The Punishment (Anyone can join)

[bobby]

Hector, one hand held firmly by his Daddy, took Sarah's hand with his free hand. The little boy had heard the unsureness in her voice and it immediately touched him.

He smiled at Sarah as his little hand grasped hers. "Daddy is gonna GET you strawberry, Sarah, 'cause you're just like the rest of us. One of Daddy's kids!!!"

Hector looked up at his Father, hoping he'd said the right thing, "Is that right, Daddy! AND, could I have a vanilla cone wiff sprinkles?"

[dabillmann]

"I'll get you anything you want,' said Danile, giving sarah what he hoped was a reassuring smile, then turning to Hector. he got about halgf an inch from Hectors face and said in a growly voice," NOOOO!" in the way he sdid when he was playing with him. of course Hector kenw that this mean "yes".

[bobby]

Hector giggled and watched Daddy go to the counter to order ice cream for this children. As Hector was watching, he saw a little dog outside of the ice cream store.

Hector was never allowed to go anywhere without Mommy, Daddy or his Big Sisters, but he wanted to pet the little dog. He looked around and saw that Daddy and his sisters were busy with the ice cream, and the little boy let go of his Father's hand and wandered outside.

Hector bent down and said, "Come here, boy," to the puppy. And the puppy suddenly pulled back it's lips and snarled at the five year old startling Hector.

[Desereigh]

Cassia bounced up to the counter and looked into the ice cream display thing. She was reading the names off the glass, trying to decide which one she wanted. "I wannnnntttt bubblegum ice cream," She said with a grin, looking up at her dad.

[dabillmann]

"You got it," said Daniel. The girl behind the counter had heard the kids so she was already preparing their order. Daniel ordered himself a small vanilla cone and paid once the girl had handed Andy, Cassia, and Sarah each their ice cream, then she handed Daniel his and Hectors. "here you go, Buddy,' he said turning around. "Hector?" he said, the he looked and saw a startleled looking Hector outside the store. he went outside and saw the dog growling at Hector. "Get!" He yelled, throwing a kick at the dog that deliberately missed. the dog yipped and ran off. "Hector!" he said. "You KNOW you are supposed to stay with us!"

[bobby]

Hector had been surprised and scared by the reaction of the unfriendly dog and was much relieved when his Father appeared and chased the unfriendly animal away.

But now, his Daddy didn't look very happy. Hector stood from his kneeling position and looked up at his Father with the two ice cream cones in his hand.

"I'm sorry Daddy," the little boy said. "It looked like a cute puppy and I wanted to pet it."

Hector didn't think that his Father's face reflected that this was a good reason for his five year old to leave his side.

[dabillmann]

Daniel stood over Hector giving him a Look. "That is no excuse, Buddy," he said. "If you had wanted to pet the puppy, you should have asked Cassia, Andy or I to bring you out here. Now, I don't want your ice cream to melt, so we will go back inside with the girls and eat it, but then we are going to go home and have a TALK."

[bobby]

Daddy takes Hector by his hand and marches him back into the ice cream parlour. He sits down at a table with the girls and puts bobby on his lap. He's clearly keeping careful control of his little son until they get home to have their talk.

At first Hector looks very unhappy, but licking an ice cream cone quickly makes the active little boy bounce back. He wiggles on his Daddy's lap and tries to see if he can make Daddy forget about the puppy episode.

"My ice cream is delicious, Daddy. Is your ice cream delicious too? Huh?"

[dabillmann]

"Yes, Buddy, my ice cream is great,' said Daniel, knowing full well what the little scamp was up to.

[bobby]

When they finished their ice cream and were heading back home, Daniel kept a good firm grip on his five year old's hand.

Hector was now feeling nervous about the TALK that he and his Daddy were going to have.

"Daddy, are we still gonna have a talk? Where are we gonna have it? Let's just have it on the front porch, okay, cause it's so nice outside."