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One Leg At A Time

By

PJ Franklin <pjfranklinboy2@earthlink.net>

"Nathan! I told you two days ago to clean up your room! And that pile of leaves out there is not getting any smaller either!"

"OK! I'll do it! I'm busy right now Dad! Please let me finish watching this show!" and hands on hips I stepped in back of my cross-leg seated wide-eyed son only to see yet another music video of guess who, Colt Johnson or CJ as all of his loyal fans knew him.

I smirked, "I'll bet CJ cleans up HIS room and takes care of HIS yard when his father asks!"

Nathan could hardly take his eyes off of the admittedly talented singer-dancer,

"Get real Dad. Lucky guys like CJ don't clean up rooms or rake leaves!"

Now that was the limit. I was not going to be dissed from near or far by the ideas that any child celebrity put in my son's head directly or indirectly!

"No YOU get real!" and I stepped in front of Nathan and turned the televised self-promotion off!

"Dad! No! Come on!"

"No, YOU come on young man. To your room! I've had enough, you are getting a spanking!" and lifted my boy up to his feet, grasping his arm quite firmly to urge his cooperation.

"I'm sorry! I'll do it all now!" as he dragged his ass down the hallway in front of me, turning to try for a last minute reprieve.

"Too late!" I turned down his plea and we walked into Nathan's room. I closed the door, "You know the routine!"

"Fine! But I'll bet CJ never gets spanked!"

Unbelievable! I just stood there a moment viewing my mind's video of me throttling CJ or better yet, his father in some twisted plot to get even!

"I'll bet you a wooden nickel that your CJ puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like you!"

"What? What are you talking about, wooden nickels, that's lame Dad!?" Nathan said with too much sarcasm for my money and his comfort! I pulled up a chair,

"Pants down NOW! Shorts off NOW!" I barked and to his credit, my son obeyed and came to my side, tears already running.

I hated spanking Nathan, I did. But sometimes, it was the wake-up call that he needed to get his head out of the clouds of what could never be and into the reality of his ordinary life.

Nathan slipped his naked cheeks across my lap and then I spanked him with my hand, hard! I never had to use a paddle or other implement; Nathan's cheeks were tender as is and better yet, his mind very honest and pliable in the end. I spanked him until he broke down with good solid sobs and honest words,

"Please daddy! I know I was bad! It hurts!" and then I could stop and set him up standing. He never refused a hug afterwards and sometimes let it linger longer than many boys might have.

I put Nathan to task on both issues of room and yard and he did them as instructed. He seemed OK afterwards, but I was not OK. I was pissed and not at Nathan.

* * * * * * * * * *

Barely two weeks later …

"Dad!! What did you do?! You're on YouTube! You bitched CJ's father out on YouTube, are you crazy???!"

I grinned in a way that fathers should not grin, with evil intent. Yes, I had made a short slightly scathing video, got a YouTube account going and posted it for all to see.

No, I did not bitch out anyone. All I did was express my frustration using Colt Johnson's celebrity as an example of how hard it is to raise kids in this age of mythic celebrity perfection and wished the truth of their lives were a little more supportive of us ordinary parents.

Frankly, I doubted anyone would notice, but apparently I was wrong. I hadn't even bothered to check how many comments that my video diatribe might gather. It just felt good doing it.

Nathan rushed me to his computer and my mouth dropped. In only three days time, it had gathered well over ten thousand comments all the way from "That's fucked up!" from offended (spoiled) teen CJ fans to the MUCH more prevalent adult comments such as "Yes! A man after my own heart, you go sir!" or "I could not agree more!" signed by "Equally Offended Parent!"

"Dad! You're famous!" Nathan said.

"Not likely son, not likely!" I replied and felt quite good about the whole thing. End of story, right? Wrong.

Hardly 48 hours later I got a phone call and the caller's identity about set me back on my ass!

"Hello? This is Colt Johnson's father, Brent. Is this this man who posted the video about … how did you put it … mythic child celebrity lives?"

