the bathroom for your soaping."

"Yes, Daddy. I guess you're still mad at me, huh?"

Charlie had walked out of his room and next door into the bathroom. He told Jennifer she could rinse. Then he turned to Robin and said, "Well, Robin, I am still a little upset. What you did was so very wrong. I must say I am having trouble getting over it."

Robin and Jennifer just stood there. Neither of them knew what to say. Their dad had never acted this way before. Usually after a spanking, there was a lot of hugging and loving.

Charlie must have sensed this because he said, "But I still love you, both of you, no matter what. And I know that you aren't bad girls even when I don't like your actions. Understand me?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Yes, sir," Jenn said.

"Okay, Jennifer. I want you to go upstairs and start getting ready for bed. Robin, sit down on the toilet and open up for the soap."

"Yes, Daddy."

Charlie repeated with Robin what he had done with Jennifer. After about eight minutes, he took the soap out and told her she could rinse.

"Robin, go put your pajamas on and brush your teeth. Your mother and I will be up shortly to talk to both of you. Okay?"

"Okay, Daddy," Robin said. Then she ran up the stairs and started getting ready for bed.

The girls didn't have time to talk or compare punishments like they usually did, after both being punished. Their parents came in soon after Robin went upstairs. Charlie and Lisa sat on Jenn's bed, while the twins sat on Robin's bed, facing them.

Charlie said, "Okay, girls, you have both been spanked and soaped. I want you to know that we still love you no matter what. But I also want to say again how very far over the line you both went. I am very surprised -- this kind of on purpose misbehavior isn't like you two."

"Yes, Daddy, we know," Robin said softly.

"Yeah, we're sorry, Daddy. Mommy," Jenn said.

Charlie continued, "I think you are going to be suspended at school tomorrow and you will be grounded here, but I will wait to see how long your suspension is before I decide how long you are grounded for. Also, Jennifer, you will lose your bike for at least a week when your grounding is over."

Jennifer said, "Yes, sir," knowing how big a mistake it would be to argue.

"And your next four weeks allowance, Jennifer, and Robin, your next two weeks, will go toward fixing Lorraine's bike."

"Yes, sir," Jennifer said, sadly.

"What! Daddy, that's not fair!" Robin exclaimed.

"Fair! ? Was it fair for you to hurt Lorraine on purpose? Was it fair to ruin the paint on her bike? If you are so worried about fair, Robin, would you like to share the longer punishments that Jennifer is getting?"

"No, Daddy. I guess not. Okay."

Lisa put a hand on Charlie's arm and said, "Charlie, calm down, the girls have been punished."

Charlie turned to Lisa and said, "Yes, I know, but I need to say something -- this is far beyond their ordinary misbehavior. You and I will need to talk about what further punishment they get, if any."

"Yes, hon, we can discuss it. But right now, it's late, and these two need to go to bed. They have an early appointment tomorrow morning, don't they?"

"Yes, they do."

Charlie and Lisa tucked both girls in. He bent down and gave them each a kiss. "I want you to know that I still love you and always will, no matter what," he told each girl.

They both kissed and hugged both parents. They had had a long day and were exhausted. They still did not get to talk, as right away, they each fell fast asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~

part 4/Concl.

In the morning, there was not much talk, either. The girls hurried to get dressed and ready. They knew there would be more punishment once they got to school, but they didn't know how much. They were both very sore from the night before, but were determined not to show it.

Charlie drove the twins to school, while Lisa stayed home with the baby. No one said a word in the car on the short drive over there. When they got to the school, Charlie parked and led the girls into the main office.

Once they were ushered into Jack's private office, Charlie and Jack shook hands and exchanged "Good mornings."

"Girls, don't you have something to say?" Charlie prodded.

"Hi, Uncle Jack. I am so sorry," Robin said.

"Yeah, me too," said Jennifer.

"And just what is it that you are so sorry for?" Uncle Jack asked. "I think I know, but I want to hear you both say it."

Robin found some courage and said, "Well, I'm sorry that we plotted against Lorraine. And I'm sorry that we lied about it."

Jennifer nodded and said, "Yes, and I'm sorry that I did what I did. Must I say the whole thing, Uncle Jack?"

Jack said, "Yes, Jennifer, I want to be sure that you know what you did wrong, and why you are being punished."

Jennifer gulped. "Punished? Again? But Daddy already hit me with his belt." She looked at Jack, and he was glaring at her. "Yes, sir. I, I lied that I was sick, and then I snuck out of the house, and pushed Lorraine off her bike, and sprayed silly string on it."

Jennifer started to cry then. Even to her, repeated, it sounded terrible.

Jack took a deep breath and then said, "Robin, Jennifer, you are both in trouble. Robin, you helped Jennifer and lied to cover up what she did. Jennifer, you attacked another student, hurt her, and damaged her property. You have both earned a dose of the school paddle and a suspension. Jennifer, you will get a heavier punishment, since you did the actual assault. Do you have anything to say for yourselves?"

