The Thanksgiving Holiday is stressful with the family gathering.  Many people, from two families and of several generations are crammed into a tiny space.  It is easy for trivial things, e.g., which football combats should be on the big screen TV, to escalate into big ados and long term grudges.© Y Lee Coyote

Normal issues such as a youth’s adolescent clashes with his father that could normally be easily settled but with zillions of witnessers can easily and swiftly escalate into a shouting match and worse as each party is afraid of losing face.

The Seacoy household was such a tinderbox.  Fred was the stereotypical fifteen-year-old with raging hormones trying to discover himself and full of teen angst.  His father, Loren at thirty-five, had his problems as well.  They were similar in that the underlying issues were what he worried about becoming older, losing his youthful vigor and if he would get that promotion with more power and remuneration.

There was one issue each was sure about.  That he was correct and knew everything.  Well, all that mattered within his own universe.

Just as a horny adolescent boy pops a boner if the sun flares an authoritarian man can lose his cool.  The tinderbox was ready and primed.  All that was needed was a spark.

Actually, the spark was optional.

It was early, about one p.m. and many had arrived for socializing (and, truth be told, to see the first football game) before the three p.m. dinner time.  There were only two others at this affair that we need to be concerned with.  First is Fred’s uncle, Leon, who is his father’s older brother.  Second is his cousin Pete who is considered the black sheep of the family as he is at twenty-eight still the wild boy although he has really done well and is the CEO of prosperous internet startup.

When the spark did its task triggering the flare up between Fred and his dad, Pete realized it at once.  Based on his family experience he saw all the early signs like some twenty years ago and alerted his dad Leon to distract his kid brother.  And he told Fred “Get your coat and we’ll take a ride in my new car.”  Knowing his cousin’s duel reputation, he knew that would be a wild ride and get him away from brewing war.  Leon was able to calm down his kid brother.

* * * * * * * * * *

The chill in air cleared both their heads from the overcrowded stuffy house.  When Fred saw the silvery Pors‌che 718 he was thrilled and forgot totally about his developing fight with his dad for he never been so near to any car even remotely similar and so super sexy.  He anticipated an exhilarating ride like he never had before.  He was not disappointed although he wished that they were on a raceway where they could really fly.

Pete had not been driving randomly for he turned off the expressway and then into an old roadhouse restaurant.  They had scrumptious thick steaks.  It was only then that Pete got serious and explained to Fred why he dragged him away from the family.  “I have terrible memories of twenty years ago at our Grands’ house on T-day.”

At this Fred became totally attentive.  “Your dad was your age and feeling his hormones just like you are.  The fight with our Granddad was spectacular and scared this then eight-year-old.  The day was ruined to say the least.  Well with one exception – Gramps took his belt to your dad’s bare tail with all watching.”

“Bare?  As in pants down?”

“Exactly!  It was not a good gathering after that.  That is why I dragged you away.  It was talked about for a decade embarrassing your dad.”

“Thanks, cousin, for saving me from such a fate.  But won’t we be missed?”

“Not so much and I’ll get the blame as the black sheep of the family.”

Pete’s phone buzzed again.  “I better answer some of these messages.”  After reading, he added.  “Things are wrapping up and Gramps said ‘I guess I did belt him enough twenty years ago.’”  Fred could not help laughing as his cousin keyed in a response.  “I’ve told them when we’ll be back so your mom won’t worry and that we ate.”

“What would have happened if I hadn’t dragged you out?”

Fred reflected on this a while.  “Dad would have blown his top and roasted my ass.” he paused “Thanks again for the rescue.”

“You still deserve that roasting but not as a family show.”

Fred did not respond.

* * * * * * * * * *

When they returned the house was very quiet compared to mid afternoon.  Their dads were both in the family room and their moms still working in the kitchen.

Pete immediately moved into his executive ‘clean up this mess and now!’ mode.  He gave a detailed summary of present and past T-day dramas.  He was careful to include a notorious teen/father shouting match with its the subsequent spanking.

Loren blushed a deep red on hearing that.  Leon added that just hours ago Gramps said he obviously let you off to easy since the lesson about proper behavior at family gathering had not stuck.

“It was only my separating you two that prevented another destructive flight.  You both are due a proper strapping.  I shall do the honors here and now.”

Of course the two miscreants objected especially the older one.  “Now let’s vote on if this is the correct next step.”  The motion carried 3-2.

“Loren stop being a baby about this and get over the end of the couch.”

“But I’m too old to be spanked.” he whinged.

“Nonsense!  Get into position immediately Loren.” snared his big brother.  Reluctantly he did and Pete’s belt spoke some twenty times.  Initially he took them silently and stoically but near the end he was reacting verbally.  His ass turned a bright hot red for the first strapping he got in fifteen years.

Fred had decided to be as manly as he could and got into position without a word.  He gripped the cushion tightly as Pete wielded his belt for another twenty cuts.  He made more noise than his father while his tail turned the same bright red.

Leon along with his wife went home.  Pete followed to stay his old room for a visit.  Most important Fred and his dad managed to have a real conversation for the first time in years.