Chapter #5Scenario 5. The babysitter swap by: Kirafair   In this slightly different reality, Chris Jackson is 17 and recently graduated from High School. Chris had done well enough academically that he was already accepted into a good college. He was looking forward to the Fall to begin the next stage of his life. Until then, Chris thought this Summer would be his last chance to sit back and relax a little.
Thus, he hadn’t really tried to find a job. It was only after some constant nagging from his mother Cynthia that he took a part-time job delivering pizza. She considered that a win. Cynthia had been experiencing a rough time getting her son to do anything. He’d even been putting off getting his hair cut so far.
One Saturday morning, Chris was laying about watching some television while his mother did some cleaning. He made no effort to answer the telephone when it started ringing.
*****
Cynthia observed the caller ID was an old school friend, one Meredith Brooks. Her friend was a single mother living with a 12 year old daughter named Emma. It had been difficult for several years now to align their schedules to meet up more frequently. Still, they managed to maintain their friendship via Facebook and an occasional day out.
Cynthia answered the phone cheerfully “Meredith, how are you?”
Her friend made no effort at small talk to begin the conversation. That wasn’t unusual, Meredith was a rising star at the corporation she worked for. She was confident, aggressive and hard working. Cynthia recalled a recent post from her friend announcing a promotion to Senior Vice-President of Marketing.
“Oh Cynthia, I’m in a terrible bind. I have a week long business meeting to attend on Monday and the sitter I lined up just canceled on me. Poor girl came down with mononucleosis. Now I need to find someone to babysit Emma on short notice. Do you know of anyone who can stay at my house all week and watch Emma?”
Cynthia was racking her brain for a solution when she noticed Chris stirring on the couch. A thought suddenly occurred to her. “I might have a suggestion”
*****
The next day, Chris reluctantly grabbed a duffle bag out of the back of his Mom’s car. She had guilted him into agreeing to sit for a 12 year old girl. Evidently, Mrs Brooks was desperate to have someone she knew watch Emma and he took some solace that he was helping his Mom’s friend out. Chris thought this whole thing was kind of weird but the job promised decent money for very little work. Once the week was over, he could get back to enjoying his well earned break before college began.
Chris surveyed the large house in front of him. His Mom had mentioned that Mrs Brooks was doing very well for herself but he never expected this. The house appeared very ornate and supposedly had a large pool out back. She must be very well paid.
Meredith gave a warm welcome to her friend and Chris. She immediately started showing him around. Chris was even more impressed with the interior of the house. The living room had a 72” wide screen television! Even the guest room he would be sleeping in was nicer than his own bedroom.
The only damper during the tour was the chilly greeting he got from Emma. She made no effort to hide her contempt that he would be in charge for the week. “I still don’t know why you keep insisting I require a sitter. Look at him, he’s barely taller than me” she said angrily before storming off to her bedroom.
While it was true Chris was on the shorter side for a boy at 5’5””, Emma appeared taller than he expected for a 12 year old. Her brown hair, which she wore in a chin length style, was slightly lighter in color than his own. She also spoke in a more sophisticated manner than he expected for someone about to enter 7th grade.
“Don’t worry, she’ll come around in time” Mrs Brooks advised Chris “She can be quite precocious. I probably dote on her to much”
Mrs Brooks spent the next hour giving Chris an extremely detailed list of instructions and contingencies. She even asked for his phone in order to set up her Uber account on it.
“Emma does have a couple activities later this week you need to escort her to. Grab an Uber whenever you need it. I’ve also got plenty of food here but feel free to use Uber Eats for delivery of anything you or Emma desire”
“Sweet” Chris said in appreciation.
*****
On Monday morning, Chris found Mrs. Brooks and her daughter already eating breakfast in the kitchen. Emma had not said one word to him after her initial outburst yesterday. She acted as if he didnt exist while looking at a tablet computer. Her mother was busy checking the contents of a large bag
“Good morning Chris, can I get you anything to eat before I leave for the airport?”
