Mike's pov

Shane and I are at the girls' highschool meeting with Lisa's and Julie's science teacher Mr. Kemp. After introductions and obligatory pleasantries are exchanged, we get down to business.

"Mr. Kemp..."

"Please, call me Dick," Mr. Kemp interrupts.

"Okay, Dick, I was quite concerned when Admiral Donovan filled me in on the issues you've been having with both Julie and Lisa in your class. First, I want to assure you that Admiral Donovan and I do not condone nor tolerate disrespect nor disobedience from the girls at home and they are well aware that kind of behavior is unacceptable at school as well."

"That's good to hear because based on their behavior in my class, I never would have guessed there were consequences for such insolence at home, Mike," Mr. Kemp smirks smugly.

"It's Dr. Horton," I correct him.

I hear Shane inhale sharply as he visibly tenses upon hearing Dick's snide comment.

I give Shane a reassuring look before continuing, "Trust me when I say the girls' behavior cannot be attributed to a lack of discipline in the home. Both Admiral Donovan and I punish such infractions swiftly and severely."

Mr. Kemp retorts, "I took the liberty of printing out copies of the girls' referrals for the both of you."

Dick hands us the copies before continuing, "If either of you can provide an alternate explanation after reading these referrals, I'd love to hear it."

After reading their laundry list of sins, it's quite difficult to maintain my righteous indignation. As much as I don't like this man, I can't excuse the girls' horrid behavior in his class.

"I know you and Admiral Donovan have agreed on a weekly conference call to keep us informed but I'd like to know if there's anything else we can do to assist your efforts in maintaining discipline in the classroom in regards to our two girls."

"The fact that you're willing to take the time to come down here and discuss these issues in person, along with your desire to keep the lines of communication open, is definitely an encouraging sign, Mik... I mean, Dr. Horton. Having the parents' support goes a long way in improving disciplinary issues with students in the classroom."

"We look forward to hearing updates from you soon, Dick," Shane says, while standing to shake his hand on our way out.

It's obvious Shane doesn't want to spend any more time conversing with this man.

Once we're in the car, Shane asks me, "So, what was your impression of Mr. Kemp?"

"After only two minutes time, I wanted to smack the shit out of him. There's something about that man I do not like and I don't trust him one iota."

"Oh, thank God." Shane breathes a sigh of relief. "I was afraid it was just me."

Once we arrive back at the Center, I summon Julie and Lisa to my room.

"Sit down, girls, we need to talk." The girls sit cross-legged on my bed while I straddle the back of my desk chair, after placing it in front of them.

"Shane and I had the opportunity to sit down with your science teacher Mr. Kemp this afternoon."

The nervous glances exchanged between the girls do not go unnoticed. "It was an eye opening encounter to say the least, informative and disconcerting as well."

"You know Shane and Dean Banfeld both punished each of us already, right?" Lisa is worried where this conversation is heading.

"I don't recall asking, Lisa, and you're dealing with me right now, so how Shane or Dean Banfeld punished you is none of my concern." I give Lisa a look indicating she best keep her mouth in check.

"The two of you seem to have a lot of difficulty getting to his class on time, paying attention, and behaving respectfully and I think I know why."

"Cuz he's an ass hat?" Lisa interjects.

I try to hide the smirk on my face in response to Lisa's inappropriate, yet spot on reasoning.

"Come here, Lisa, and give me your phone," I say sternly. When Lisa walks over, I grab her right bicep and pull her within swatting range, delivering three sharp smacks to her right thigh, eliciting a whine as she relinquishes her phone.

"You'd be wise to think before you speak, Lisa, because the next unfiltered remark to pass your lips will earn you a private session with my belt. Understand?" I keep hold of her arm until she responds.

"Ugghhh," Lisa huffs, and rolls her eyes, "you are so annoying."

I slap her right buttcheek hard four times.

"Now's a good time for you to practice answering respectfully." I narrow my eyes at Lisa. "I'll give you one, and only one chance to amend your response and if you value your ability to sit without crying, you'll take me up on my offer."

Lisa swallows hard before uttering a humble, "Yes sir."

