Landsgolden

Landsgolden

Jenny followed the girls to tuck them in. Her first time babysitting. But she had to make some money or she’d get kicked out of her boarding house.

Their mother had pre-made supper, so it was just reheating. The girls love it, so Mom had obviously picked something perfect for a new sitter.

Mom had also made a list of do’s and don’ts. It included bedtime, and some suggestions of things they might do. Plus a couple things they were not allowed to do, like watch TV, or use the phone.

As they walked into the bedroom Jenny knew she was supposed to read to them so she asked, “What is your favorite book?”

The two girls looked at each other quickly, yet not saying anything out loud. Then they turned back to Jenny and said, at the same time, “Landsgolden.” Jenny never heard of that book, but there it was, on the shelf.

It was a slim book, with lots of pictures, so Jenny decided it was perfect. Their favorite, and short! She settled them down and began to read.

Their parents were not surprised not finding Jenny in the living room when they got home. Hoping it was just a ‘can’t get the girls to sleep’ situation, they went down to check their room.

The girls were both asleep. Jenny was nowhere to be found. They tried to call her, but the phone number they had for her didn’t work anymore.

“This is getting old...” said mother.

“Well it’s this, or we never go out again...” Dad added.

From their room, the sleeping girls both smiled.

Jenny spent a long time learning to speak before she even found out she used to be a human. She wasn’t sure why, but somehow, she seemed to feel happier.