Linda's Story

Wendy's Adventures In Babysitting

"Mom!" Fourteen year old Wendy's annoyed voice sounded from the living room. "Why do I have to watch her?!"

"Because your father's out of town, and Jimmy's at his friend's birthday party. I have to go to my sister's," Marni replied, checking if everything was in her purse.

"Mom!"

Linda cringed from her spot in the kitchen. She was hiding next to the counter, on the floor, listening to their yelling. She had been excited when Marni told her Wendy would be watching her. She was hoping her sister would play with her, or braid her hair, or paint her nails.

"Why do I always have to watch her?"

"Winifred Mabel O'Shea, I will not argue with you! You're going to watch your sister. I don't care if it's a Friday night, understand?"

"But Mom!"

"You'll watch your sister, or no new dress."

Wendy had been begging and begging her mother for the latest cutest dress. She had finally gotten her mother to give in, and now she was going to have it all taken away.

Linda didn't hear Wendy's answer as she sadly walked to the stairs. Her sister didn't like her; her sister didn't want to be with her anymore.

*********

Linda and Wendy were sitting at the kitchen table, eating dinner. At fourteen, Wendy didn't really know how to cook, so they were eating a frozen pizza. Linda was fine with that- like any seven year old, her mood was instantly lifted when the pizza come out of the oven.

She was finishing her second slice, ready to eat the bones which she always saved for last, when the phone rang. Wendy answered it, Linda only hearing her sister's side of the conversation.

"Dwane!" Wendy had a smile in her voice. "I would love to! Oh, wait. No... no, I can't... I'm busy babysitting my dweeby little sister."

Linda frowned- she wasn't a dweeb! She continued eating and listening.

"Well, I don't know... well... okay, but only for an hour.... okay, bye."

The seven year old looked to her sister, "who was that?"

"Dwane."

"Oh... your boyfriend."

"He's coming over."

"But Mama said-"

"I know what she said, it won't matter."

"But Wendy, you're supposed to be watching me. Mama said-"

"I know what she said!" Wendy almost yelled. "I know! And if you know what's good for you, you won't tell a soul."

She frowned, only taking a bite of her pizza crust, thinking about how much trouble both of them would be in if Mama- or worse Papa- ever found out.

**********

"Listen, when Dwane comes, I don't want you here. Stay in your room. Don't come anywhere near the family room." Wendy had an almost threatening tone to her voice.

"But the tv's in there," Linda argued. There wasn't much to watch at night for a seven year old, but she didn't really know that.

"Linda, I'm warning you. Now go upstairs and stay there."

Her lip quivered, but despite the tears wanting to fall, she stood her ground. "Wendy, Mama said that you had to watch me. You're not watching me if I'm up there and you're down here."

"Linda Rose!" Wendy grabbed her sister's arm and practically yanked her up the stairs, the seven year old protesting and fighting all the way there. The babysitter slammed her sister's door shut. "You stay in there, Linda!"