"Um … yes it is!" and I introduced myself.

I expected to be lectured and threatened with legal action, but instead I was treated to a profuse apology and offer to explain my position. I did, clearly and in detail about my son's adoration for his son and the spanking that Nathan had gathered as a result.

What he told me next DID in fact set me on my ass and in a good way. Nathan was not home at the time and sometimes the universe just lines things up with its own style and perfection.

One week later …

"Dad! I want to go over Jamie's tonight, can I?"

"No son, you're going with me!"

"Where?"

"You'll see … just get a bit dressed up."

"Dad! I don't want to go visit Aunt Esther tonight. Can't we go another night?" and he had fallen for my fun little trap, but did as he was told.

I knew Nathan hated visiting my wife's elderly dementia-riddled older sister. Aunt Esther was a bit much on the crazy scale even for me, poor soul. But Nathan was always very kind to her on these visits. Only I had planned my route to perfection and drove right by the nursing home.

"Dad? You just missed the home!" Nathan said looking a bit frustrated.

"Yes I know, we're not visiting Aunt tonight."

"Then where are we going?" he shrugged.

"You'll see, wait for it son!" and he sighed.

The closer we got to our city's giant sports arena the more anxious and fidgety Nathan got. I was having so much fun right now! He would have never guessed that I knew what was special about this evening though I was a little surprised that I had not heard more about it from him.

"Dad! What are we doing down here?!" he asked, getting very agitated, eyes wide as he saw the giant sprawling sign in front of the complex that said in giant black back-lit letters,

"One Night Only, Teen Sensation COLT JOHNSON, SOLD OUT!"

That is when I was glad Nathan was wearing his seat belt. I produced and gave him the two large event and back stage passes to the concert. I should have brought earplugs. My fifteen-year-old son screamed!!  "DADDDDDD!!"

I grinned. There are times when it's not easy to parent in this day in age. Then again, there are times when it's the most satisfying job in the world.

"Ohh! Not so loud son. No big deal. We're going to see … what's his name?"

"CJ! CJ!!! DAD! What did you do? How did you get these?? It's impossible! This show was sold out in like five minutes! DADDD???"

"Calm down son. It's not what you know sometimes son, but who you know!"

"Oh my god, OH MY GOD! I can't believe it! We're going to see CJ??"

"And … go backstage afterwards!"

"No WAY! NO WAY!" he continued his happy tirade.

"Yes way, now calm down before you explode!"

He did but it was worth seeing my precious boy so "Christmas Day" happy and in a way a father seldom gets to see. Besides, Nathan had no idea of what was to come, then again neither did I!

* * * * * * * * * *

The funny part of it for me was that the collective screaming and din from the nearly thirty thousand CJ fans was so loud, I never really heard the kid clearly sing. I saw him dance, it made me wince. I could break ten bones had I tried some of that boy's moves.

Then again, I had my own personal host, CJ's father, Brent Johnson. After just a little bit of standing just off stage from the arena's explosive sound, he took me into the back of the giant building to a quiet private room that had video of the stage and audience, but was otherwise an island of adult calm.

We talked. It turned out that Brent Johnson was an ordinary parent, just like myself. The in-house camera even zoomed in on my son sitting in the front row, screaming and carrying on just like all of the other kids proudly clutching his rare back-stage pass.

After the ninety minute concert concluded with the last of three encores, Brent took me back to the main back stage area where Nathan joined about thirty or so other lucky boys and girls that got to meet the kid star in person for special autographed deluxe programs.

I have no doubt that Nathan's life could have ended right then and there and he would have been happy to have gone through the pearly gates without looking back. That's what made the next few minutes really fun for me.

CJ's press agent and security marshaled all but Nathan back to their ordinary lives. Nathan looked confused when one of the big men singled him out and then CJ himself grinned to my boy,

"You must be the guy whose Dad put that video on YouTube, are you Nathan?"

