Reagan Siblings 2.0

Be Nice To The Babysitter

"But Mom!" Jamie made the word into two syllables. "I'm seven! I don't need a babysitter!"

His older siblings understood the pain of being watched by a surly teenager who was more interested in talking to their friend on the phone than actually watching them.

"It won't be for very long," Mary assured him, leaving no room for arguments at the breakfast table. She was just glad Frank was called into work early- he and her youngest had been butting heads recently. She didn't need Jamie going to school grumpy.

"Exactly!"

"Better grin and bear it, kid," Danny put his cereal bowl in the sink. "We all did. And maybe you'll get lucky and get someone super h-" he stopped himself from saying 'hot', knowing his mother wouldn't approve. "Nice. Someone super nice."

"Why do I need a babysitter again?"

"Because Dad is working, and there's a church meeting for only older kids," Erin supplied, her voice laced with annoyance. How many times had he been told this?

"It won't be very long, sweetie, and we'll bring food back." Mary bribed Jamie, hoping he wouldn't give the babysitter any grief.

***********

Danny frowned at Jamie after school that day as he sulked about in his room. "Come on, Jamie. Mom always gets the best babysitters."

"But I'm too old!"

"Jamie, when you're seven and stuck with a teenaged babysitter, you won't really be getting babysat."

His brother talked with such calmness and authority. "Huh?"

"Boy or girl, they'll be more interested in talking to their love interest."

"You speak from experience?"

"You really think that me, Erin, and Joey didn't have to go through the bad babysitter blues? We may all be close in age, but that doesn't mean we didn't get our fair share of bad babysitters."

"I guess."

Danny was going to say more, was going to get the real answer out of his kid brother even if it took all night long, when their mother called them.

"Come on, boys! She'll be here soon, and we don't want to be late!"

They both walked downstairs, each of them zoning out when Mary repeated the rules for how to act towards the babysitter.

"What even is her name?" Jamie asked annoyed.

"It's been such a busy day, I can't quite remember. I think it may be Lena," Mary put a hand on her forehead. "But you won't use that tone with her, young man. You shouldn't even use it on me."

"Yes ma'am."

The doorbell rang, and Danny turned to answer it.

**********

She hadn't been to the house of the Commissioner's son, and looking at the massive brick building made her more nervous than she should be. She clung to her bag tightly as she waited for someone to answer the doorbell. In her mind, she went over what Mrs. Reagan had told her: the kid's name was Jamie, he needed all his homework done, and he could have a snack of apples and cheese sticks so he wouldn't ruin his dinner.

The door started to open, and she straightened up, trying to look professional despite being sixteen years old.

"Linda, hi!" Danny smiled widely at the blonde. They were close friends, and had one or two classes together. If he had known Linda was babysitting, he could've told Jamie he had absolutely nothing to worry about.