With us, it was the other way around

I heard stories about boys or girls who wanted to run away from home, but with us it was the other way around. It was a privilege to live at home--not a right--and we feared being told we'd have to leave, which was what would happen if we didn't abide by the rules.

One time, I'd angered Mommy who told me I'd have to leave. She actually went to the closet and pulled out an old suitcase, telling me to get packed. I was scared stiff. I wrote a letter of apology and slipped it into her room, saying I'd even give up a week of television if she'd let me stay at home. After we'd had a good talk and the situation was ironed out, Mommy took the suitcase back. I learned then it was full of old blankets which she hadn't bothered to unpack; she hadn't really intended on sending me away. But I already mentioned her natural acting ability...how was I to know she was bluffing?

I'd also heard of children not wanting to go to school, but we dreaded NOT going. Usually, being absent from school meant we'd been held back for a "family conference" in the morning, and we'd be sent from noon with a note of explanation. Answering friends' questions as to our tardiness was embarrassing. It wasn't fun to explain how our dad felt it necessary to inform us on how we were killing our mother, etc,.... And since we were generally healthy, staying at home usually meant we'd have to help with housework; schoolwork was far more appealing!