The Silent Ones

Chapter One: Favor

Esme Carter

I would do anything for my mom and maybe that's a bit insane for some but I would.

That's why when she asked me to speak to her boss because she asked about me, I agreed. I know how hard it is for my mom and her boss to get along, Mrs.Sinn isn't the sweetest woman in town but she isn't that rude to people who aren't her employees. She;'s honestly terrifying and could probably ban you from town.

I agreed to this last night after coming home late from babysitting.

I babysat two kids yesterday. One earlier in the day from four to seven and then another from eight to midnight for parents night out. I'm starting to think I shouldn't have agreed, especially now because I had to get up at six to work my shift at the coffee shop.

"Esme, I want you at the cashier station." He Mindy tells me. I nod quietly and go toward the front.

I hate working up front.

I much prefer making drinks because then I don't have to talk to anyone. I reluctantly walk up to the front and find a line of customers. I hate this job when I have to talk to people and I know you shouldn't get into customer service if you don't like people but the job pays fifteen dollars an hour.

"How can I help you?" I ask, quietly. "Are you going to speak up?" The woman asks me. "What can I get you?" I ask, louder than before. "Just a caramel latte." The woman rolls her eyes and I total her up and turn the total display to her and she gives me a five dollar bill and I take it, as she fishes out thirty cents. The women put the cents on the counter and I take up the cents with a small smile. I give the woman her receipt and she moves aside. The order comes up on the side to fulfill and I move on to the next person.

Most people who come here already know I don't talk much so they just tell me their order and names. I'm happy it moves along and I don't have to wait or be forced to talk.

"I'm so happy I caught you here." The next person says, causing me to look up. Mrs.Sinn stands in front of me in her well put together work outfit and her Chanel bag dangling on her arm. "Mrs.Sinn, I thought I was seeing you at noon." I say.

At noon, at a small restaurant on digits street.

"Yes, well I'm here now. Can I get you to the side for a moment?" She asks and I nod. I look over to Hera, my co-worker and she takes over the front for me.

I'm going to owe her.

I follow Mrs.Sinn to the side and we sit at a small table by the door. "I want to ask for a favor." Mrs.Sinn says. I nod and she continues, "You may know I have some children and I hear you're the best babysitter in town and I want you to babysit my kids." Her proposal isn't terrible but she doesn't have young kids. I normally babysit ages from babies to fourteen and her kids are older.

They are the same age as me. Those aren't children.

"How old are the children?" I ask, which is a normal question I ask each time so I know what entertainment to bring. I don't know why I asked when I know the answer.

"You will occasionally babysit a younger girl about seven, who is my niece and the others are older." She answers. "How many days a week?" I normally try to go on weekends or Wednesdays. They are my least busy times but I can arrange my schedule.

"I don't have sit timings but it will be almost everyday except Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays. I'm off Monday. On Saturday they normally have their own things to do but some Saturday nights may be needed and Sunday is family day." She answers.

I don't mind these days. It sounds like mostly day work and I can work weekends with others. "I'm willing to pay you $500 for every week you babysit. Extra days are $75." My eyes slightly widen at the amount she wants to pay me. "Can I think about it?" I ask. "I'll give you till noon tomorrow. " Mrs.Sinn stands from the chair across from me and walks out of the cafe.

I close the door behind me quietly just in case my mother is asleep. I wouldn't want to wake her up. I walk farther into the house and find my mom not asleep but sitting on the sofa leaning over to the coffee table with some papers.

"Hey mamma, what are you doing?" I ask her, trying to speak loud enough for her to hear me. "Just going through some bills." She sighs, before swiping her hair from her face. My mothers naturally curly hair has always fit her face and even though we have the same hair color I have always felt like my brown hair doesn't fit me.

"I talked to Mrs.Sinn." I tell her, walking into the living room. "What did she ask?" Mamma looks up at me. "She wants me to babysit for her." I sit on the sofa and look over the table.

There are so many bills on the table. The light bill is late, it seems and mom has an expensive credit card bill. Plus the medical bills for Melaine are never going away even with dad helping. This month I paid the wifi bill, the things we needed in the house, and I paid my car insurance. I spent two whole checks on it and sadly none went into savings.

"Are you going to?" Mamma asks. I know I should but I already have so many jobs myself but we still need help with getting everything done since my parents divorced. It was a clean cue divorce but my mother has a simple office job which isn't enough to support anything and my father doesn't have a big fancy job either.

Dad does occasionally send me money and he did take the liberty of paying any money for college that my financial aid and scholarships don't cover. "I know Mrs.Sinn needs this and the money would definitely be good. I don't want to stress you out with anything." Mamma continues. Looking at her stressed face, I know I need to take this job. "I'm going to do it." I tell her and pull out my phone. I pull up Mrs.Sinn's number that I already had because she's my mother's boss just in case an emergency happens and I text her that I want the job.

How do we feel about the first chapter?