The Sitter's Sister

Chapter 4

"Alright children, I've tried my best to make this dinner yummy so I hope you enjoy it." Jesy's mother sat at the head of the table that evening.

When she had come home she had met everyone she had left home watching a movie on the couch. That had been . . . unexpected. Usually Joe would find something random to occupy himself with while Jesy would either be in her room or off loitering about with her friends. It was pretty startling to know that Joe was home alone at times but that had not happened often. So far only a week of summer had gone by so Jesy had not had enough time to mess up too much.

But to see her kids watching a movie calmly . . . that was new. Sairah had reported that both Jesy and Joe had eaten their breakfast and lunch, also surprising to Ms. White. She had wanted to ask how Sairah was able to do that but the young lady had been in a hurry to leave with her younger sister.

Jesy stopped typing into her phone to stare at the lasagne her mom had made. "Honestly Mum I've had so much to eat today that I don't think I can have this. Like, no." She pushed the plate away.

"Ah come on now Jes. I'm sure that there's plenty of room in your tum-tum for a teeny piece of lasagne. Look, Joe's eating." The mother pointed at the boy who was eating away.

Jesy cringed at the kid and kept looking at her phone.

Ms. White would deal with her later. "So, it seems as if you two had a good day. How was the sitter and her sister?"

"She was splendid. She told me that she'd never played Super Smash bros before and yet she was an incredible opponent. She yells a lot but I like her." Joe said before continuing to eat. He kicked his legs and moved his head from side to side.

Ms. White was happy to hear that. "Well that is certainly nice- wait she yells a lot?"

Joe nodded.

"Ugh. Don't get me started." Jesy rolled her eyes.

"It's not bad yelling. She has to yell to get Jes in order. Jade came in earlier and she-" Joe was saying.

"Hey shut up!" Jesy had told him not to mention that.

Ms. White gasped. "Jade came in???" At least she knew why Sairah had been yelling. It seemed justified. "Jesy what did I say to do when Jade trespassed? Tell her to leave! She's no good for you!"

"Mum I . . . I know but she's got something over me. I think it's 'cause she's really good in bed." Jesy confessed in a whiny voice.

"Oh for God's sake." The mother massaged her forehead. "When are you going to realize that the sort of characters you spend time with can have a serious effect on the person you become? Jesy these bad children are messing you up more than you are!"

Jesy seemed hurt by this. "Stop calling me 'messed up'. Yeah I know I'm broken but when you say it like that it . . . it makes me feel as if there's no hope and that you're just dismissing me." She had started off strong but her voice grew quieter by the end.

Ms. White sighed. "I know . . . sorry about that. It's just . . . I'm worried about you."

Jesy folded her arms and looked at her plate.

The mother twisted her mouth. Was it her fault that Jesy seemed to be straying? Ever since things started changing it seemed as if Jesy was unable to cope. "Don't you think you deserve a nice, sweet friend who'd listen to your needs and be there for you? Someone you actually have things in common with apart from thousands of followers on Instagram?"

"Ugh." Jesy sounded disgusted. "I don't befriend losers."

"Sairah's little sister seemed nice. And she's really pretty. Maybe she can be your girlfriend instead Jesy." Joe was finished with his food.