Jenni & Zoe--Hypothesis of a Tantrum (Part 3)

Here is part three of Jenni & Zoe! Enjoy!

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Hypothesis of a Tantrum (Part 3)
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The young girl was deeply asleep, curled up on her side,
looking angelic in slumber as she always did. Asleep she had never
looked anything, but beautiful and normal. Her arms clasped around an
old tattered teddy bear with a faded indigo bowtie around its neck;
the only thing she had kept from her old life. For a moment the
woman standing above her smiled with wistful wonder as she watched
the girl's chest rise and fall with each slow breath, enjoying this
small treasure. She tucked the moment away in her memory before
gently rousing the child from her dreams.

"Jenni, sweetheart, its time to get up." Zoë said by way of greeting
the groggy preteen who in response to her aunt pulled her pink
ruffled pillow over her strawberry blonde head and whined loudly
into her `Power Puff Girl' sheets.

"Now none of that Jenni, let’s go." She urged clapping her hands
twice before going over to the window and opening the gauzy drapes.
Warm sunlight settled on the creamy carpet and the girls curled up
body. Zoë sighed and went over to her niece's side and pulled away
the quilts. Jenni hugged her pillow and narrowed her eyes against
the brightness, "Aunnnnntt Zoooeee!"

"Time to get up my darling girl… Hurry now, breakfasts nearly
ready." She said and waited for the child to sit up at least before
she would leave the room. Jenni turned over on her stomach ignoring
her aunt, still half asleep. Zoë gave her firm swat to her PJ clad
bottom which made the girl jerk upright, "Ow! Don't!"

"Now that you're up, please get dressed and come down for
breakfast." Zoë smiled and kissed Jenni's tangled bed head before
leaving the room.

Rubbing her bottom to get rid of the slight sting, the girl
dragged herself to sit on the edge of the bed. She took a moment to
wipe the sleep from her eyes, letting her legs dangle over the side,
all the while thinking about the last several weeks.

The days had seemed to all blur together. Her Aunt Zoë had been spending most of
her time at her office, on the phone, or in meetings at the free
children's clinic she volunteered her services to once a week. With
winter in full motion and the holidays approaching people always
seemed to be sick more, especially children. Zoë would sometimes
take Jenni with her to the office or the clinic, but the child would
complain about being bored and want to go home. Zoë had then
employed the services of the neighbor girl named Bethany, who was 17
to look after Jenni in her absence.

Jenni had begun to resent the herbs which she had once taken an interest in and the other children who took up most of her aunts time. What she hated most was the free
time Zoë once had was now wrapped up in the work of her current
thesis, due out for publication this spring. They had stopped going
to the theater, to art shows, and the park. There simply wasn't time.

Today was Saturday and her aunt had to spend it
working....again. Jenni looked sourly at her toes, chipped pink nail
polish met her gaze. Finally she sighed and got out of bed. She
dressed herself in a purple skirt and socks with a blue long sleeved
cotton top with stars across the front before brushing her long wavy
hair.

Heading down stairs, the wonderful aroma of French toast and
eggs greeted her when entering the kitchen. Zoë was busy dishing up
plates of hot food all the while talking on her cell phone with a
wireless earpiece that left her free to move about. She smiled and
gave Jenni a small wave before pointing to her spot at the table, an
indication for her to sit down. Jenni rolled her eyes and fought the
urge to say something rude as she obeyed.

"I need those files and that case study faxed to my office this
afternoon, and Tom, don't forget the footnotes…..thanks…bye
now." Zoë ended the phone call and removed the earpiece before
taking the plates of food to the table. She took her own seat,
asking, "So, how's my princess today?"

"Fine….you forgot the jam and I hate syrup on French toast. I can't
eat it.” Jenni said bitterly, pushing the plate aside and pouting.
She really didn't mind syrup, but inside herself she felt the
beginnings of a small coal sparking; making her blood hot with
irritation.

Zoë eyed the girl and wordlessly switched plates with her before
speaking, "Here, you have mine and I'll get you the jam for you."
She said and stood.

Jenni shoved that plate aside as well exclaiming, "This has your germs on it. I don't want it. You always tell me not to eat after other people." She finished with a hint of
sass in her voice, crossing her arms over her small chest.