He figured he should exhibit some degree of independence “I can take care of it. You can take off”
Mrs Brooks nodded gratefully. She gave Emma a big kiss on the cheek and announced “I should be back Friday about dinner time. Have fun you two. Keep me updated on everything.” Within seconds, she was out the door leaving Chris to endure an uncomfortable silence.
*****
Emma rebuffed most of his attempts at conversation. By noon, Chris was already going stir crazy. Looking for something to do, he went to the backyard to check out the pool. It looked so modern and pristine. He loved swimming and was looking forward to trying it out
He returned to the living room to find Emma reading a book. “What do you got there?” he asked. Chris was grasping for anything he could talk with her about.
“Jane Austen” she replied curtly
“Whoa, kind of advanced reading for someone so young?” he asked hopefully making it sound like a compliment. Emma didn’t take it that way.
“Advanced for my classmates but not me. I’ve already demonstrated that I’m a prodigy far ahead of my peers. I’m sure I could be admitted into any college this very day” she said in a condescending tone
“That’s great” he replied sheepishly. Trying a different tack Chris added “Hey, would you like to go swimming today?”
“Not now. You can go ahead if you wish”
Chris hoped she might come around if he took the first step so he exchanged his shorts for some loose swim trunks. Chris helpfully held out her one piece bathing suit and a towel.
“I got your suit here if you change your mind.” Chris interpreted the nasty look she shot him as if he had done something wrong “It was in the laundry room. It’s not like I went into your room!” he protested
*****
Emma pretended to eye him suspiciously. Teasing him unmercifully could make this week somewhat tolerable.
‘He seemed worried that I thought he was a perv? I wonder how I might be able to use that?‘
She decided to follow him outside making the excuse that a little sun might be nice after all. Emma resumed reading her book while Chris jumped in and started swimming laps. Shortly thereafter, he got out to try the diving board. She sarcastically noted how thin and unthreatening he appeared
‘My great protector’ she thought rolling her eyes
Chris made a great show by jumping up and down on the board several time before arcing into the water. But as his body knifed downward deeply, resistance from the water cause his trunks to slip off. They remained floating on the surface.
Emma burst into laughter as Chris surfaced, only belatedly realizing that something was amiss. He tread water while vainly pushing away the hair obscuring his eyes. In a panic, he spun around trying to find his trunks.
With a sudden inspiration, Emma leapt of her lounge chair and grabbed a pole to fish out the floating trunks. Chris only stopped searching when he saw Emma holding them up triumphantly
“Umm, this is awkward. Can you throw me my trunks please” he asked meekly.
Emma tapped her chin thoughtfully. The genesis of an idea was forming in her mind.
“What if I don’t want to?”
Chris kept begging, each time growing more and more whiny. Finally out of patience, he started to climb out of the pool naked. Emma put a halt to that immediately by holding up her phone with the camera facing him.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’m sure your Mom and mine will be mortified to receive a photo of you exposing yourself to someone young and innocent like me” she warned
She watched with amusement as the blood drained from his face. “You wouldn’t” he croaked. The fear in his voice was evident
She tossed her Pink and White bathing suit to him. “Put this on” she ordered
Chris made no move to touch it “I umm, I uh, I can’t put that on” he stammered.
Emma smiled wickedly “If you’re worried it wont fit, don’t be”
She ignored Chris’ continued protests and returned to reading her book. After a few minutes, he gave up and reluctantly put on her bathing suit. With great embarrassment, he climbed out of the water taking great care to hide his groin area with both hands. Emma observed that he didn’t look half bad. There was definitely some potential here. The previous seed of her idea was growing rapidly as she considered several options.
“Oh you look adorable” she giggled. She then snapped a photo of him. Chris jumped at the audible click her phone made
“What are you doing?” he exclaimed.
Emma smiled smugly “Just a little something to ensure your compliance”
He eyed her nervously “Compliance?”
Emma smiled sweetly “You see, I never wanted you, or anyone for that matter as a babysitter. But I’m willing to accept you as a friend”
A mischievous grin spread across her face
“More specifically, a girlfriend”   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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