Wishy Washy, at Best

Chapter Four: The Almighty Sitter of Babies

We walked the short distance to our dingy apartment, hand in hand. The simple feel of their hands in mine brought relief to my mind, but I still couldn't relax.

My eyes darted around our surroundings, taking in everything I could. I examined the buildings, the way the dull paint chipped, the way they sat to close, I took in everything.
I walked briskly in the heat.

Even if you think you see everything, you have to know, you see nothing. You only see what they want you to. His voice came back to me after all these years. I shivered. That story in particular gave me nightmares for weeks.

"Sammy?" Sally pulled on my arm, a worried expression on her young face.

Being shaked out of my thoughts, I gave her the best smile I could manage. "What do you need, midget?"

"Your phone is going buzz, buzz." She imitated my phone.

I chuckled. Letting go of Billy's hand I reached for my phone.

"Dr. Williams, how are you?" I greeted warmly. The old man was my mentor.

"Dr. Williams wanted me to call you." The beautiful rumble came through the line. I glared at the ground. Stupid pretty voiced freak.

"He didn't want to call me?" I couldn't keep all the hurt out of my voice. He was more than just my mentor, he was a father to me.

"No! No. That's not it." He sounded surprised by my train of thought. Trying to backpedal he kept talking. "He just wanted me to set up an appointment. He is a very busy man. It's not that he doesn't want to call himself, it's more of a time management problem..." He trailed off.

I smirked. Look at the big bad wolf get all flustered over the phone.

"Oh. Well when would the appointment be?" I asked simply let my new found resolve guide my part of the conversation.

The dark voiced stranger let out a sigh. "Today at 4." Today at four? That's a very short notice, and it sounds like there is no other time. I frowned. "If that works for you." His rushed words made me want to laugh.

I looked down at the kids smiling. Our walking slowed when I answered the phone.

Kay only has a massage tomorrow. She would love to see the kids, and they want to see her. She'd figure out what was up with the story this morning. It's only be for an hour at most. She would babysit.

"Sure. I think four would work perfectly. Does Dr. Williams want to meet at the lab?"

"Yes. He said you already know where it is, and he wants to show you what he is working on."

Okay. So maybe it'd be two hours. Still I know Kay would cover for me.

"Is that all I need to know?" I asked with uncertainty. No matter how fun it was to hear the jerk be flustered, I don't want to be on the phone much longer.

"Dr. Williams also said, you need to bring your imagination and all of your knowledge." He said it more as a question. Though he didn't know what it meant he still delivered the message.

"He found something new?" My hate for the man disappeared as my mind took over. Questions poured into my mind. All my wants and senses drowned in the over flowing enigma that taunted my mind.

"Honestly, I don't know."

"Is four the only time that would work?" Desperate to be enlightened I forgot about babysitters, and such.

"Well, he is in a meeting until two, but after that he will just be in the lab."

"Tell him I'll be there. Two thirty at the latest. Thank you"

"I will let him know. Thank you, Miss. Winters."

I rolled my eyes. I'm Sammy. Not Misss. Winters. Oh bring me my tea, Jeffery. Miss. Winters? Really?

"Call me Sammy or Sam. Miss. Winters is my sister. I'm not Samantha either" Even to my ears I sounded annoyed.

"Yes, Miss. Win- Sam."

"Thanks. I'll be there around two."

After hanging up the phone I looked at the kids. Poop! Please let Kay have mercy on my soul! I'll bring the kids if I have to..... Please don't make me though.

"You guys want to see Kaylie?" Of course they went crazy. "Okay. Then get in the car when we get home, and be really, really fast."

The kids ran the last block. I jogged to keep up. I opened the back door, while dialing Kaylie's number. I hopped in the front of the 2004 green Honda CR-V.

"Buckle up." The cheery tone in my voice covered my desperate hope.

The phone rang twice.

"Sam?"

"Hello, my favorite sister, who is so kind and understanding."

"What do you need, little one?"

I cringed, even though her voice was warm with love.

"You see, there are these two little minion monster things that wish to see the almighty sister sibling." She knows what I mean. "If the all powerful girl sitter of babies allows them such a privilege."

"Yes, I'll babysit." Her musical laugh allowed my cringe to be nonexistent.

"May you be blessed, almighty sister sibling. The gods smile upon your kind soul."

"Yeah. Yeah. See you in thirty."

With that we hung up. I looked up to the skies, well roof of the car. Bless the almighty sister of blood. Let her be well in her sitting of the baby-babies.

1:46?! Holy poop! I got to go.

I turned on the music and backed out of the parking lot. We were on our way!