Zoë's green eyes flashed, "I haven't eaten a thing on that plate, so
I hardly warrant that having my germs on it young lady. Secondly, I
spent the better part of this morning preparing this breakfast, your
favorite, as a treat to be enjoyed, not argued over. I do not
appreciate you tone and as for your attitude, change it right now or
I will adjust it for you. Are we clear?" She scolded firmly,
returning to the table with the grape jam and setting it near Jenni.

"Crystal…" Jenni mumbled, opening the jar and beginning to spread
the grape gooey sweetness across her toast and then decided against
it. In her frustration she had lost her appetite. Not knowing how to
explain her feelings she dropped her head into her arms resting on
the table top, her hair fanned out covering her teary eyes. Zoë
twisted her mouth to say something sharp when the phone rang.
Sighing she let her harsh words go and answered the bothersome ring.

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After breakfast had been cleared away, Jenni had curled herself
up on the living room sofa to read her new chapter book about a
horse ranch. Ten minutes into her fantasy the doorbell jarred her
back to reality. She remembered her aunt's rule about answering the
door.

"Aunt Zoë! The door, can I get it?"

"Go ahead; it's probably Bethany from next door." Zoë called back
from the top of the staircase, now making her way down while
fastening her earrings. She had on a pair of black slacks and a
cream blouse with a matching waist coat and slim black heels. Hints
of gold jewelry accessorized her look. Her own long auburn locks
were stylishly pulled into a French twist. Jenni unlocked the heavy
oak door and despite her sour mood from earlier, she smiled a bit to
see her favorite sitter.

"Hi Kiddo, I brought that puzzle for us to do today." Bethany
greeted and came into the bright parlor. The lithe teen girl had
dark brown hair, large brown eyes, and dimples to match her impish
smile. Zoë greeted the girl and reminded her where the emergency
numbers were and of some last minute instructions.

"…she has some homework, a math sheet that needs to be done today
and she may watch a video, but no more than an hour of TV. Any
problems, please call me." Zoë said while putting on her leather
jacket that tied around the waist.

"Alright, Ms. Kelly, I'll remember. We'll have fun!"
Bethany confirmed, hanging up her own things by the door.

Zoë knelt in front of Jenni and smoothed the bangs off of her
face, "I know I have been working a lot baby, but it's just for a
bit longer. Help me and be a good girl for Bethany, today. Perhaps we
can go to a movie tomorrow, or out to dinner, alright?" Zoë asked,
kissing her nieces cheek goodbye and straightening up.

Jenni nodded, knowing they probably wouldn't, but still, just maybe things
were changing. "Okay, but I get to pick the movie!" She smiled, happy at least her
aunt realized she needed her time and hugged the woman about the
waist. Zoë held her for a moment before breaking the embrace. The
two girls waved her off and Bethany suggested they start the puzzle.

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The morning passed quickly enough. Jenni had beaten Bethany at
Monopoly and Checkers and by 2:00 they both called a tie on their
final game. Bethany then prepared a lunch of tomato soup and grilled
cheese, the winner's choice. After which, Jenni offered to help clean
up.

"No, that's okay. I'll get it. Go ahead and get started on that math
homework you have. Let me know if you need any help." Bethany said
and began to load the dirty dishes into the dish washer.

"But my favorite shows on. Can't I watch that first? Please?" Jenni
begged with her most winning smile. Bethany couldn't resist that
sweet grin, "Alright, but as soon as it is over you need to get to work okay?"

"K…." Jenni agreed already making her way into the living room.
Mean time Bethany made a call to her boyfriend and before she knew
it an hour had passed… A little stressed for time now she hung up
and went to check on the girl. Jenni was sitting on the carpet still
watching TV oblivious that Bethany was right behind her.

"Hey kiddo, its time to do that homework now, and besides you've
reached your TV limit for today."

"But a new show already started. I'll do it after this." Jenni said,
not moving her eyes from the flickering screen.

"No, you'll do it now please." Bethany countered and flipped off the
set.

"Hey! I was watching that! Turn it back on!" Jenni whined shrilly
jumping up and reaching for the remote. Bethany held it up high out
of the girls reach.

"Give it to me!"

"Jenni, I said no, come on… I'll help you with the assignment and
it won't take so long." The teen calmly offered and was met with
blazing green eyes and a foot stomping fit.

"You're not being fair! I want my show!!" Jenni yelled her face an
angry red. The fact that she did not handle instruction well from
others, plus her bad mood from the morning already predisposed her
to shoot off and vent her anger at someone. The coal inside of her
was becoming a smoldering ember, ready to ignite.