That was my clue to step up with CJ's Dad as Nathan's eyes got as big as saucers and he sheepishly stammered, "Yea, I am!"

Then CJ saw me, "And YOU must be Nathan's Dad, great to meet you sir!" and he shook my hand, confidently too!

Nathan looked hilariously confused, "What's going on? How do you know my Dad? … Dad??" Nathan rapidly looked between his father and his teen idol.

"I think that's my doing son, I'm CJ's Dad," and Brent shook my son's hand. CJ was not to be left out of the fun however,

"So like Nathan, you got a big spanking because you didn't do your chores?"

I winced just a little as Nathan's whole body wordlessly cringed, his down-turned face turning strawberry red!

"Hey! Chin up Nathan my man! I get spankings too!"

Nathan's head bobbed up cautiously, "You're just saying that … no way!"

CJ humorously rolled his eyes,

"Look … when I screw up and I do, my dad hauls my naked butt over his knee and turns my ass beet red! I'm just a kid like you Nathan! Now come on! Let's go party together, my Dad and I are taking you and Dad back to the hotel for a few hours, just hang out, OK?"

Nathan looked at me, "Is he joking?!"

"I don't think CJ and his Dad have time for jokes son, just enjoy it!"

"Come on bro!"  CJ urged Nathan and then took off … running! Naturally, Nathan started to run after him!

"CJ! What have I told you time and time again about running on these slippery arena floors? You cannot afford to hurt a knee or ankle!"

CJ stopped all eyes on him, but especially Nathan's.

"Ah, come on Dad, chill. I'm just trying to have some fun with my boy Nathan here!"

"Chill? Right! Get to the limo, WALKING! You are going to get a spanking when we get to our rooms!"

"A … what? A spanking? Ah, come on Dad!" CJ seemed sincerely stubborn, just like Nathan might!

"MOVE IT!" Brent said in a way I could truly appreciate.

"Ah, OK, sorry! Come on Nathan, let's WALK … to the limo!" and they did, but Nathan looked back at me and I swear to God that his sheepish grin was worth all of the "I told you so's" in the world just then.

The limo ride was very nice indeed especially that CJ could have been a brat about the whole thing and instead was very humble,

"Sorry Nathan, I screwed up, you gonna spank me in front of Nathan Dad?"

Brent nodded, "I think that's best son. After all, you are beholden to your fan base and Nathan here needs to see that money and fame do not trump common sense and family values!"

"See, our Dads are a lot alike Nathan. So, do you think I'm a loser now?" CJ asked my son.

Nathan looked at his idol, "Loser? No! You're just … well, you're just a kid like me!"

CJ smiled, held up his hand to high-five Nathan and as they did CJ said, "Right on Nathan!"

The CJ touring entourage occupied several rooms, surprisingly all of them of the "economy" variety even if they were still of the expensive up-town kind. CJ and his Dad did have a two room connected "suite" so that son and father could have privacy; I thought a very wise thing given the unusual amount of time they must spend together.

At any rate, I don't think Nathan was convinced that his Grammy award winning idol, Colt Johnson, was really going to get his can warmed until behind closed doors in Brent's part of the suite, Nathan stood at my side, my arm around his shoulders and observed the Johnson "household routine." Even I was mesmerized.

Colt stood rather sheepishly in front of his seated father.

"Colt, you know I love you a lot, but how many times in the past two weeks have I caught you running on those dangerous arena floors?"

Colt sighed, "This was the third time Dad, look, I know that I've done wrong but do we have to do this?"

I looked at Nathan. He looked kind of disappointed. I actually hoped that he did not think poorly of Colt, but I was not unhappy that he got to see the real Colt Johnson and not some staged music video or scripted press conference.

"You know the rules Colt. Besides, this time you crossed a very important line and what was that?"

He sighed, turned and glanced at my son, even embarrassed,

"Other kids watch everything I say and do. I have a ton of privilege and that means total responsibility too."

"And did you act responsibly in front of Nathan?"

"No sir, sorry sir," CJ said quietly.

