My lovely Daisy

Chapter 8

I knocked on the door of the same familiar house. I said I'd never enjoy babysitting as kids are... well... kids. They're a handful that's for sure. But I find myself on the front porch of the Belson family once again. Maddie must've put in a good word to bring me back.

Little Madds opened the door and, as soon as she saw me, she threw her chubby arms around my neck and squeezed tight.

"Clearly, you had a good time with me if you asked your mama to hire me again," I said.

"You're the best babysitter ever! I'm hoping you'll come back again and again and again...," she said, skipping off to the living room. "Oooh, can I show you my new ballet moves?" she asked with her puppy eyes. "Oooh or even better, can we go to the Academy to watch Swan Lake? Yes, yes, we better do that."

I shook my head, chuckling. I could never understand how she'd have so much energy and then run out of it instantly. Like her batteries only last a few seconds then boom! back to sleepyhead Maddie.

"Kiddo, I think we need tickets for such a thing. Plus, your mom won't let me babysit you again if I take you out without her knowing."

I had to do what was best and safest for her. Oh, but when she started making that rained-doggo-teary-eyed-pouty face I lost my self-control. "Yeah, okay, fine, fine, fine, fine. We can go. But don't tell Helen, all right?"

"Promise, pinkie swear!" she squealed, locking pinkies with me.

Doomed be my babysitting career. I just can't help it, even if I don't want to admit it, I have a soft spot for kids. They're just so... fluffy and cute and tiny and... manipulative. Dammit! I got tricked again by those eyes!

After helping her get dressed, tying her shoelaces, and rethinking my life choices, we got going. Maddie was over the moon about this. She dragged me through the neighborhood all the way to the Dance Academy and ran for the entrance tunnel in a happy skip. I smiled, waiting for her to wait for me.

The music started, then the people came out. Maddie clapped her hands and her face lit up. The intro ended and the dance started. Maddie was on the edge of her seat, riveted by the performance. She swayed from side to side with the music and tapped her feet. I was no less excited as if I was seeing the ballet for the first time. I was as giddy as a schoolgirl, even waving my hands in the air. I have never enjoyed ballet this much. I guess it's the company. I just want to see Maddie smile and enjoy herself.

There were two parts of the performance I always looked forward to the most. The first was the Waltz of the Flowers and the second was the Black Swan Solo. The Waltz of the Flowers was like a music box that talks. Tiny dancers danced around the stage in a chorus line, with swirls and twirls of color. As the music picked up, the dancers began to run faster and faster until they returned to the stage, where the music box was opened and it began to play the Waltz of the Flowers once more. Maddie was overjoyed at this. She was on her feet, clapping her hands. The second I was waiting for was the Black Swan Solo. It was a solo piece, which was performed by a very young girl, who was about Maddie's age. I was right, my tiny accompanier was just as wowed by it all as I was. She watched with her mouth agape and eyes wide, taking it all in.

The performance ended with a stiff bow and the audience gave a standing ovation.

Maddie jumped out of her seat and clapped. She was just as overjoyed as I was.

"I want to be like her someday," she said.

"Really? You want to be a ballet dancer?" I asked.

"Uh-huh. I want to perform on stage in front of everyone. I want people to chant my name and everyone to know who I am," she said, grabbing her feet and flapping her arms.