"You can't throw a fit every time you don't get your way. I'm
being fair. It's time for homework."

"NOOO!" Came an angry wail followed by more foot stomping. Jenni
bawled her small hands into hard fists, pounding them against her
thighs, "Don't have to! You're just being mean!"

"Fine, act that way. I'm calling your aunt." Exasperated the teen
gave up and went into the kitchen to make the call.

Jenni mean while turned back on the TV with the volume full blast. A few minutes
later Bethany came out of the kitchen and with the TV remote still
in hand she shut it off. Jenni whirled around and was about to
protest when the teen thrust the cordless phone out to her. The
child paled a bit and swallowed hard not actually believing that
Bethany would follow through with her threat.

Jenni took the phone and winced as she put it to her ear, "H-hello?"

"Jenni, what's this I hear about you throwing a fit and
refusing to do your homework?" Zoë's firm, level voice came across
the phone line.

"W-well, I...." Jenni tried, but words failed her, her eyes grew
teary knowing she was in big trouble.

"All I asked you to do today was to be a good girl and you gave me
your word that you would listen to Bethany. I don't ask much of you,
but when I do I expect to be obeyed."

"I'm sorry….It’s just...I mean--" Her voice cracked, giving way to
the tears now pouring down her cheeks.

Bethany stood by, now feeling a bit sorry for the girl as she
was obviously getting a harsh scolding.

"None of your excuses, young lady. I want you to apologize to
Bethany, do your homework, and then go to your room until I get home.
You are grounded to your room the rest of the weekend." Zoë
confirmed her voice low as to not allow others around her to hear
her conversation. She had been in a busy conference room giving a
lecture about children's healthcare when Bethany's phone call had
interrupted her, so she had stepped out into the hall, near the
stairwell. She rubbed her temple with her free hand fighting a
pending headache.

"But-but…what about Sunday…the movie?" Jenni asked now crying,
severely disappointed that she would miss their date for tomorrow.

"I'm sorry Jenni," she said more gently noting her child's
discontent, "but you lost that privilege. We'll have our outing next
weekend alright?….Jenni? ......Sweetie are you there?....." Zoë
asked, not hearing a response from her child.

"Ms. Kelly, its Bethany, she dropped the phone and ran upstairs. Do
you want me to get her?"

"No, that's fine Bethany…. I'll be home as soon as I can. Just take
her homework sheet up to her room, so she has it if she decides to
do it. I'll see you in a half hour."

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Upon entrance, Zoë's ears were met with a piercing scream
followed by shrill yelling coming from upstairs--the very
distinctive yelling of Jenni in one of her full blown tantrums. The
fire had begun to burn:

"YOU FUCKING JERK. I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU…..YOU AREN'T MY
MOM!"

Zoë cringed as she heard the unmistakable sound of things being
thrown. She dropped her briefcase and purse by the door and ran up
the stairs. Bethany was backed up in a corner watching in horror as
Jenni, who was standing in the middle, hurled anything she could
grab from pillows to Barbie dolls. The woman hesitated a moment,
struck by the sheer mess of it all, knowing by the state of the room
and Jenni's thunderous wailing that the tantrum had been in effect
for quite a while now. Zoë deftly came up behind her niece and
grabbed her around the middle in a bear hug, making sure Jenni
couldn't get her arms out.

Jenni struggled and kicked, trying to fight her way out of her
aunt's strong hold, all the while screaming in angry rage. Zoë held
her tightly, saying nothing. Bethany stood there, with tears in her
eyes, mouth wide open, unable to move.

Finally, after several minutes, Zoë felt the fight go out of
Jenni's body and she loosened her grip, "That's it baby,… calm down.
Take some deep breaths for me." Zoë soothed trying to help
distressed child regain some composure. Jenni would have none of it.

"Stop telling me what to DO! I don't haf'ta listen to you!" Jenni
yelled, letting the physical fight go from sheer exhaustion as sweat
poured down her face, stinging her eyes. Hateful, red rage burned in
those green pools, boiling the surface ready to scald anyone who
dare try and tame her. Jenni struggled more against the older
woman's authority, but stopped, her muscles relaxing from such a
strenuous fight. A bit of fear pricked her, damping her inner flame
as she had forgotten just who she was talking to, but Zoë quickly
reminded her.

