Arthurs secret

Arthur is eighteen and Married to Francine. They are living together in their new one bedroom flat and appear happy. Arthur has been holding in a nightmare that has plagued his "happy" childhood for years. His friends all new his family were strict but kind, only for Arthur this was not the case and when he opens up to his Wife, she seeks the culprit out despite her husband telling her to leave it...

What happens? who pays and ultimately why did happen in the first place?

Genres: Drama/romance Hurt and Comfort and
Story length: Short story (Four chapters)

Warning:
Contains, corporal punishment on a child which is sadly something that happens every day but it is illegal over here so...
I just wanted to make sure I had that warning.

NOTE: Nothing sexual or explicit is implied in this story

Might need an M rating due to mature content etc Violence
No language above PG 13 level.
No adult themes above PG 13

Ten years ago:

The read house week after the "Big hit."

Arthur had thought he dodged a bullet this time. He had done his time, paid the price and bore the brunt of his violence toward his little sister DW at school as well, courtesy of Binky Barns, Who would grow up to be an advocate for Parents and Adults against child abuse with his wife, DWs best friend Enily who was beaten up in middle school by the terrible tibbles.

Lets just say, a certian bulldog and his friends took the tibbles on while Molly consoled her. Needless to say it never happened again.

David led Arthur down into the den after sschool.

"You come here now young man." David had the belt out and ready.

Arthur had tears in his eyes. He was meant to be staying over at Busters that evening.

"Dad" he pleaded, "I didn't do anything."

David curled up his lips in anger.

"You punched your little sister in the arm" "You were not only cruel, you were violent towards a little girl who loves you very much."

"Dad" He cried. "I was grounded." "I even did all of her chores for a week."

David lured him over to the chair.

"You know what happens when you misbehave Arthur."

"Its always happening Dad." He quivered. "Mom says grounding is enough but then you..."

"Oh thats it Mister." "You dare back chat me"

"What happened the last time you did that?" "At five years old?"

Arthur looked to the floor and the tears fell.

"I was given the strap twenty times."

"You also had three days off school didn't you?" He growled "Because you damn well couldn't sit for a week."

"Dad please, just let me off the hook this time" Arthur pleaded again.

Despite his grounding, chores and the tough time he already endured at school for punching his sister DW in the arm, he was going to get the belt from his father.

David grabbed Arthurs hand and told him to rest against the couch.

"Close your eyes and say you're sorry"

Arthur wept that he was sorry and then came the strapping.

Arthur winced with each heavy lick to his jeans.

David was getting angrier with each whip. He was making sure Arthur would not be sitting for at least a a week after this punishment.

Once it was over, David put his belt back on and approached Arthur.

He burst into tears.

Wrapping his arms around him, David told him that he only did this because he loved him...

In his bedroom:

Jane placed an ice pack on Arthur's behind while he lay on his stomach.

"Its all over now sweet heart." She softly said.

"You can have your dinner upstairs if you want."

Arthur wiped his eyes.

"Yes please Mom."

DW was eavesdropping on the conversation.

Jane sighed and scolded DW for listening

"Downstairs for dinner now young lady."

DW grumbled. "Arthur deserved to be spanked by Dad."

Jane took held of Kate and carried her downstairs.

"Whats done is done." She said.

DW shrugged and went downstairs to eat her dinner while Arthur ate his spaghetti and meatballs upstairs.

As the years passed the family secret remained just that, a secret hidden behind the doors of David Reads closet where he sobbed at night into his wife's arms.

"Why do I do it?" He cried. "Hes my little boy, my first born."

Jane kissed her husband and placed her hands on his face to wipe away his tears.

Not once would David lay a solitary finger on his wife or DW but as the years passed by and Arthur at sixteen his final punishment from his father only sparked Davids rage to take his anger out on another child of theirs.

You mame him, you blame him

You shatter his knees

Blood spatters hit the wall

Yet you ignore his every plea

Dad I l love you, I hear you cry at night

Could you tell Mom how to help you?

So she can make it right?

Please dont belt me?

It was not my faukt this time

I do not steal or cheat Ive never committed a crime

Please hug me and teach, me things a father should

How too fish and play outside

Dad I wish we could...

Two years ago

Sixteen years of age.

Arthur lay in bed nursing his arm. He dabbed ointment on gis welts and tensed up everytime he thought of the way David overreacted to Arthur staying at Francine's house over night whilr her parents were away in FL for the weekend...

He was unable to attend school for the past couple of days and it worried Francine and his friends.

Two nights earlier, evening

Arthur yelled and screamed.

David threw the pots and pans across the room while Kate hid upstairs in her room crying.

"You're an asshole." Arthur sneered. "All you ever did was punish me with your straps and belts."

David was red with anger

"You deserved it, and you didn't look out for you sisters."

Arthur felt gis blood boil. Before he could say anything, his Father interceded.

"How dare you lie to your Mom and me about where you were going." He spat.

"You're too young to be sleeping at your girlfriends house, you hear me?"

Arthur folded his arms. "Francine's parents didn't mind." He retorted.

"They trust us to use protection." He knew this would rile his father up something wild.

"You little bastard." He grabbed Arthur by the arm but Arthur was stronger than he once was and kucked his father in the shins

"Aargh."

