A Babysitter for My Son
She wore a little hat and carried a pug in her arms. But most strikingly, both the woman and the pug, as it seemed to James, smiled the same friendly smile when they saw him.
Caught off guard, James smiled back.
“And how old is our child?” the woman asked, skipping formalities.
“Pardon?” James responded, puzzled.
“You forgot to mention your son’s age during our phone call.”
“He’s three… almost four.”
“Great…” The woman set the pug down. “Gracie, go on, explore.”
Gracie waddled adorably on her tiny legs, taking her time inspecting the new apartment.
“Umm… Does Gracie, you know, bite?” James asked, concerned.
But from the child’s room came the sound of delighted squeals…
As agreed, James returned exactly at 9 PM.
Unlocking his flat, he was met by an unexpected silence. Tiptoeing to his son’s room, he was surprised to find a curious sight – Jack was fast asleep, with Gracie curled up at his feet.
“You’re back?” came a whisper from behind.
James turned around.
“As promised. Here…” He whispered too, offering the woman some notes. “Thank you… Though why is Jack asleep? He never dozes off before ten.”
“Well, he had lots of fun,” the woman said tiredly. “If you don’t mind…” She moved gently to the bed, picked up Gracie, and headed toward the hallway.
“Let me call you a cab,” suggested James. “My treat…”
“No need… Gracie and I haven’t had our bedtime walk yet.”
“You should!” James insisted. “The weather’s awful. Ride home and walk her there as much as you like.”
She conceded, gave him her address, and he rang the service. Upon hearing the fare, he added a tip for her.
“Thank you…” she nodded, as she moved to wait outside for the cab.
Once she left, James realized he had forgotten to introduce himself. He strolled into the bathroom, astonished to find a mountain of children’s clothes washed and hung by the babysitter.
“This wasn’t part of the deal!” he thought irritably. Entering the kitchen, his irritation grew. On the stove sat a pot with a note: “Breakfast for Jack!”
James suddenly remembered his sister’s comment about wanting to set him up and resolved not to invite this babysitter again.
The next morning began with Jack bouncing on his bed.
“Dad, when is Aunt Lucy coming back?” his son shouted cheerfully.
“Which Aunt Lucy?” James grumbled. “Jack, let me sleep.”
“Aunt Lucy… the babysitter from yesterday.”
Sleep evaporated instantly.
“She’s not coming back!” he said firmly. “Ever.”
“Dad…” Tears welled up in Jack’s eyes, and James felt a pang of fear. “And Gracie? Is she not coming back either?”
“No…” James responded softly, then quickly added, hugging his son, “How about I get you a little puppy today?”
Oddly, Jack slipped from his embrace and retreated to his room.
Breakfast was silent. Jack stared into space, disheartened.
“Hey, Jack, what’s so special about Gracie?” James spoke kindly. “We’ve managed without her, and we will again. Who’s closer to you, me or a dog?”
“You are,” Jack answered with a distant voice and walked back to his room.
James lost his appetite. Quietly, he approached the closed bedroom door and listened. Soft sobbing drifted out.
Back in the kitchen, James contemplated, grabbed his phone, and dialed the babysitter.
There was a long silence before a voice finally answered:
“Hello…”
“I’m Jack’s dad, you know, from yesterday,” James began, only to be interrupted by a slurred male voice:
“Who are you talking to?!” And James heard a string of crass words.
“Is everything alright?” he asked worriedly. “Who’s there with you?”
“Nothing…,” she replied, anxious. “Just… my ex-husband showed up, causing trouble… Sorry… I’ll call you back…”
“I’ll call you!” the drunken voice bellowed again.
Then there was a frantic barking from the pug, a woman’s cry, and Gracie’s long wailing whimper.
The call ended abruptly. James’s heart raced with anxiety. Something troubling was undoubtedly happening at the “woman with the dog’s” house.
He recalled the address from which he’d ordered a cab yesterday. While he didn’t remember the apartment number, he knew he had to act fast…
Shouting to his son, “I’ll be back soon,” James dashed out. Minutes later, he started his car and within fifteen minutes, arrived at the address.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” he urgently addressed an elderly woman nearby. “Do you happen to know where the lady with the little hat and the dog lives in your building?”
In no time, James was on the fifth floor, outside a door behind which he could still hear the drunken male’s ranting.
He pressed the doorbell, holding it until the door swung open to reveal a scruffy-looking man who quickly slumped to the ground after James’s firm punch.
Containing his anger, James patiently waited as the man, wiping blood off his face, clambered up from the floor.
“If you ever come here again, I’ll throw you out the window. Now, get lost,” James ordered, gesturing toward the door. “And don’t even think of trying anything…”
The ex-husband vanished. James entered the dimly lit room. The babysitter sat crying quietly in a chair, holding her pug.
James felt a twinge of compassion.
“Are you okay?” he asked her. Meeting her blank look, he clarified, “Is Gracie okay? I heard her yelp…”
“She’s fine,” the babysitter nodded, wearied. Then she whispered, “I hate him so much…”
“He won’t be back. I promise you.”
“Oh, he’ll come back…” she said resignedly. “You don’t know him…”
“And you don’t know me!” He smiled, took Gracie from her, stroking the trembling pug. “She’s lovely… No wonder Jack adores her… Let’s go, Lucy…”
“Where?” she didn’t understand.
“To Jack, where else… He’s waiting for you and Gracie. A lot.”
“Are you joking?” She scrutinized him closely.
“No… No joke…” James replied, meeting her gaze. He couldn’t entirely grasp what was happening, but he knew one thing for sure—this felt right.
“You can’t stay here anymore. Besides, Jack won’t eat the breakfast you made without you…”
Holding Gracie, James turned and walked to the door.
“Catch up, Lucy. By the way, I’m James. I’ll wait for you by the car.”
“Okay…” she nodded without rising. “I’ll just gather my thoughts… and follow…”