The woman turned the girl around by her shoulders to speak to
her, their matching eyes inches apart. "I want you to stay right
here young lady. I don't know what happened, but your behavior is
absolutely unacceptable.” Zoë cupped Jenni's chin firmly when the
girl had started to look away as she was not able to handle the
intensity of her aunt's powerful gaze. "Do you understand me? And if
I EVER hear you using that kind of language, or tone again, you will
be getting a mouth soaping you will never forget," she promised,
raising her hand landing two sharp stinging spanks to Jenni's skirt.

Jenni scowled sourly and jerked away. Zoë took a deep calming
breath, trying to remain in control. "I mean it Jenni! You
and I are going to have lengthy discussion about your behavior
today. Am I make myself clear?"

Jenni huffed and mumbled a `yes' as she flopped down on her bed, burying her tear
streaked face into her pillow.

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"Why is she like that?" Bethany asked, taking a sip of cold water,
still shaken from the incident upstairs some minutes ago. Zoë poured
herself a cup of hot tea she just brewed and stirred in a touch of
milk as she contemplated the teen's question.

"When she was younger someone she loved very much hurt her deeply.
She has a lot of anger and hate inside of her for this person and
sometimes her emotions are too big for her to handle, so she acts
out. Though she hasn't acted out like this in a long time. Something
must have triggered her." Zoë explained now sipping her tea.

Bethany bit her lip, her brown eyes glassy as she looked down
at her hands which twisted the hem of her shirt into a wrinkled
mess, "Was it something I did?"

"Goodness no and I wasn't suggesting it, it was merely a
speculation. I have a feeling I know what set her off and it
involves me, not you." Zoë answered feeling somewhat guilty.

"Still, I hope she feels better. I had better get going Ms. Kelly. I
have soccer practice tonight. Our first game is tomorrow." Bethany
said welcoming the feeling of relief and rubbed her eyes as she
stood from her perch on the kitchen stool by the island.

"Let me pay you and see you out." Zoë said and followed the teen to
the door where she took two twenties from her purse and handed them
to the girl, thanking her for her time. Once the door shut Zoë
leaned against it taking in a deep breath and letting it go slowly,
wondering how she was going to deal with her niece. A moment later a
loud crash came from upstairs followed by several smaller thuds.

"Not again…." Zoë said breathlessly as she hurried upstairs. Once on
the landing she approached her office and froze, her face ashen...

"What did…you do?" She half asked as she gazed in wide eyed
horror as her current thesis lay thrown across the room, ripped, and
trampled upon. Nearly two hundred pages all of which had been
painstakingly organized, typed, and edited strewn from one end of the
room to the other, along with broken CD's holding the
back up research.... All destroyed. Three years of her time, sweat
and study gone all in the whirlwind of an enraged child's irate fit.
Zoë brought her hands to her face covering her mouth, her eyes
blinking rapidly against the searing bitter tears forming in her
eyes, which were now taking in the whole scene. Her heels became
tangled in shredded paper as she stepped in the room.

Jenni backed up a step, her chest heaving from her intense
outburst. The blaze had forged its way through the woods; a
devastating, uncontrollable, internal struggle…

"You never listen to ME! This is the only way you listen! Only when
I do something bad!" Jenni yelled opening her arms indicating the
mess she had made and stomping her foot, her small face contorted in
crimson wrath. "Your always working, you're never here... It's the
same all the time! I hate it!" She spat venomously. That rage
diminished somewhat when she finally took in her aunt's expression.

Zoë's face went from pale shock to suppressed anger very
quickly. "Jenni... ..Go-to-your- room....RIGHT NOW!" Zoë broke the
silence yelling a sharp command and immedently covered her mouth to
keep from yelling again.

The little girl began to shake. Zoë had never raised her voice,
little long yelled. Jenni backed up another step feeling not as
brave as she felt the adrenaline leaving her system. She raised her
green eyes to meet her aunt's livid gaze with stubborn yet wilting
defiance, "NO!"

Zoë turned away from the girl and crossed to the far side of
the room, distancing herself physically, her body trembling with
emotion. She swallowed hard, the power struggle between them
drenching the air, slowly putting out the flames which had began to
vaporize.

"Jenni, do as I tell you… right now." she commanded, her voice now
low, frosty, and distant.

Jenni suddenly felt her blood turn to ice in her veins at her aunt's words. It reminded her of her mother's natural infliction and tone. Her mother who had abused her, left
her, said she loved her.....

The girl's feet became rooted to the spot, her bare toes
grasping into the carpet searching for some kind of reassuring
stability. Hearing no movement from her child Zoë turned around, not
fully trusting herself from lashing out she kept her
distance.

