Family: Out of Business

Realized

Claire's pov

Since I didn't respond to my uncle's request to confirm my comprehension of his punishment for what he called an "unacceptable attitude" this afternoon, he apparently felt the need to repeat, rephrase, and reiterate it.

"I expect you to have the dishes done and the kitchen floors and counters cleaned before your bedtime. Sono chiaro (Am I clear)?"

Yeah, clearly a jackass, I thought to myself, which unfortunately, caused me to smirk.

Roughly grabbing my upper arm, my uncle slapped my bottom firmly.

"Answer me, Francesca," he growled lowly, in that fierce tone that makes my skin crawl.

"Si, Zio, sei chiaro (Yes, Uncle, you are clear)," I replied dutifully, while still thinking my original insulting thoughts.

"You better have your chores done on time. You really don't want to test me on this tonight, bambina (baby girl)," he warned, glaring at me with that stone cold look that instinctually causes my hands to gravitate protectively over my bottom.

Accepting my nod in agreement, my pain in the butt uncle left me in peace finally as he went into his bathroom to go take a shower. As I started unloading the dishwasher, I couldn't help but notice he forgot to take his phone with him as I saw it sitting on the island in the kitchen. Knowing I really shouldn't, but unable to stop myself, I picked it up and hurriedly began dialing my grandfather's number. I figured I was in the clear since I could still hear the water running. Before I could type in the last two digits, however, my furious, clad-only-in-a-towel uncle snatched his phone right out of my hands.

"Consider yourself blessed you didn't complete that call and I don't have a belt on right now, or your ass would already be black and blue."

I stood motionless with my mouth agape hearing the brute anger permeating his ultra-transparent, not-in-the-slightest-bit-subtle threat. Seeing his eye twitch as the vein in his neck throbbed, I gulped, thinking please don't let him spank me over his knee clad only in a flimsy towel. That would be hella embarrassing for both of us. I think I'd officially be scarred for life.

Nervously, I tried to stammer a reply.

"I was, uh, just, um..." I swallowed hard seeing the stony look etched on his face. "It's not what it looks like. I was, um, just moving it so it wouldn't get wet while I was doing the dishes, Uncle EJ. I must have accidentally dialed some numbers when I picked it up." God that was stupid. Why the Hell did I just lie to my livid, practically naked uncle? I'm such a moron sometimes.

"You honestly want me to believe you accidentally dialed all but the last two digits of your grandfather's number as you picked up my phone to keep it from getting wet, even though it was sitting on a counter seven feet away from any water source, while you were unloading a dishwasher full of dry dishes?"

How my uncle spoke so seriously in relation to my absolutely absurd excuse was beyond me. I have to give him credit for keeping a straight face. I don't have a chance of getting out of this unscathed so maybe I should try to distract him from his anger by being as ludicrous as humanly possible.

"I wouldn't believe it myself, Uncle EJ, if I wasn't the one standin' here when it happened."

His nostrils flared as he narrowed his eyes at me. I closely watched his chiseled chest expand and contract with each angry breath he took as he stood silently seething. After setting the phone down, he held one hand over his mouth as the other one thankfully tightly gripped his towel, keeping it closed at the waist.

I gulped in anticipation of the punishment my uncle was about to dole out. After a nerve wracking eternity lasting thirty seconds, he finally spoke.

"For lying to me, you're grounded from swimming for one week. For touching my phone, I ought to spank the shit out of you but first I'm going to shower. Finish your chores, Francesca," he ordered coldly, before picking up his phone and walking back to his bathroom.