Ten-year-old Delilah ignored him, chattering away to no one in particular.
Desperate to keep the peace, her mother turned her head to smile and nod at both sides.
"Delilah, did you hear me?" Tom asked, his voice turning sharp. "I said --"
"Yeah, yeah," the girl snapped, rolling her eyes at him. "I don't wanna see or hear you, either, you know."
"Delilah! Watch your mouth!" her mother said, dropping her napkin into her lap. "I'm so sorry, Tom, I have no idea what got into her. She's never usually this ill-mannered."
"Oh, I know what got into her, alright," he said, rising to his feet. "And I fully intend on knocking it out of her, too." He rolled up his sleeves, staring intently at the girl.
Delilah gulped and sat back in her chair, not knowing what to expect.
"Stand up. You're coming with me now, young lady," he said, reaching for one of her wrists. He yanked her sharply out of the chair.
"Please, Tom! Don't do this!" her mother pleaded, throwing her hands in the air. "She won't do it again, I promise!"
"Not this time, Agnes," he said, heading for the living room with Delilah in tow. "She needs to be taught a lesson. I'm not letting this little brat disrespect me and get away with it."
Delilah struggled as he maintained his grip on her wrist. Agnes covered her mouth with her hands as she watched the two make their way down the hall.
Never letting go of his captive, Tom sat down firmly on the couch, making sure his lap was clear. He put his free arm around her waist, pulled, and carefully flipped her down on his knees.
Her mother stood in the doorway, holding her face in her hands. She watched in horror as he yanked down the girl's jeans and underwear without bothering to stand her up. Delilah fidgeted as he held her down in the middle of her back and raised his right hand above his head.
"Last chance to say you're sorry."
Delilah sucked in her breath and uttered a slew of apologies until she was gasping for air.
"...Too late," said Tom, bringing his hand down on her backside. "You'll have to be quicker than that." Raising his hand up again, he gave her another smack even harder than the last one.
Delilah continued to wail as he went on, squirming under his grip once she got sore.
"Hold still, you little brat," he said through gritted teeth. "I don't think you've quite learned your lesson yet."
"Please stop, please stop! I'm sorry! I'll never do it again! Please, stop!" Delilah cried, kicking her legs out behind her. "Please!"
He was about to raise his hand once again, when he felt a firm grip on his wrist. He looked up.
"Enough, Tom," Agnes said, pulling his wrist further back. "I'd say she's learned more than enough by now."
He clenched his jaw and let his arm go slack. She let go of his wrist, watching it fall limp at his side.
Delilah barrel-rolled off his lap as he loosened up. Falling onto her back, she glared up at him as she pulled her pants back up.
Agnes ran to her daughter's side.
"Are you okay, honey?" she asked, putting a hand on Delilah's shoulder. The girl was biting her lip.
"You're too soft on that kid, Agnes," Tom said, his arms folded across his chest. "You need to stop spoiling her, or else she'll turn out to be a mama's girl."
She looked up at him and nodded.
"Maybe you're right..." she said under her breath. Delilah was hugging her knees to her chest, barely trying to hold back her tears any more. "Maybe I have been too easy on her."
"Exactly," he said with a smirk. "Now, why don't you make the first move?"
She stood up and put her hands on her hips. Delilah was still curled up in a ball on the floor.
"Delilah," she said, her voice shaking. "Delilah!"
The girl looked up with eyes narrowed. "What?"
"I think it's time to...I mean...Oh, just go to your room!" Agnes said, pointing to the stairs.
"But, Mom..."
"Go to your room!"
Delilah jumped to her feet and glared up at her.
"Fine!" she snarled, stomping out of the room."I hate you!"
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