Father's Day in Danviille, 1961
Date: 6-16-01
Fandom: X-Files
Status: Stand-Alone, Complete
Archive: Persuaders
Feedback: whiteoaks@writeme.com
Disclaimers: These characters are not mine. Some belong to CC and
1013, some belong to Red Cadillac
Summary: Walter faces his father and the school yard bully
Notes: Okay, TV Land is running a Leave It to Beaver marathon this
weekend. They showed the episode where Beaver is beaten up by a girl,
Violet Rutherford. Violet is played by Veronica Cartwright, the same
woman who later played Cassandra Spender.
Walter Skinner, Jr. stood in the backyard of his parents' home. He knew
he had to go inside sooner or later. He just didn't know how he would
handle his parents' reaction to his appearance. His shirt was torn, his
lip was bleeding and he had the beginning of a black eye. He had no
idea how he would explain this to his folks. Taking a deep breath, he
entered his mother's kitchen.
"Walter? You're late." Rachel Skinner turned from the stove in time to
glimpse her oldest son hurrying through the kitchen.
"Sorry, Mom. I'll get washed and start on my chores right away."
Walter continued towards the stairs. With luck his mother would not see
the damage until later.
"Walter, stop where you are." Rachel's instincts as a mother were well
honed. Walter was in trouble and she meant to find out exactly what was
going on before her eldest escaped to his chores. She circled behind
him, slowly moving until she was facing him. Noticing the torn shirt,
she reached out and tilted his head until he was looking at her. "Oh.
My! Walter, what happened?"
"It's nothing, Mom. Just a disagreement. I better get to my chores
before Dad gets angry." He'd learned a year ago not to say his father
was mad. Angry was okay, mad was not.
"No, it's not okay. Sit down, now. I'll get your father." Looking at
the set of Walter's chin, she added, "I mean it. Sit in that chair and
don't move. Do you understand me?"
"Yeah, Mom. I understand." Walter slowly sank into the kitchen chair.
Folding his arms on the table, he rested his forehead on his arms, he
just knew this was only going to get worse.
Walter, Sr. Entered the kitchen and circled his son. His wife had
filled him in on the boy's appearance. He just wanted to see the damage
for himself. "Walter, Look at me."
Walter, Jr., knew he had no choice. He raised his head and looked
directly at his father's eyes.
"Who did this to you?"
"No one important, Dad. It just happened. I didn't fight back, that's
why I'm such a mess."
"You didn't fight back? Why didn't you fight back?" Mr. Skinner could
not imagine his son letting someone wail away at him without responding.
Walter Jr. knew he had to 'fess up. "It was a girl, Dad. She thought
I'd said something awful about her. I didn't really, but I couldn't
convince her and I couldn't hit her. So, I just let her hit me until
she was tired of it." He waited for his father's judgment of his
actions.
"Why did she think you said something awful about her?"
"Because I did," Walter knew he was in for it now. He'd done something
wrong and he was going to pay for it. He hoped his father would act
quickly, he wanted it over with now.
His father's reaction was completely unanticipated He sat down and
pulled his nine year old son into his lap. "Walter, tell me exactly
what happened. I want the truth and I want it now!"
"Cheryl Ankowiak has been following me around at recess and at lunch she
tries to sit next to me. I don't like her but she won't go away. I
told everyone I hate her, that I wish she'd go away. I told them,"
Walter faltered, what came next was pretty bad. Gathering his courage,
"I told them she tried to kiss me last week. I made her sound like a
really bad girl, like she was hounding me to do things I shouldn't."
He burrowed his head into his Dad's chest. He knew what he had done was
wrong.
His father tilted his head back up. Looking directly into his eyes he
asked, "Why do you think Cheryl wanted to be near you?"
His chin trembling and tears in his eyes, Walter answered as honestly as
he could, "I think she wanted to be my friend. She only moved here last
month and she doesn't know anyone. Her family goes to our church. I
think she thought that I'd help her make friends with the other kids."
He lowered his head again, he knew what he had done was wrong.
"You're right, Walter. She did think you'd help her fit in. Why didn't
you?"