David lost his grip on his son and rubbed the bottom of his legs.

"The Frenskys dont mind." Arthur growled. "Why do you Dad?"

David was not going to take this. Arthur stood staunch when his Father ran at him.
Arthur went to block him but his fathers strength still over powered him.

He grabbed his arm and yanked it behind Arthur back.

"Ahhhh." He yelled.

David held him down and punched his twisted arm four times as hard as he could.

He unleashed his rage by twisting the skin on his sons arm until it went red.

"If you want to stay in this house, you obey the rules." He hissed.

"I'm your Father."

Arthur was to sore and sweaty to reply.

Once David let him go, Arthur rubbed his arm and walked upstairs while David cleaned up the mess he had made in the kitchen, before calling Jane to tell her DW needed picking up from Buds place.

Later on

Francine in stopped by. Her sneakers were muddy. Her and the others had been playing soccer afterschool. She had changed into her clean clothes and wores her hair up in a pony tail.

"Hey Francine." Jane smiled.

"Hi Mrs Read, is Arthur around?" She asked. "He text me yesterday."

"Hes upstairs, you are welcome to and see him." Jane replied.

DW then bounded up to her. "Hes in a grumpy mood so beware." The twelve year old remarked.

Francine furrowed a brow."Oh?" she asked. "Is that because hes been sick?"

DW looked at her Mother.

Jane warned her daughter not to say anything on a daily basis or her dad could get into a lot of trouble.

"Well yeah hes sick." DW shrugged. "Still a boring old grump." She said before walking off.

Francine went upstairs and heard Davids voice say "keep the door open please."

The brunette rolled her eyes.

"Whatever." She muttered.

When she peered in through the door, Arthur was lying in his pajamas on the opposite direction of the bed.

The evening sky lit up outside.

"Hey there." She said, walking over to him.

Arthur looked over and smiled.

"Hey."

Francine lay next to him on the bed.

"Are you still feeling sick?" She asked.

"Im starting to feel a little better." He replied while rubbing his arm.

Francine kissed him on the cheek and whispered "that's because I'm here."

Arthur laughed.

Francine then started telling Arthur everything he had been missing at school including the soccer game afterward.

"It was so funny." She said rather excitedly.

"Buster, Alan and me were playing against Muffy." "Who was with Sue ellen and George."

Francine continued about how pissed off Muffy was, knowing Buster and Francine would wipe the floor with her and her "it doesnt matter if you win or lose" couple.

Her boyfriend who was a good few years older than the flirty sixteen year old, was referee.

"Alberto would have played but it wouldn't have been fair" she said. "You know, considering hes practically a professional soccer star anyway."

Francine leaned back on the pillow beside Arthur.

"I am Glad he got his ball back eventually." She sighed. "It wont be long before he will be the one signing soccer balls for kids."

Muffy was onto a god thing dating the very handsome and talented soccer player from El Salvador and the Crosswire heiress knew it.

Francine was going to chat about Muffy and Alberto again when Arthur spoke up.

He sat up on the bed and looked his girlfriend in the eyes with sadness.

"Do you think we could just..uh." "Not talk?"

Francine just smiled. "Sure thing."

She stroked his back until he felt a little better.

" I wish he'd tell me what was wrong" She thought.

All Francine could do at the moment was be there for him.

"Will you stay for awhile?" Arthur asked.

"Off course ill stay with you." She softly replied.

Wrapping her arms aroud his waist, she yawned.

"Thats what girlfriends do isn't it?"

Present day

Arthur lay beside his new bride in their hotel room over looking the sea.

"Good morning Mrs Francine Read." He grinned.

Francine rubbed her eyes and looked over at him.

"Why hello there Mr Read." She giggled.

As the sound of the ocean echoed into their bedroom Francine feel silent.

Arthur rubbed her arms.

"Whats up?" He asked.

Francine bit her nails nervously. She had a strong feeling he already knew what she was insinuating.

"Well...Ive always wanted to ask you something."

Arthur knew his wife like he knew himself. They had been friends for long enough to know what each others body language gave off.
They often picked up on what one another were thinking too.

Arthur sighed and pressed his head against her shoulder.

"I know what you want to talk about sweet heart."

Francine nodded her head and stroked his small amount of hair.

"I'm sure you do."

Arthur then ask they hold off on any serious discussions until they got back from their honey moon.

"Lets enjoy the time we have left here." He said.

"Okay." Francine replied.

As they hugged his wife reminded him that whatever hurt him, also hurt her...

Let her in and tell her.

She will love you al the same

Get rid of all the hatred, so you dont ignite the flame

For when they day comes that you have a son, a daughtet or maybe more

Do not let the past resurface as before

If its too dark and sad I will remove it.
Otherwise please let me know your thoughts on this and who Francine should tell when Arthur opens up to her
She knows that something must be done, but who should know?

Her Parents? Buster? or should she just confront Jane read?
Also what is happening with Kate

TBC
Chapter two: Confrontation and Final results

In fact this story makes me want to grab child Arthur and give him a big cuddly wuddly hug.
Perhaps her should move in with Muffys Family? He her parents treat her like a princess and its better being spoiled than punished for things you did not do.