Mike's pov

"I'll take care of it, Neil." The girls have really outdone themselves this time. Neil's just shared with me some security footage from the NJC's cameras that the guards alerted him to earlier, starring the girls.

"See to it that you do because trust me, Michael, if I have to handle this myself, you and the girls will be taught a lesson not soon forgotten. Do I make myself clear?"

Neil's tone sends a chill down my spine. Even as a grown man, Neil still has the ability to reduce me to the state of a petulant child fearing his daddy's discipline.

"Yes sir, I understand." Through the years, I've come to realize Neil's been much more than a vocational mentor to me, he's really been more like a second father.

I head to the girls' room and inform them I'd like to speak to them.

"In my room in ten minutes please, ladies," I state, rather matter of factly.

Mike's room

Mike's pov

"What's up, Mike? Why have we been summoned to your lair?" Lisa asks, a little too casually. They have no idea why they're here.

"I'd like the four of you to take a seat on my bed." The girls should recognize my tone indicates this isn't really a request.

Julie, Stacey, and Carrie take a seat on my bed. Lisa sits in the chair by my door and starts scrolling through something on her phone. Oh, if only life was ever easy.

"Lisa, I asked you to take a seat on my bed," I say sternly, giving her an unhappy glance.

"Why can't I just sit here?" Lisa continues to resist my direction.

"You can take a seat on my bed or one face down over my lap, the choice is yours." I remove my suit coat and hang it on my desk chair as I now stand in front of Lisa, hands on hips awaiting her decision.

"Okay. Still don't know what the big deal is," Lisa mumbles, getting up as she wisely chooses to sit on my bed.

"Umm, no offense, Mike, but can we move this along? I kinda have things to do," Stacey joins Lisa in trying my patience.

I turn my back to the girls, close my eyes, and take a slow deep breath just like Dr. Evans suggested, to quell my temper.

"Stacey, the spot over my knee is still available as your sister wisely chose another one. Would you like to occupy it now?" I turn around and narrow my eyes at my oldest daughter. She should know better than to speak to me that way.

Recognizing the look in my eyes and realizing what typically follows it, Stacey remains silent as she shakes her head no.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I continue, "I need to speak to the four of you about some surveillance footage the Center's security guards made Dr. Curtis and I aware of this morning."

Judging by the fidgeting and nervous glances exchanged amongst my daughters, the purpose of this meeting is becoming quite evident. I continue to stare them down, wanting them to be as uncomfortable as possible right now knowing the conversation we're about to have. None of them are willing to make eye contact. I want the girls to know my position on this without a shadow of a doubt but I also want to be realistic and understanding about the pressures they face from their peers.

"I'm going to try my hardest not to yell or lose my temper, girls. I want to have a very frank and honest discussion with the four of you about this but you also need to understand that I am in no way, shape, or form condoning your behavior or absolving you of any consequence. Is that clear?"

The girls look at each other, unsure of how this is going to play out. They eventually nod their heads in agreement, still avoiding my gaze. I really wish Shane wasn't in London on business right now so he could help me out but I know I need to handle this myself in order to avoid Neil conducting this conversation with the girls very "one-sidedly" with his paddle.

Well, here goes nothin'. "Where did you get the vape pen, girls?"

All four pairs of eyes nervously dart around the room. The thick silence enveloping us is quite unnerving.

"You're going to need to become a tad more vocal, ladies, for this to work. I want you to speak freely about what prompted this and how we're going to work together to end it. Okay?"

"But how can we speak freely if you're not willing to forego punishing us?" My oldest has found her voice, albeit still timid and hesitant at this stage.

"Stacey, if you think for one second I'm going to allow the stunt the four of you pulled last night in the woods to go unpunished, those chemicals you've been inhaling have obviously already polluted your brain. If, however, you truthfully answer my questions and are willing to cooperate, I will forego any corporal punishment."

I really hope I can get through this without having to physically discipline any of the girls, especially since it seems like lately our belts have spent more time in our hands than around our waists. Placing my desk chair in front of them, I take a seat, lace my fingers together, close my eyes and breathe in deeply.

"I already know what you've done. I've seen the footage. Look, I know a lot of teenagers are vaping now because they think it's cool or safer than smoking but I'm pretty sure the four of you know it's not only illegal at your age, but unhealthy and potentially addictive as well. If any of you are feeling pressured to smoke, drink, or do other drugs, I hope you know you can come to Shane or I anytime to talk. If you don't feel comfortable speaking to us, you can always speak to Dr. Evans, Dr. Curtis, any other guardian, a teacher or counselor at your school, or our pastor or youth pastor..."

Speaking for everyone, Stacey interrupts, "We know, Mike, we have lots of people we can talk to. We get it, okay."

"Okay, we'll move on. Yes, there will be consequences for your actions but I'm not going to punish you for being open and honest with me. I will, however, make your punishment much more unpleasant if you refuse to talk to me or lie to me. Understand?"

"Yeah, I guess," Stacey says reluctantly.

"Good, now this is the last time I'm going to repeat myself. Where did you get the vape pen?" I really hope they don't continue to stonewall me.

"Technically it's a mod, not a vape pen." The perfectionist in Lisa will no longer allow her to hold her tongue. Lisa gets the "look" from me, prompting her to continue, "We got it from a kid at school."

