When her father went out shopping, warning her to get the laundry started if she didn’t want to lose some more privileges, she was up from her perch in front of the TV like a sprinter out of the blocks.
She ran and dumped an armful of clothes in the washer, and turned it on. There. Now he couldn’t complain.
Then she headed straight for his ‘study’.
She giggled to herself as she pulled out her keychain and quickly unlocked his door. When he’d installed the new lock on his office several months ago, she’d taken the packaging out of the trash and headed down to the hardware store. The guy at the key machine was happy to make a key for her, based on the code of the tumbler.
She’d be damned if she’d let him keep a locked room in the house without knowing what was going on there.
The computer was a different problem. She’d tried guessing at his password but no such luck. A few minutes online with some friends and acquaintances and she had a couple of new approaches lined up. Now was her chance to test them.
Expecting to be working at this for a while, she was amazed when the very first suggestion worked. Hitting the 3-finger salute at the login screen popped up a login window. She entered “administrator” as she’d been told, without a password, and – miracle-of-miracles – she was in, with full access! Two minutes later, following the instructions on her cheat sheet, the administrator account had a password, her password, and she had unlimited access.
She pulled out the USB flashdrive, with all the software she’d been given for this task, and ran the first two. Just like that his entire Internet browser was backed up to her little device. Another click and she was running her own browser, with all his bookmarks, history, saved passwords,
Now to see what the old man was up to….
* * *
“OH, GROSS!” she exclaimed, actually turning away from the screen. She’d been able to bring up his browser and visit the sites in his browser history. THAT was an education.
She was getting nervous, he wouldn’t be gone much longer. She shut down everything, pulled her flashdrive and shut things down. Locking the door behind her, her mind was still reeling with the new found knowledge.
There had to be a way to use this. Maybe this wasn’t going to be such a bad summer after all…
* * *
Harold was pleasantly surprised by his daughter’s new behavior. She’d accepted her responsibilities, performed her chores without complaint, and was able to converse without obvious condescension.
She’d also started taking care of herself again; cleaning up each morning, and wearing nice clothes, not sweats and dirty t-shirts. He wondered what had gotten into her.
For the past few days, she’d slowly cleaned up her act. She still could be slow to respond to his questions, and she’d put off her chores until the last minute, but they were getting done. She’d even stopped whining about how bad her life was.
The change was so noticeable, he’d even brought it up with his wife on her nightly call. Janice’s suggestion had been to give he room and show a little appreciation. He thought he’d give it a try.
Over lunch, which they’d eaten together for the first time he could remember, Heather confessed.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I’ve been thinking about things, about my future, and I’ve really been messing up. I’m going to try to do better.”
Harold was slightly taken aback. “You haven’t been that bad, nothing we can’t recover from. I’ll help you in any way I can, you know that.”
“I know. Lynn’s been telling me that I’m spoiled rotten. She’d never get away with the stuff I’ve done. Last time she got home past her curfew, she could barely sit the next day.”
Harold found his palms itching. Lynn? Barely sit? Jesus. That’s a dream come true.
“I’ve always thought she was the best of your friends, Heather.” What he really thought about the little waif was not something he’d willingly share.
Heather got up and cleared the table, then returned and stood beside her father, leaning back against the table.
“Daddy? Do you think that something like that might help me?” She asked quietly, her head bowed.
“Like what?” Harold asked.
“Punishing me when I’m bad. Not just take things away, but… you know, like Lynn.”
“I’m not sure I do. How is Lynn punished?” He asked, intentionally obtuse.
“She gets spanked.”
“Oh.” Harold was lost for words. Could this be for real?
They were both quiet. Several seconds of utter silence.
“Do you think that might help? I really do want to do better.” She asked, pushing.
“I… I guess it might. I mean, immediate feedback is always good. And that way the punishment is over with and you can go ahead with trying to do better.”
Heather leaned down and hugged her father tightly. “Thank you, Daddy. I hope I’ll never need it, but I’m so glad you’re willing to help me. Thank you.”
Harold could barely think straight. The image of his daughter bent over his lap, lifting her skirt and spanking her firm ass was burning in his brain.
Heather walked away with a smile and a sway in her step. “There,” she thought, “that was easier than I’d expected.”
* * *
The next day, she maintained the good girl routine, and after dinner, Harold thought she deserved a reward. While she loaded the dishwasher, he retired to the family room, and waited for her. When she appeared in the doorway he broke the good news.
“You know, Heather, I’m proud of you. Really. I don’t say it very often but I am. And I think we can return some of your privileges. You can have your phone back, and you can have a friend over.”
She ran to him, and climbed into his lap, something she hadn’t done in years. “Oh! Thank you Daddy. I’ll try to keep you proud of me.” She hugged him, and wiggled in his lap.
“Now don’t get carried away. You’re not off the hook yet.” He explained, shifting a little, feeling an uncomfortable stirring. “None of those boys are welcome over yet. You can have one of your girl friends visit, but you have to let me know.”
“Thank you, thank you!” she gushed and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. She slowly crawled off of his lap. “I’m glad you believe in me.”
She disappeared into her bedroom, and Harold thought some time spent in the study would be really good right now.
He shut things down before 10:00pm, thoroughly relaxed. He expected Janice to call soon, and check in. Her nightly calls were like clockwork, usually just for a couple of minutes. He wanted to update her on Heather’s new behavior.
Janice’s call was on time, as always, and they shared a short chat before he let Heather say hi. He told his wife that things were going well, and Heather was still behaving. He explained he’d returned her cell-phone to her.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Janice asked.
“No, but really she’s been so well behaved, I think she’s earned it.”
“That’s a pleasant surprise. I’m glad you’re getting along.” She didn’t add the words ‘for once’, although she thought them.
When the call was over, Heather stood in front of him, looking awkward. She was dressed in her nightshirt, and kept shifting from one bare foot to the other.
“What’s up, baby?” Harold asked. He looked her over, happy with her new look. She used to walk around with a tight t-shirt and panties, which seemed so sluttish for a teenager. Tonight she was wearing a long oversized t-shirt, light pink with a big eyed puppy on the front. She had big pink slippers on, as well. Damn she was cute.