1980, Betty, who sat beside me in class, chose to confide in me.

It was initiation night for little sisters A-Z at the Alpha House.

She seemed nervous about how she would feel in class tomorrow Night.

I had to wonder if her butt had really been paddled last night.

You know like you heard happened in sorority’s right off campus.

Besides, I had seen the painted rectangular wooden paddles.

They hung in a row up the staircase with the Alpha Greek symbol.

I had seen them when I went to pick up my date in the foyer.

She was a sister at the sorority, but I didn’t dare ask about the paddles.

What happened at their sorority initiation was considered secret.

However, just seeing the paddles got my imagination running overtime!

If, so was it still red under those blue jeans she had worn to class.

Betty sat down gingerly and I could’ve sworn I saw her wince in pain.

That added to my curiosity. Why was the Alpha sister sitting funny?

Was her paddled behind still red or was it purple with bruises?

Class was dismissed and I noticed Betty walking stiffly in the hall.

My lava boiled as I hurried to my dorm, pants down just before I came.