When I was four

we lived in the Old Neighborhood, on West Field, in a sub-division next to Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio.  It was here that I learned what happens when you break the 8th of  Ten Commandments.

Thou Shall Not Steal.

Mom and I went to the grocery store to pick a few things up and when we were leaving I took a piece of grape bubble gum.  I must have known it was wrong because I laid on the floor board of the car as I chewed it all the way home.

When we got home

mom said “did you steal that grape gum?”  I had already swallowed it so at four… “I wondered how she knew.”  She then said “GO TO YOUR ROOM. You are going to get a spanking.”

I did what every other four year old would do….

I went to my room and rolled as far under the bed as I could so that she couldn’t spank me.  She tried.  I can still see the belt getting really close while she was yelling “YOU BETTER COME OUT FROM UNDER THAT BED.”  I was so happy about that.  I didn’t get a spanking.  Whew…

But what happened next…

was worse.  She said ” you can come out now.  I am not going to spank you.”  “but, you are not going to get lunch.”  No big deal… “I am not hungry anyway.”  Then she proceeded to make my favorite lunch, Grilled Cheese.  My mom made me sit at the table and watch everyone eat a grilled cheese in front of me.

I cried… “I love grilled cheese.  I am hungry.  I will take the spanking….”

Lesson Learned.  I haven’t taken ANYTHING that didn’t belong to me since.  The spanking wouldn’t have worked anyway.  I have had a lot of spankings… I am that child.  But the lunch thing did.