"I need you to listen to me, Jenni. I am very, very upset
with you, young lady..... and we each need sometime to calm down. Now,
for the last time go to your room..." Zoë said, her voice shook, her
manner sharp. The room was quiet for a long moment, the cool silence
deafening.

"But your not listening to me...."Jenni whispered softly, her voice
faltering and giving way to tears, realizing she was in really deep
trouble.

Zoë had had enough and her last string of patience and
reserve had broken then with Jenni's words. The woman crossed the
large room, quickly closing the distance between the child and
herself.

Jenni's eyes dilated in panicking fear and at the last
moment she tried to run, but Zoë was quick and took a firm hold of
the girl's upper arm, lifting her up onto her tiptoes and with her
free hand she delivered six stinging spanks to her niece's backside.
Jenni squealed and squirmed with each spank as she danced and tried
to block her aunt's strong right hand.

"Ow! Let me goooo!… Dooooonnn't! "

The girl wailed and was then led forcefully toward the office
door. Jenni dug her heels into the carpet and grabbed the doors edge
to keep herself from being pulled to her room where she was sure
punishment was to take place. "Nooo! Aunt Zoë! Stop....wait. ...I can
explain!"

Without a word the woman easily restrained the child's
wrists in one hand and lifted Jenni up by the middle under her left
arm and carried her with some difficulty, kicking and screaming down
the hallway. Jenni was petite and the weight of her small physical
frame was no match for Zoë's tall slim, but strong build. Once at
the child's bedroom door, Zoë set her still struggling niece on her
feet and pushed her somewhat firmly through the open door way.

"I want your nose and toes touching that corner." She instructed
her eyes wet with livid tears that had yet to fall and pointed to a
bare corner at the far end of Jenni's room.

"b-but...."

Zoë reached over and swatted her niece sharply once more,
hitting her bare thigh and leaving a pink print. Jenni cried out and
backed away toward the corner, finally obeying. "Do not move an inch
until I come for you." Zoë said, watching as Jenni placed herself in
the corner, her arms hugging herself for comfort.

Zoë left the door open as she crossed the hall to her own room where she paced back
and forth trying to calm down. Never in her life had she been so
angry, or felt so hurt by something Jenni had done. And the worst part for
Zoë was that she could not deny anything Jenni had clamed back in that office.

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A slow long hour passed….

Zoë sat on her bed, her knees brought
up to her chest and her head resting atop them. She had let down her
hair, which fell in loose waves over her face, like a lustrous silk
curtain to shield her from the reality before her. She had cried
quietly, her anger and sadness still very raw, but somewhat pacified
by her many tears.

Now that she was calmer she slowly drew herself to stand to check on her child. Her bare feet padded softly down the carpeted hallway to her niece's doorway. Jenni was still standing exactly where Zoë had left her an hour ago, her nose and toes touching the wall as instructed. Zoë crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned
against the doorway, feeling the need for the wood grain’s strong, stable
support.

"Jenni....." She started, her voice somewhat horse and stopped when
the child jumped at her word. Jenni slowly turned around, her back
now pressed firmly against the corner, her hands covering her
bottom. Like her own, the child's eyes were red and slightly swollen
from crying.

"Jenni, you may come out of the corner now."

The girl shook her head no; trying it seemed to melt into the
wall behind her.

"Are you afraid?" Zoë asked, keeping her voice steady and tranquil,
her normal tone finally returning to her. Jenni bit her lip and
nodded, a fresh tear finding its way down the now worn path of her
cheek.

"I'm sorry I yelled.... I was very shocked at the mess and what
you did. I am still very upset with you, and you and I will have a
very long talk about what happened, but for now I just want to hold
you. Would you like that?" Zoë asked and moved to seat herself on
the girls twin canopy bed, made up with handmade quilts and stuffed
animals.

In response Jenni guardedly made her way over and allowed Zoë
to lift her up onto her lap. The woman held her close and rocked her
one love slowly. Jenni's limbs were stiff from standing still for so
long, and she welcomed the relaxing movement and warmth from her
aunt's body so much that in her exhaustion she fell asleep....

<><><><><><> <><>

Jenni shifted feeling the soft warmth of her sheets tangled
around her limbs. Slowly she opened one eye to the quiet darkness
staring at the swirling pattern of her textured ceiling for a moment
before pushing herself to sit up. Her room was dim save for the sun’s
evening shadows dancing across the carpet through her drapes. A
glance to her clock told her it was 7:15, still awhile before her
bedtime of 9:00.

