The Unknown

Testing

Mike's room

Mike's pov

Carrie and Shane have just returned from their road trip.

"How was your trip with Shane, sweetheart?" I ask Carrie, as I give her a hug and kiss.

Carrie looks at Shane who's still standing in the doorway.

"You didn't tell him?" she questions.

"No, luv. I told you telling Mike is part of your punishment," Shane reminds Carrie.

"Punishment? What happened, Carrie? Why are you being punished?" I can't believe Carrie got in trouble during their trip.

"I'll leave you two to talk." Shane turns to leave. "Mike, we'll catch up later."

"Why don't you have a seat and tell me what happened on the trip?" I sit behind my desk and motion for Carrie to sit across from me.

Reluctantly, she complies.

"Ummm." Carrie is having a difficult time coming clean, unable to look me in the eye and unable to voice her misbehavior outloud.

"Carrie, look at me right now and tell me what happened on the trip!" I know Carrie will respond to my stern tone.

Carrie proceeds to inform me of what occurred the evening she and Ava snuck into the nightclub. I shake my head in disbelief at the chain of events my youngest has just described.

"I sincerely hope this is some kind of practical joke. Please tell me none of that really happened."

Carrie remains silent as she avoids looking at me. I'm on my feet now, standing over her.

"TELL ME NONE OF THAT IS TRUE, CARRIE!"

"It's all true," she whispers.

"I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE THIS! YOU DRANK, YOU SNUCK INTO A CLUB, YOU BROKE CURFEW, YOU DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED SHANE AND WORST OF ALL, YOU  PUT YOURSELF IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION!"

Carrie is in tears now.

"I'm sorry, Mike. I'm so sorry." She buries her head in her hands in shame.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE YOU THINKING, CARRIE? WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry, Mike."

"I'm glad Shane took his belt to you. I have half a mind to do the same." I reach for my buckle merely for effect, knowing I don't have the backbone to spank my baby girl with a belt.

"Please don't, Mike. Please!" Carrie continues to sob uncontrollably.

"What you did was completely unacceptable, Carrie. You're grounded for one month. No phone, no electronics except for schoolwork, no tv, no music, no going out with friends and you'll be in bed every night by 9pm. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir."

"Stand up." When Carrie stands, I grab her arm intending to spank her but instead, I pull her into my arms hugging her tightly. "I'm glad it turned out ok and you're safe, sweetheart, but promise me you'll never do anything like that again," I whisper softly in her ear.

She whispers back, "I promise, Mike."

"I love you, sweetheart." I hold her tighter, not wanting to let her go, knowing she's safe in my arms.

"I love you too, Mike." Carrie nuzzles her head against my neck as she snuggles deeper into my embrace.

Later that evening