"No, Uncle Jack, I know what I did was wrong," Jennifer said, crying.

"No, Uncle Jack. All I can say is I'm really, really sorry," Robin said, joining her sister in crying.

"Okay, then. Robin, you are suspended for two days. Jennifer, you are suspended for a week. Also, no after-school activities for either of you for two weeks after you return, since this happened after school. And now it is time for your paddlings. Robin, you're first. Bend over my desk."

Hesitantly, Robin answered, "Yes, sir," and did as she was told.

Since the school rule is "over underwear only", Jack lowered her pants, but not her panties, and took out the school paddle. It was heavy and drilled with holes to reduce wind resistance.

<WHACK!> "You are not to lie to me again."

"OW! Yes, sir!"

<WHACK!> "You are not to cover up for anyone. <WHACK!> You are not to plot harm to anyone at school. <WHACK!> I hope you don't ever appear here like this again."

"Me, too, sir," Robin cried.

Jack put down the paddle, and helped Robin stand up. "That is it for you, Robin. Jennifer, it's your turn."

While Jennifer assumed her place in front of Jack, Robin went over to Charlie and leaned into him, crying. Seeing that his daughter had been given all her punishments, Charlie put his arms around her and held her.

Jack lowered Jennifer's pants and raised the paddle.

<WHACK!> "I am very unhappy with you, Jennifer. <WHACK!> You know better than to fight with, no, attack, someone here. <WHACK!> And to sneak onto school grounds <WHACK!> And to run away again."

"OUCH! YES, SIR, you're right, I'm sorry, I'm so, so, so, so sorry. Waaaah!" Jenn cried.

Jack continued. <WHACK!> "You could have hurt Lorraine badly. <WHACK!> You may have damaged her bike permanently. <WHACK!> You plotted with Robin to deceive me and the school. <WHACK!> I hope this lesson keeps you out of trouble."

"Yes, sir! Waaaaah! Ow, Uncle Jack, please stop, it hurts."

"Well, that is it. Your paddling is over."

Jennifer jumped up and started rubbing her bottom. Seeing Robin in Charlie's arms, Jenn ran right over. Robin went over to the couch to give Jenn some time with their daddy.

Charlie put his arms around Jennifer and said, "There, there, Jennifer. That part is over, and you were brave about it. I'll bet that paddle really hurts."

Jenn nodded. Charlie held Jennifer for a few minutes. Then he led her to the couch and sat down next to Robin. He pulled Jenn in close to him, and hugged Robin next to him.

"Girls, I still love you, no matter what. Okay?"

"Yes, Daddy," Jenn said, trying to smile through her tears.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Robin?"

"Do you truly forgive us, now?"

"Yes, I forgive you, but you still have the rest of your punishments to come. You both will be grounded for a while. Mommy and I will have to discuss for how long. And you still need to write a note of apology to Lorraine, each of you."

"Yes, Daddy," Robin said.

Jenn said, "Yes, sir." Then Jennifer turned to her uncle and said, "And you, Uncle Jack? Do you forgive us?"

Jack walked over to where they were all sitting on the couch. He said, "Yes, I forgive you, too. And I love you two, you know that. But you have been in here for punishment quite enough for one year. I don't want to have to do this again."

"Okay," Jenn said. "I'll be good."

"Me, too," Robin said.

Jack nodded. Charlie smiled. He wondered how long they could keep that promise.

Jack said, "Here are your assignments for the next two days -- after that I will have them sent home. I want them all done when you come back, is that clear?"

"Yes, Uncle Jack. I love you!" Jenn exclaimed.

"I love you, too. And again, I'm sorry," Robin said.

"I'm sure you are, girls. I will see you soon. But now I have work to do, and you need to go home."

Charlie, Robin, and Jennifer said their goodbyes and headed toward the door.

"All right, girls, come on. It is back home for you two. And remember, this is NOT a vacation. You will be doing homework or chores," Charlie reminded them.

"Yes, Daddy."

"Okay, Daddy."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later, when Charlie was at work, and Lisa was busy with the baby, Robin and Jennifer finally had a chance to talk. They were up in their bedroom, doing homework. Their bottoms were still so, so sore. They were both lying on their beds, on their stomachs.

"Hey, Jenn?"

"Yes, Robin?"

Robin looked at her sister and smiled, "Are you really sorry about what we did to Lorraine? Or did you just say that, 'cuz that's what they wanted to hear?"

Jennifer jumped up and said, "Hold on." She ran into the hall to check if the intercom was turned off. It was.

"Well, I am sorry we got caught."

Robin said, "Yeah, me too, but are you sorry for what we did? 'Cause I'm not."

Jenn said, "Well, that belt really hurt, and I got twice as many with the paddle as you did, and no TV or stereo or phone for two weeks, and you get off with one. . ." Jennifer hesitated.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, too. But, Jenn, was it worth it?"

Jennifer laughed and said, "Yes -- It was worth it!"

~~~~~~~~ The end.