With some hesitation and butterflies swimming madly in her
stomach she slipped out of bed just now noticing she was only
wearing her pink undershirt and matching panties. Her aunt must have
undressed her while she was asleep she figured as she made her way
to the cracked door now opening it farther and sticking her head out
into the hall. She spied Zoë down the way in her room sitting on her
bed apparently typing on her laptop. Zoë had changed from the day's
office attire to comfortable jeans and a light blue fitted tank top
which brought out the flecks of aqua nestled in her green eyes.

Jenni eased out her door and made her way slowly down the well
lit hall. Her small feet left depressions of hesitancy in the thick
carpet. She stopped at the French double doorway to her aunt's large
room. Zoë still hadn't noticed her as the child studied the scene,
wondering how best to begin.

"Hi....." The girl's voice cracked the stuffy silence with a soft
whisper.

Zoë looked up quickly, taking off her reading glasses and
smiled tightly to her niece. For the first time Jenni noticed a
dimness about her aunt that she hadn't ever noticed before. Some of
the spark and light was gone from her eyes. The light had hidden
itself away somewhere in those large knowing windows and she seemed
older to Jenni just then, older for just a moment.

"Hi yourself," She greeted and patted the bed. The girl shuffled over and pulled herself up
to sit on the high sleigh bed opposite her aunt.

"What are you working on?" Jenni questioned with a bit of scorn in
her voice that Zoë could perceive.

"I just sent out an e-mail to my editor asking him for the copy of
my thesis back. It was supposed to be published this spring... but I
told him I had some more revisions to do." Zoë said softly without
blame or ridicule. She knew she had to be calm and patient with this
child, given Jenni's abusive history.

"So, it's not all gone? I mean... you still have a copy?" The girl
asked, wide eyed and somewhat hopeful. She hated that her aunt
worked so much, but she didn't want to her tantrum to have the bad
ripple effect she had originally intended when she had first been
upset. The guilt of her actions hung in a miserable cloud over her
head and in the sick knot forming in her stomach.

"Yes, my dear girl you didn't destroy all of it. Just the pre-final
draft I've been working on the last several months. The publication
will be pushed back until next fall or later even if needed."

"I'm sorry....I really am, it's just that--" Jenni was hushed as Zoë
put a finger to the child's lips.

"Before you go into your apology or excuses, I want you to listen to
me very carefully...when I put you in time out it was because I
needed one myself. I was very angry with you back there. More angry
then I have ever been, I think. I thought a great deal about what you
said, about my working all the time and being so busy, and I
realized I was really angry at myself for being so involved with my
practice. I promise I'll cut back on some of my hours to be home
more with you." Zoë paused, reflecting on the past few months of her
work schedule knowing she had taken on to big of a client case
load.

"But you don't get angry. I mean you don't show it." Jenni stated
genuinely perplexed at what her aunt was trying to say.

"I'm human Jenni; I have all the feelings you have inside of you."
Zoë explained, remembering just how naive Jenni still was about
emotions. "I'm just in very good control of what I show to you.
Maybe to much so, because one day you'll be out in a world where
people won't hide the harsh words and actions they may feel. I can't
protect you forever no matter how much I may want to."

The young girl pulled at a loose thread on Zoë's embroidered
bed spread contemplating what her aunt had just said.

"I'm not like other kids am I? I'm not normal like them. In school
and on the playground I don't always get stuff or I say or do the
wrong thing. The other kids seem smarter than me; not book smart,
but....people smart?" She trailed off, her chin quivering.

How do you tell my child that they are different or 'special'? Zoë pulled Jenni into her lap and the girl found her familiar crook of her aunt's lovely neck to nestle her head into.

"We've talked a little about this before sweetheart. Because of what
happened to you when you were small you were slower to develop in
certain areas, one of them being emotional understanding and
behavior. It's not your fault, nor is it a bad thing. It's just
something we will continue to improve on. Everyone has something
they want to change in themselves."

"Even you?"

Zoë smiled and kissed Jenni's wet cheek, brushing away the last
fallen tear with her soft lips.

"Even me…"

"I am really sorry. I wanted to hurt you for hurting me and it went
to far...It just came out."

"What came out Jenni?" Zoë knew the answer, but she wanted her child
to identify the feeling.

