The Driver’s License Mishap

When I was very young (5-7?) my dad’s dad died.  I think natural causes although it was never discussed.  He lived in MD and we in Upper Darby, PA at 292 Kent Road, so he and my mom drove there for the funeral.  They were gone a few days so we had a family friend come stay with us.  When they returned, my dad was upset about something.  We soon found out what that was.  As usual, we were all lined up in the living room at somewhat attention.  We found out that his driver’s license was missing.  He wasn’t pulled over but what if he had needed it?  One of us must have taken it.  I think he surmised this after he tried to find it.  When no one claimed to be the thief after about 5 minutes of standing there, and I didn’t believe any of us did it, I said that I took it.  Why did I do this?  I figured they would be let go, I would find it and all would be well again.  I might even get a pat on the back for helping out my dad and everyone else.  Boy was I mistaken.  He dismissed everyone and took me up to my room (which I shared with my two other brothers).  He told me to pull down my pants, bend over the bed and proceeded to whip my behind with his belt.  I don’t know how many times he struck me but I sure hurt, I screamed and was just one big tear drop.  I thought, “Now why did I admit to this again?”  But I thought I couldn’t fess up now as I would be a liar one way or the other and everyone would have to visit the living room again.  He wanted me to get the license immediately!  I started looking for it.  He felt I was stalling so we visited the bedroom again for another round.  I think we did that 1/2 dozen times in all, never finding the license.  I think the only place I didn’t look was their room as I figured he had done this already.  After he died in ‘65, I heard that he did find it in his jewelry box a few days later.  Why it was ever put there at all I don’t know.  Did he ever apologize to me?  No but I would like to think he was just too embarrassed and didn’t know what to say or maybe how to say it.  I don’t remember sitting down for quite a while without being in some pain.  It sure taught me a lesson!  If that were to happen today, no belt would be involved and we would find the license.  Amazingly, I have the jewelry box the license was in (unless my wife got rid of it with the rest of my stuff).  I did love my dad too even after this.  After all, I was born on his birthday and shared his middle name.  I miss him and wish I would have gotten to know him better.