Growing up McGarrett

My Room

I didn't need him to tell me twice, I ran up the stairs and into my room, leaning back against the closed door trying to control my breathing. He was pissed. Really really pissed. I'm not sure I'd ever seen that level of anger in his eyes before. Well not directed towards me anyway. I was scared. I knew he wouldn't ever really hurt me and he never punished me while he was angry but could I have just broken the camel's back? I told him to fuck off once and couldn't sit comfortably for a week after, this time I'd said it to a teacher, a much worse transgression in his book. He had threatened me with his belt a few times, would this be enough for him to use it? Don't get me wrong, he doesn't spank me all the time, just for serious infractions and boy was this one serious. I had no illusions that my ass was making it through today with just that one slap in the office. I slid down to sit on the floor and started to cry. Great big fat tears coursing down my face. As well as scared I was feeling sorry for myself, I was in so much trouble. But I had no one to blame but myself. Well I was blaming Bitchface too but honestly I knew that would not fly with Commander McGarrett. Why hadn't I talked to him about her sooner? We weren't exactly seeing eye to eye these days though. I seemed to be always doing something wrong. He was in a permanent bad mood too, which didn't help. Uncle Danny didn't even know why. Before I would have gone to him, told him what was going on and he would have fixed it. He was good at solving problems without losing his cool like me. My quick temper was going to get me into serious trouble some day, he always said to me. Well today was definitely that day. But she was picking on me. I wasn't the only one who was 'late' by her standards and she said nothing to anyone else. It was totally unfair and I was just sticking up for myself. Yeah right Sam, you lost your temper and any argument you had on your side went out the window when you cursed at her. See, no one to blame but yourself!
I looked at the clock. I had been in my room at least 30 minutes by now, the tears had long stopped. It never took him this long to cool off. Maybe he was plotting how to dispose of my dead body! Oh my God Sam, dramatic much?! I decided I'd better start some homework. Then my phone beeped. My phone! He hadn't taken it. Usually it's the first thing he does when I'm in trouble. All electronics are the first to go. Obviously in his angry haze he'd forgotten to ask me for it. Maybe he couldn't trust himself to speak. I shouldn't use it though, what if he walked in at that moment? I don't think it would help my case. But he hasn't told me I can't use it. I'll just check it quickly. The message is from my best friend Kimmy. 'Are you still alive?' it read. I quickly answer 'Yeah but maybe not for long. Waiting in my room. Suspended for 3 days. Have to write Bitchface an apology letter. Not happening!' I send it and then hear Dad coming up the stairs so I throw it in my drawer and pick up a book and sit on my bed pretending to read. I look quickly at the clock, almost an hour, jeez I hope he's calmed down.
He knocks on my door and I say come in. He would have anyway once he'd announced himself. I try to read his face to see if the anger is still there but he's giving nothing away. He closes the door behind him, walks over to my desk, pulls the chair out into the middle of the room and sits down. My stomach flips again. I close the book, put it down and look up at him.
"Come here" he says pointing to the spot next to him, his tone is stern but not angry. What, he's not going to talk to me? He always asks my side of things. Always give me the chance to explain, apologise, maybe grovel. But not today. Today he was getting straight down to business. "But Dad, you don't understand" I protest, not moving an inch from where I'm sitting. "What is there to understand Samantha?" he says, "were you late to class?". (Striiiiike one!) I mumble "Yes, but.." . "Excuse me?" his voiced raised slightly. "Sorry. Yes sir" I quickly fix my error. He continues "did you answer back to your teacher?". (Striiiike two!) I hesitantly answer "yes sir". "And did you use profanity to your teacher?". (Striiiike three and you're out!) I don't answer, I can't. My heart is thumping and my throat feels like it is closing up. I stare at my hands trying to think of something, anything that I could say to help myself but there's nothing. The fact is I did, whether I think it was justified or not. "I asked you a question young lady!" I'm pissing him off again. "I, I, I.." I'm stammering trying to think of what to say, "yes... sir" I say, looking down at my hands, barely audible but he heard it. "Well then I think I understand perfectly. Come. Here". I still don't move, my mind searching in vain for anything to save me or any means of escape from the situation. "NOW SAMANTHA!" Fuck! I scramble over my bed and stand in front of him. "I'm sorry Daddy" I sort of whisper, still not looking at him, as the tears start to streak my face again. "Do you really think the tears and Daddy routine is going to work on me right now Samantha? You are in big trouble and you know it". With that he catches my arm and manoeuvres me over his lap.