Many years ago I had an envelope to deliver to an apartment, A newish building. Not really low rent, but not top line.

Likely 8 units a floor. The one I wanted was at the far end of the hall. As I knocked I could hear an angry mother. The door was opened by a girl, I'm guessing 16 and could see, at the far side of the living room the mother louder than ever now the door was open lecturing an even older girl who must have been 20. I could see her and what I guessed was a 40 some mother quite clearly.

I looked at the girl who answered the door and she looked at me and whispered, "my sister is in big trouble." I nodded and said, "Would you give this to your mom?" I suspect the mother hadn't heard my knock or was aware the door had been answered.

At that point I heard the mother say, "Well young lady, you've got a choice. A spanking right now, or you're grounded for the month. Which is it to be?" Silence. "Do you want to be spanked, or grounded?" Then, "Alright, go to the bedroom and get those jeans down. I'll be right in with the brush."

"Oh," the older girl wailed, "no please, no brush."

"Get going and get your bottom bare. You hear me!"

I said to the younger girl, "I'd best go." She shut the door. I stood there wondering what would happen and what I might hear. In a minute or two what I heard was a spanking and a good one too. The brush smacked, even in the hall clear as a rifle shot, and the 20-year-old cried out in pain and shock. Time after time the mother kept spanking and I could hear the daughter crying and begging for it to stop.

Eventually it did and I heard the elevator at the far end of the hall. Thinking someone might be coming I headed towards it. I didn't get a cash tip, but I've no complaints.

As they lived in an apartment next to a big hospital. I wondered if she worked there. Also, as her face was burned into my brain I wondered if I'd ever meet up with her again, and I did.