Parker

Chapter 7

Parker tried to be on his best behavior. He desperately wanted to make his dad proud of him and prove to him that he could trust him. But after two hours sitting in his office only going to the bathroom and the break room for snacks he grew restless.

He tried to resist the urge to leave. Told himself to stay put and our of trouble. But he could not help himself. He had to get off his office or he would go insane.

I'll just take a short walk he thought. My dad is probably so busy right now he will never know. I'll just take a five minute and come right back to the office.

A lump formed in his throat as he stepped into the hallway. A voice in the back of his mind screamed at him not to do this, pleaded with him to go back into the office, begged him not to disappoint his father once again.

You made a promise the voice said. You promised that you were going to be good. You gave your father your word that you were going to behave yourself.

Don't do this the voice told him as anxiety grew inside of him.

He found it difficult to breathe as the compulsion to go back into the office grew inside of him. He looked up and down the hardly nervously expecting his father to appear at anemometer with belt in hand.

Maybe I should go back inside he thought. He was about to go back in when but then pushed the anxiety aside. No he commanded himself. I can't spend on more minute in the stupid office.

I need to get out.

Parker then walked down the hall away from the showroom. His stomach tied in knots as he passed the service customer lounge and then walked to the end of the hall where the service area.

The three guys working at the desk said hello to him. He said hello back hoping none of them would call his father. But then he realized that they probably did not know who he was. He only ever really met the other two managers and the salesmen not the service people.

I'm safe he thought.

He then walked outside and took in a deep breath of the fresh air. He leaned against the wall for a few minutes enjoying the change of scenery.

I should go back Parker thought. My dad might check on me and I don't want him to find me missing.

He then looked at the second building next to next the dealership. It was a smaller building that he was always curious about.

I can take a quick peak.

He walked to the building where a line of new Mazda MX-5's sat. The dealership was primarily a used car dealer but it did not sell luxury sports cars as well.

Parker opened the door to find himself in a second showroom. Smaller then the one his father worked in. There were only two or three desks which sat empty. And two MX-5s on display.

Okay this is weird he thought.  Why isn't anyone over here. He then walked around the cars looking inside of them. He then opened the door and slid inside.

He wished he could drive one but unfortunately did not know how to drive a stick.

"Excuse me." A voice said causing him to jump of out of the car.

"I wasn't doing anything." Parker said as panic filled him. His heart began to pound in his chest and he was sure he was going to have a heart attack any moment.

"Relax." The smiling teen who was wearing a blue shirt with a name tag that read Ken said. He stood five nine, his brown hair was buzzed cut, and his ears were adorned with small cross shaped earrings. "Hi I am Ken."

"I'm Parker." He said. "You're one of the lot boys right?"

"Yes." The eighteen year old whoae last name was Barrow said. "And you are Rodger's son right."

"Yeah." He said in surprise.

"I saw you arrive with your father." Ken said as he walked around the car. "You like the Miata."

"Yeah its cool." Parker said.

"Do you want to take a ride in one?" Ken asked.

Excitement filled his face. "You serious?"

"Yeah." Ken said. "I have to take one of the ones on the backlot to the gas station to get filled up. You can come with me if you want."

"I do." He said barely able to contain himself.

"Let's go."

Parker said as he followed him out completely forgetting about his father and returning to his office.

Twenty minutes later they pulled back into the back lot. "Thanks." Parker said.

"Anytime." Ken said as he pulled the car into its spot. "Do you want to go again?"

"I better not." Parker replied.

"Okay."

They got out and Parker's heart sunk into his chest as he saw his father walking towards the car.

"Dad!" His chest swelled up with fear.

"Let me guess." Rodger said as crossed his arms. "Its not what it looks."

Parker hung in his head in shame. "No, dad. Its exactly what it looks like."

"Rodger he just took a ride to the gas station with me." Ken said.

"And since when are you allowed to offer rides to people who don't work here." Rodger said and Ken looked away. "I thought so. Ken go wait in my office."

"Yes sir." Ken said and then gave Kelly a sympathetic look before walking away.

"Let's go." Rodger grabbed his son's arm and led him to the back entrance of the second building. Parker did not try to plead his case but realized it was no use. "You say that I can trust you and then you pull something like this." He marched him to a stair case that led to the second floor. "Go."

He pointed up the steps and Parker rushed up.

"And to think I was beginning to think I was being too harsh on you." He said as they walked down a hall that had three offices. "But you have proved to me that I can't take my eyes off of you for a second."  They came to third office and he opened the door. "In."

Parker walked in about three feet and stopped. His body trembling as his father closed the door.

"Turn around."

Parker turned to face him, his face was a mask of terror.

"Would you care to explain yourself young man?" Rodger asked.

"I was bored, I went for a walk, decided to explore this dealership met Ken who invited me to take a ride in one of the Miatas."  He said. "I had never driven in one."

"I hope your little adventure was worth it."

"It wasn't dad." Parker said as tears formed in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Stop being sorry and start doing what is expected of you." Rodger said with frustration.

"Yes dad."

"Let's see you disobeyed me by leaving the dealership without my permission and then compounded your disobedience by leaving the propety."

"Yes, dad." Parker said as his dad walked past him.

"Well you can forget about watching the Witcher tonight." Rodger said.

"I understand sir."

"And you are grounded for another two weeks."

He then broke out in tears.

"Face me." Parker faced him. Rodger felt twinge of sympathy as he looked at his tear stained face. He felt bad for his son but did not allow that to deter him from the punishment he was going to give him.

"Take off your belt." Parker pulled off his belt and his father held out his hand. "Give me." Parker handed him the belt and he watched as his father folded it. "Go place your hands on the edge of the desk and stick your backside out."

Parker walked silently to the desk and assumed the position. He closed his eyes as he waited for the beating to start.

A minute later the office was filled with the sounds of the crack of the belt and Parker's cries of pain.