"What did you do that was wrong?" Brent persisted.

"I ran on the floor and back-talked you in front of Nathan, that was not cool, it was wrong."

"Good, now, hands on your head son!" and Brent pulled his son to between his knees and started to take the talented star's pants and underwear down.

I looked at Nathan and he lowered his eyes as CJ's bare bottom came into view, I was sure to spare CJ some humiliation.

"No, you will look right at CJ and his father, son!" I insisted.

"No Daddy please don't!" CJ started in as Brent then pulled his boy across his knees.

I looked at Nathan and his furrowed brow signaled maximal empathy.

To his credit, although CJ's face turned red and his eyes poured out a river of regretful tears, he held himself rigidly still, legs straight out with ankles pressed together as Brent laid on a series of very hard bottom-blistering spanks that turned the star's white bottom to a very bright red in a very short amount of time.

Colt Johnson was bawling before it was over and continued his sobbing for a little bit as father helped his son up and they embraced on the other side of the room from us.

"I love you Dad. I'll be good, you'll see!" CJ said and then accepted his father's offer of a hanky to blow his nose.

Colt put his clothes back on and then came over to my son, trying to look cheerful,

"Hey, you look about as bad as my butt hurts!"

It was true, Nathan looked pretty shook up and worried and looked at me instead of Colt,

"I ran too, do I have to get a spanking?"

That took me by total surprise! I was lost for words and not sure how to respond! CJ put his hand out to my son's shoulder just then,

"Hey, we all goof up. If your Dad says you need a spanking, then you need a spanking, but I get to watch, fair is fair, right Nathan?"

Common sense said that Nathan had not earned a spanking what so ever. Had Nathan been his usual self and complained, I would have had to agree, no spanking! But I sensed something far more important going on here and took a chance,

"Sorry son. You ran with CJ here. He got spanked, it's not fair if you don't share his sore butt, right?"

He thought a long moment then looked at me and nodded, "Right. I get a spanking too!" and looked at CJ for affirmation and got it,

"That's my boy! You'll feel better after, trust me!" and then Colt went to get the chair that his Dad had used before returning to stand by his father to watch.

I simply copied Brent. I sat down pulled my boy to between my knees, "Hands on your head!" and he did it. I undressed my boy to his bare bottom and then pulled him across my lap.

"I'm sorry Dad! Can't you let me off the hook please?" he asked, but even then, he was rigidly positioned, just like his idol had been, ankles together.

"NO can do son! If a spanking was good enough for Colt Johnson, then it's good enough for you!"

Granted, I didn't really have to spank Nathan as hard or long as Colt; but quite frankly, if I had not at least tried to give Nathan a chance to save face in front of his idol, I might have had a very unhappy boy on my hands and that was not what the doctor would ever order! So I spanked with my hand and spanked hard!

Nathan took his licks well and honestly and when he started to sob, I spanked harder until he began to bawl as Colt had. I must say, my kid impressed even me. Afterwards he stood and we hugged,

"I love you Dad, thank you for not letting me off. I'm just a kid after all!" he grinned and blew into an offered wad of Kleenex from Colt, "You did great! Just think, we got spanked together Nathan!"

Nathan rubbed his sore rear and sighed, "Not exactly YouTube stuff I guess!"

* * * * * * * * * *

The hotel room filled with laughter then and for the next few hours. CJ and his Dad were just down to earth people after all, no real surprise there I suppose.

I took Nathan home that night and as I tucked him into bed, I asked him,

"So, did I do good?"

"Are you kidding me? What other kid can't brag to his friends that he got his bare butt spanked with Colt Johnson?"

I laughed at my son's humorously frustrated expression.

"Next time Dad, let's just go visit Aunt Esther."

I chuckled, "Liar."

"Busted!" he grinned, "I love you Daddy. It was the best night of my life," I kissed his cheek, he closed his eyes and I went to bed myself.

The End

© Copyright PJ Franklin May 3, 2011

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Last updated:  May 3, 2011