"My anger… There's too much of it." Jenni sniffled, her answer
coming out as a complaint.

"Well, we will have to remedy that won't we?" Zoë asked,
in one of her firm undertones Jenni knew so well.

"A spanking?" she asked in a very small voice even though she
already knew her actions would lead her down this road long before
she had had her tantrum. She instinctively wrapped her arms tighter
around her aunt, who reassured her with a soft squeeze.

"Yes baby, and besides your tantrum there is also the matter of you
going into my study. What is our rule about my study and my personal
things?" Zoë asked, gazing at her child.

"I need to ask you first," Jenni responded quietly.

"That's right, so here is what's going to happen. I am going to
spank you, and then you are going right to bed with early bedtime
the rest of this week. Tomorrow, we will clean up my office and your
room. Then you will apologize to Bethany. I will go with you, but
you will tell her you're sorry."

"Okay.” Jenni mumbled, lowering her gaze, Zoë lifted Jenni's chin
with one long manicured finger.

"I am never harsh with you, however there are times, like this one
where you need something extra in order to learn your lesson well. I
think a healthy session with a wooden spoon will benefit you
immensely because I refuse to experience a repeat of your behavior."
Zoë confirmed her fate, untangling Jenni's arms from around herself
and lifted the girl up off her lap and onto her feet.

"B-but you never spank me with anythin'.... pleeaassse...just use
your hand......it's enough!" Jenni wailed, nearing hysterics.

She didn't want a spanking. Especially not one with a certain
spoon she had encountered only once before, two years ago when she
had purposely added black die to a wash of Zoë's delicate whites in
her aunts preparation to leave town for a long weekend in Mexico
with friends. It was the first time that Zoë had left Jenni in a
close friends care to enjoy some much needed ‘R’ and ‘R’ for herself.
Jenni was angry and hurt so she vengefully destroyed Zoë's summer
linen outfits to hopes that she would not go.

"Not this time sweetheart....You need this. Now I want you to go
down into the kitchen and fetch me that spoon. You know which one
and bring it straight back here to me." Zoë instructed and waited to
be obeyed. Jenni backed up a step toward the open door but her feet
wouldn't will herself to move any farther.

"Aun' Zooeee...." she begged earnestly, her eyes tearing up again.
Zoë hated to be stern with this child, but she stiffened her resolve
convinced of her choice. "Do as I tell you. Now march young lady."

With that firm command Jenni backed out of the room and
quickly made her way down the dark stairway. Once on the main
landing she made a dash into the kitchen and to the cooking utensils
displayed in a tall clear vase near the stove. More slowly, she
clasped her small fingers around that long smooth handle pulling the
spoon out of its resting place. Jenni studied the stained wood grain
for a moment; scared of the sting this would bring her bottom. A
soft moan escaped her lips as she more slowly returned back upstairs
to her aunt's room.

Zoë was now sitting on the edge of her bed, the
laptop pushed over on her bedside table. Jenni approached Zoë, her
head down with her arm outstretched; extending the tool that was
soon to teach her with a shaking hand. Zoë took it, understanding
just how hard that march down to the kitchen had been for Jenni.

"That was very good, baby. Now, I want you to take down your panties
and go across my lap."

Jenni's head shot up, her lips trembled, "b-but you always-" She
started and was cut off-

"I will not stand to hear what I always do or do not do when it
comes to my correcting you. You're getting older so I see it fit
that you take some action in your own discipline by doing this step
yourself." Zoë explained and raised her brows waiting for Jenni to
comply.

The young girl slowly, numbly hooked her fingers in the
waistband of her panties and pulled them down to her knees, bending
a bit to do so.

"All the way down and off Jenni."

The girls groaned, tears sliding down her cheeks as she obeyed
taking the cotton fabric down her legs and stepped out of them,
finally handing the discarded layer of protection to Zoë who set
them on the bed beside her. The woman patted her lap expectantly and
Jenni moved to her aunt's right side, trying to obey, but she froze
up.

"I can't…..p-please don't s-spank me…I'm sorry!" She stammered and
backed up a step when her aunt reached for her wrist, now guiding
the girl forcefully across her lap. Jenni gasped in surprise as five
burning spanks impacted her bare thighs.

"When I tell you to do something young lady you are to without
question obey me. If I see you still having trouble with this I will
pay more attention to your thighs." Zoë said firmly, now wrapping
her arm around Jenni's small waist drawing her body close and
raising her right knee higher which lifted the girls bottom by
several inches and pushing her over at a sharper angle.