"Sit down." I release my grip on her arm, swat her on the bottom, and point to my bed. I cross my arms on the top of my chair back and sigh before I continue addressing the girls, "Look, I understand you two don't particularly like Mr. Kemp and that's okay."

I stand in front of them, hands on hips.

"It does not, however, give you carte blanche to break the rules. That includes getting to class on time, sitting in the proper seat, paying attention, following Mr. Kemp's direction and behaving respectfully. This is a situation that requires all parties involved to practice some self-restraint. Do you understand what I mean by that?"

"I guess," Julie says, with little to no conviction as she shrugs her shoulders.

"Tell me what you think it means, Julie."

"Even though Mr. Kemp is a jerk, we have to pretend like he's not and treat him with the respect he doesn't deserve and his class with the importance it doesn't hold," Julie replies, in a defeated tone.

I'm honestly impressed with her assessment.

"I'd like the two of you to look at this as a good opportunity to prove to Shane and I that you're not little kids anymore and you can handle a difficult situation maturely and responsibly." I look at them expectantly. "Do you think you can do that?"

"I'll try," Lisa groans.

"Doubtful." Julie's at least honest.

"Not to influence your decision, ladies, but rest assured there will be consequences if you continue to misbehave in his class. Shane and I will be getting weekly updates from Mr. Kemp and disciplining accordingly. Do I make myself clear?" If they're not going to amend their behavior willingly, a discussion with Shane's or my belt may be incentive enough to change their minds.

"Yes sir," they both grumble hesitantly.

I have a feeling self restraint is going to be a painful concept for the girls to master. After the girls leave, I chuckle to myself, ass hat.

Julie's pov

It's Friday night and we're heading over to the cafeteria to meet Mike for dinner. He just dropped Shane off at the airport for a security conference in Munich. I'm pretty sure they were both on the conference call with Mr. Kemp this afternoon. I honestly don't know what Mr. Kemp told them but I do know Lisa and I have been on our best behavior in his class all week. I was late by like thirty seconds on Wednesday but since Mr. Kemp said we were starting with a clean slate, he only gave me a warning.

Mike's not giving us an indication based on his mood throughout dinner that Lisa and I should be concerned but he does have a good poker face so I'm still apprehensive. I can't trust Mr. Kemp to give an honest evaluation. I wouldn't put it past him to lie to Mike and Shane just to get us in trouble. Lisa's right, he is an ass hat.

After we're done eating, Mike excuses Carrie and Stacey so he can speak to the two of us in private.

"As you know, Shane and I spoke with Mr. Kemp this afternoon about your conduct in his class this week," Mike pauses, giving us a very serious look before breaking out in a broad smile. "Thank you, girls."

I let out the breath I've been holding way too long as I slump back in my chair and sigh in relief.

I hear Lisa mumble, "Oh, thank God."

"Mr. Kemp said the two of you were polite, attentive, and obedient all week. I'm really proud of you both. I know Shane is as well but I'll let him tell you himself when he calls later. I appreciate the effort you put forth to set your personal feelings for Mr. Kemp aside in order to treat your teacher with the respect due his position."

Now that I think about it, things were definitely different in his class this week. Lisa and I just went through the motions, saying and doing all the right things but with zero sincerity. Neither one of us had any fight left in us due to the stern threats looming over our heads of severe beltings promised by Shane and Mike for any disrespect directed at our teacher or misbehavior during his class. Mr. Kemp almost seemed disappointed at times by our complacency and acquiescence. I have a feeling he missed our little give and take, cat and mouse game more than he'd be willing to admit. We give him a hard time by flouting his authority and he gives us unwanted discipline in the form of detentions and referrals. Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for because you just may get it.

Mike stands and turns away from the table beckoning us over to him.

Arms outstretched, he says, "Come here," and pulls us both into a hug.

Even at fourteen years of age, I still find his embrace provides a tremendous amount of comfort and security. I always feel so safe in his arms, like nothing in this world can hurt me. Mike rubs our backs.

"How 'bout we grab your sisters and head to Dairy Queen for some dessert?"

"Yes queen!" Lisa says, laughing.

Mike and I just groan in response.