Free Molly's Cop by Joannie Kay Page A

mother!"
    "Don't worry, Mary. She knew nothing of me or my circumstances and she feared for you all and for Michael. Michael told her everything, and I wish Lloyd wasn't upset with her. I feel terrible about that."
    "Don't you waste one second feeling guilty," Jenny advised. "Lloyd has been dealing with Kathleen's temper for years now. He knows when to let something slide and when to deal with it more forcefully. Kathleen is a nice girl, truly."
    "She's a hothead, like I used to be," Mary stated calmly. "Dear, none of this is your fault. We are all used to Kathleen's temper and its sting. Lloyd will take a hairbrush to her bottom and she'll be fine the next time you see her."
    It was evening before everyone left. The food had been reheated and served on paper plates the second time around. Michael made sure he spent time with every last person, but Molly could see he was relieved when the last of the guests finally walked out the door. "Thanks for the dinner, Ma and Pop. It was real nice."
    "Everyone is proud of you, Michael," Mary said with one of her smiles as she stood on tiptoe and pulled him down for a kiss and a hug.
    "Pop, Ma, I would like to have a private word with the two of you," Daniel interrupted the conversation to say.
    "Molly and I are going out for a while, but I'll have her back before too late," Michael said, taking her hand in his. "Do you need your purse or a jacket? It's cool tonight," he added.
    "I'll get my things," she said, wondering where Michael wanted to take her, and noticing that the others who lived at home were either going out or up to their rooms. She knew it was to give Daniel the privacy he requested.
    She and Michael walked out of the house and he opened the car door for her before walking around to get in behind the steering wheel. "Where are we going?" she asked curiously.
    "To meet your Gramma," he answered.

    * * *

    "I cannot see why we had to leave my parents' house so early today, Lloyd. You knew the children would be up all afternoon and evening! You were just being mean to me!" Kathleen heatedly accused. Her anger with her husband had been building since he insisted they leave Michael's dinner. The children were very unhappy, too, since they were having a lot of fun with their cousins.
    "I removed you from your family because you upset them, Kathleen. You were rude to Molly, and you embarrassed Michael on his special day. How do you think he feels about you right now? How do you think Molly feels about you? You and Michael have always been very close. Of all your siblings, he is the one you favor most, and don't you dare deny it. I've watched you for years. You favor Michael and Bridget. You love the others, too, but those two are your kindred spirits. How are you going to handle it if you alienate Molly and she ends up married to Michael? What if she puts her foot down and refuses to have you in her home? What will you do if she denies you Michael's company?"
    "She damn well wouldn't dare do that!" Kathleen was enraged at the very idea.
    "Michael told you he recognized her. Doesn't that tell you something?" He wanted Kat to think. "You take yourself over to the corner and stand there and think how you would feel if the situation were reversed... and one of your siblings attacked me the way you attacked Molly today."
    "You know I hate standing in the corner, Lloyd!" she wailed. "You know how it makes me feel! I don't want to do that!"
    "Do it right now, and because of your tantrum and whining, you can push down your sleep pants and pull up your t-shirt so your bare butt is showing."
    "Lloyd! Noooo!" He grabbed her arm, turned her around, and gave her several hard spanks over the flannel sleep pants. He then marched her to the corner, and spanked her several more times.
    "Push down the pants, Kat!" She complied, sniffling. He reached out and pushed them a bit lower and then pushed up her cotton t-shirt. "You are going to stand her twice as long as I planned, young lady. It seems I