Jenni knew this was the signal that it was starting. She tensed her body
waiting, but nothing happened. She took an anxious breath that
forced her body to relax a bit.

Zoë took advantage of that brief moment and laded the first awful spank to Jenni's right cheek. Two seconds later another landed on her left. The girl began to squirm
as this rhythm continued.

"Ow!...Please… nooooo… ouch! Stop!" She begged and began to kick her
legs in an effort to avoid any bit of the building burn of her now
pink backside. As the burning intensified so did the twelve year
olds kicking.

After a minute Zoë paused for a moment sliding her arm under
Jenni's chest, lifting her up a bit as she opened her legs wide
before lowering her niece back over her knee and locking Jenni's
legs with hers. Jenni began to really cry, hating this restricting
position her aunt saved for her strictest punishments.

Zoë took the spoon in hand and rested it against Jenni's
bottom. The girl jerked forward at its touch. "I want you to pay
very close attention to me Jenni because I am getting tired of
repeating myself to you. We have had this same `discussion' many
times and I intend this to be its last. Your tantrums, language and
overall attitude have been asking for my attention lately. I would
much rather talk to you about your feelings with you sitting on my
lap, not over it. However, if this spanking is what you need to let
go and get those feelings out of you I am very willing to help you
with that." She said now raising the spoon and landing it sharply to
Jenni's sit spot.

The girl bucked and howled as alternate spanks landed back and
forth on her lower bottom where the crease meets the thighs, deepening
the burn. Zoë never spanked hard, just long, and steady and firm knowing
that every second Jenni was over her lap the girl was closer to
letting go.

"Nooo, oh…OW! I'mmm sooo soorrreeeeee… ..p-pleasssssee… .no more…no
more..."

She begged earnestly twisting and thrashing her legs with
little luck of escaping the wicked sting of that spoon. Her bottom
was a bright red with two cherry colored spots near her thighs where Zoë
focused the last of her efforts with a final dozen real zingers.

Half way through that last set Jenni let go of all struggles, both
internal and external, giving herself fully to her aunt's
correction. By the end she was sobbing hard, limp as a doll.

Zoë dropped the spoon now adjusting the child's limp body across both
her knees as the girl made no effort to calm herself down just yet.
The woman had tears in her own eyes as she rubbed Jenni's back in
slow circles and stroked her hair in a calming effort.

"Take your time baby; get up when you want to…"

It was a good five minutes of hard crying before the child made
any attempt to stand. When she finally did, Zoë helped her up and
immedently took her in her arms to sit on her lap. With the added
pressure to her bottom Jenni whimpered burying her damp face in
Zoë's breast, her arms tight around her aunt's neck clinging for
dear life.

Zoë rocked her, one arm wrapped consolingly around the
child, the other rubbing her back while murmuring soothing words.
The woman kissed Jenni's forehead, her wet cheek, and her nose
saying, "Your all forgiven princess, everything is alright. I'm not
upset with you anymore. Do you understand that?"

Jenni nodded, rubbing her eyes and looking up at Zoë, "I d-
don't like feeling this way. I-I hate being so angry all the time. I
just want to let it...let it all go, but it's always there, like
it's teasing me or something….Sometimes I can't control it…Like
today." She whispered, her voice shaking.

"I know baby, but you will learn how to control it, how to release
it in other healthy ways. I'll always be there to help you with
that." She promised patting the girl's red, sore naked bottom gently
a few times and kissing her cheek once more. Jenni let a bit of a
small smile play on her lips before she broke into a yawn. Zoë
glanced at the clock on her nightstand noting it was getting late.

"Alright little girl, I think it's your bedtime. Let's get you
washed up, hmmm?" She asked, unwrapping her arms from around the girl
who quickly grabbed at her aunts arms pulling them back around
herself.

"In a minute, okay? Jus' hold me some more… I don't want to be by
myself tonight. I'm sleeping in here… and my bear is too, he doesn't
want to be alone either." Jenni stated sleepily, leaving no room for
argument, which of course her aunt offered none.

"Alright, but Mr. Bear is staying on your side of the bed." Zoë
laughed playing along with Jenni's fantasy of her bear. "I seem to
remember someone's cold feet waking me up the last time he was in
here with you." Zoë smiled hugging the child once more to her
breast, deeply loving Jenni's imagination, her spirit, and her… for
exactly what she was; herself.

<><><>The End<><><>