"What kid, Lisa?"

Lisa looks to Stacey and Julie for guidance.

"We're not gonna rat anyone out, Mike," Ahhh, Julie chimes in, stubborn as ever.

"That child's parents have a right to know what their offspring is up to, Julie. I'm trying to have a civilized conversation with you all but if you'd rather discuss the details with Dr. Curtis and his unforgiving wooden paddle, be my guest."

Julie sighs and leans back but smartly keeps her mouth shut.

"Name, Lisa."

Lisa looks down and anxiously picks at her fingernails.

"You know how unhealthy vaping is, Lisa. If giving me this person's name can lead them to quit this damaging habit, don't you want to help?"

"I guess, I just don't want to be a snitch."

"When it comes to protecting your health and welfare, I certainly hope somebody would be willing to snitch on you." I need Lisa to understand this is the right thing to do.

Lisa relents and gives me the student's name. I write it down, intending to make that uncomfortable phone call to his parents at a later time.

"I want an honest answer to my next question, girls. How many times have you vaped before last night? Julie?"

"That was the first and last time, Mike. I honestly didn't like it. I just wanted to see if it lived up to the hype, and it didn't."

She's telling the truth.

"Carrie?"

"I swear it was just that time, Mike. Honest." My sweet, although not completely innocent, baby girl crosses her heart as her eyes pool with tears. "I'm so sorry, Mike."

I sadly shake my head in response, knowing nothing punishes Carrie worse than thinking she's disappointed either Shane or myself.

"Stacey?"

"Last night was the third time." Stacey absentmindedly pinches her earlobe. She's lying.

"One more opportunity to answer me honestly, Stacey Marie."

She looks me in the eyes, then quickly looks down at the floor.

"I've been vaping for just over a month now. I honestly don't know how many times I've done it." Stacey continues to avoid eye contact.

"Nicotine or THC?" I ask.

"Only nicotine, I can't afford THC." Stacey mumbled the last part under her breath but I still heard her.

I cleared my throat loudly and intentionally, indicating I'm not amused by my oldest's comment.

"Stacey, look at me," I say with concern, not anger. When she finally obeys, I say, "Thank you for being honest, darlin', but understand unequivocally, last night was the last time. Make no mistake about it, we will do whatever's necessary to end this habit. Do I make myself clear?"

Stacey nods.

"I need a respectful verbal response, sweetheart." Stacey needs to know I'm dead serious, but not angry.

"Yes sir, I understand."

Last, but I'm afraid, certainly not least.

"Lisa?" Judging by the look on her face, I know I'm not going to like her answer. Lisa continues to fiddle with her fingers avoiding my question. "Lisa?" I repeat, much more sternly this time.

She swallows hard before saying, "It's been about three months now."

I snap my head up in shock. I cannot believe she's been vaping this long and Shane and I were completely oblivious.

"I'm going to get you whatever help you need and we're going to work together to put an end to your addiction, Lisa. Are you with me on this? Are you willing to do whatever it takes?" I ask hopefully.

"I'll try, Mike, but I've tried to quit before," Lisa replies, sounding defeated.

Rising to my feet, I say, "Come here, Lisa."

Slowly and cautiously, she stands in front me. I pull her into my arms, hugging her tightly. I want her to know she's safe here and she can depend on me to protect her.

Holding her face against my chest and rubbing her back, I tell her, "It's gonna be ok, darlin'. We'll get you through this..." I take a step back and cup her face in my hands, "...together, I promise."

Lisa nods in response.

I swat her gently on the bottom as I say, "Now go join your sisters so I can discuss your punishment."

I steady my resolve, knowing the touchy feely part of this conversation is over. It's time to lay down the law.

"Last night, all of you not only broke your curfew and the law but you put yourselves in harm's way. I cannot overlook that. I want to make it very clear to each of you that any behavior that compromises your health, safety, or welfare will not go unpunished and vaping certainly falls under that category. Are we clear on that point, girls?"

After getting four affirmative nods, I continue, "Stacey, bring me the vape pens, mods, cartridges and any other smoking related paraphernalia the four of you have." Stacey quickly gets up, knowing this would not be a good time to resist. "Make sure you bring me everything because if I find anything later on, the four of you won't see your phones for three months."

Stacey returns with the clandestine goods.

"Is this everything?" I ask. I look to her other three cohorts in crime for confirmation and they verify that's all of it. "The four of you are grounded. Lisa, for three weeks..."

"THREE WEEKS..." Lisa interjects, in disbelief.

I reach down to slowly and deliberately unbuckle my belt while giving Lisa a very cold unforgiving look.

She quickly relents, "... is a very fair and reasonable amount of time, sir."

I give Lisa a disapproving glare before buckling my belt.

"Stacey, you're grounded for two weeks, Carrie and Julie, one week.

Next, I lay out the terms of their grounding.

"No phones, tv, computers, laptops, tablets, mp3 players, or internet access. You will not leave the Center unless you're going to school or church. No friends will be allowed over. You will be in bed by 8:30pm each night and lights out will be at 9pm. Lisa, every night you will write I will not vape or smoke ever again one hundred times. Stacey, you will write it fifty times each night and, Julie and Carrie, twenty-five times. Any questions?"

They each shake their heads no.

"Your punishment starts tonight. Go to your room and start writing, girls."