Walter knew he had to be honest in his answer. He thought for a long
time. "Because I thought the guys would tease me for having a
girlfriend. I'm sorry, Dad. I should have helped her." A tear slowly
rolled down his cheek as he met his father's gaze.
"You're right, Walter. You should have helped her. Tomorrow you will
introduce her to your friends. You'll also tell them you made up the
story about her trying to kiss you. Do you agree?"
"Yes, sir." Walter waited for the pronouncement of his punishment.
Helping Cheryl was something he should of done in the first place.
"Now, I think you and I should go upstairs. My belt has an appointment
with your backside."
"Yes, sir." Walter hesitated, "May I tell Mom first? I know she's
worried. She should know this is my fault and what I did wrong."
Walter, Sr. grinned as he rubbed his son's head. "Go ahead, son.
You're right. Tell your mother and meet me upstairs. I'll be
waiting." He turned and headed up the stairs.
Walter, Jr. headed back towards his mother. He wanted to tell her the
whole story. Plus he wanted to make sure he was still included in this
Sunday's Fathers Day celebration. More than ever he appreciated how
much his father cared and how much his father helped him sort out life
and his place in it.
Walter slowly climbed the stairs to keep his appointment with his
father. He'd told his mother what he'd done, and that he was sorry for
his behavior. She'd reassured him that while what he'd done was wrong,
she loved him and that he would still be part of the planned Father's
Day celebration. Then she patted him on the back and reminded him his
father was waiting.
Looking down the hallway Walter noticed all the bedroom doors were
open. "Dad?"
"I'm in my room, Walter."
Walter quickly walked to his parents room and entered.
"Close the door, Walter. I think we should keep this just between the
two of us," his father said calmly.
"Yes, sir." Walter closed the door and walked to where his father was
sitting on the bed. He noticed the belt lying on the bed next to his
father.
Walter, Sr. examined his son's face. He was proud to see that Walter
was returning his gaze, not ducking his head or acting scared. He knew
this boy was growing into an honorable, courageous man. He just had to
help him stay on course. "You know why you're here, son."
"Yes, sir. I told lies about Cheryl, I hurt her feelings. I was rude
and mean. I should have tried to be her friend instead of calling her
names." Walter waited for his father to continue the punishment ritual.
"Okay, Walter. You know what to do now."
"Yes, sir." Walter lowered his slacks and underwear and positioned
himself over his father's lap.
His father rubbed his back for a few seconds, then he spoke. "I was
going to use the belt on you, but I think I'll use my hand. What you
did was wrong Walter, but I am proud that you told me that it was your
fault. I'm going to give you a hand spanking and then you're going to
write Cheryl an apology letter. You've already promised to tell her
your sorry and to help her meet your friends. I think that my spanking
you will be enough of a punishment."
Walter lifted his head and turned to look at his father. "But, I was
really bad! Besides hurting Cheryl, I also made more work for Mom. She
has to mend my shirt now. She already has so much work to do." Walter
was genuinely puzzled when he saw his father smile.
"Only you would think of your mother's workload." He pushed Walter's
head back down. "I'm going to spank you now." He placed his hand on
his son's bare butt, "Tell me why you're being punished, Walter." He
lifted his hand and quickly slapped it against Walter's backside.
"I, I lied, I said Cheryl tried to kiss me when she didn't." Two more
slaps echoed in the room. "I was mean and nasty." A quick ricochet of
four more swats. "I hurt Cheryl's feelings and I made more work for
Mom." A final swat and Walter was pulled into his father's embrace.
"Son, you know you're supposed to treat women with respect, that
includes girls. In the future I expect you to remember that."
"Yes, sir. I'll remember," Walter nodded his head while wiping tears
from his eyes. "I'm sorry, Dad."
"It's over now. Before you start the writing your letter, let's get you
cleaned up. That lip looks sore and I'm sure your eye hurts."
"Yes, Dad, they do. But I still have my chores to do."
"I'll tell you what I'll do, Walter. I'll help you clean up and then
I'll help with your chores. That way you should be done in time for
supper. You can work on your letter after you're done eating."
Walter looked at his Dad with awe. "You'll help me?" He hugged his
father with all his strength when his father nodded. "Thanks, Dad. I
love you."
"I love you too, son."