Switching Lives

Shop 'til You Drop

I woke up to the sound of three things. One, my phone ringing non-stop. Two, Allison screaming at the top of her lungs. And three, Eli pounding on my closed door. Simultaneously, I grabbed my phone accepting the call, got out from under my covers and oh so comfortable bed, and opened the door for Eli.

"Hello?" I mumble into the phone. Eli leads me into Allison's room and I pick her up cradling her in my arms.

"What is that screaming? Are you killing someone?" A light curious voice asks.

"More like the other way around." I mutter walking back and forth in front of the crib to get her to stop while bouncing lightly.

"Well can they put me out of my misery already?"

"I'll have to call you back." I say as Allison gets louder. Without hearing a reply I end the call and focus on Allison.

"Where is Mom?" I ask Eli who's standing there watching me. I lay her back down and check her diaper which, of course, is full. I quickly change it holding my breath as I do so.

"I don't know. I didn't hear them leave." Eli shrugs.

"And of course once again they say nothing to me." I mutter so Eli can't hear. "Can you fix a bottle?" Eli nods and starts to work on the bottle as I take Allison back out and bounce from foot to foot.

"Have you ever babysitted before?" Eli asks handing me a full bottle. I shake my head.

"I don't know how cool you think I am but I had no friends whatsoever at home. Even the adults couldn't tolerate me."

"So you had no friends? Not one single person?"

"Nope." I say popping the "p". "You're lucky. I wish I had a home this big, a sibling to hang out with, a sport to play, two parents instead of one, and friends."

"I hardly have friends and I wouldn't be able to play sports without you. You can count me as your friend and your sibling to hang out with." I look over at him as Allison starts to settle down with the bottle in her mouth.

"I like having a little brother." I tell him. He smiles a toothy smile and I can't help but laugh.

When Allison was situated and back asleep I went back to my room and pulled out my phone. There were seven texts and ten missed calls. They were all from Lilly. I call her back only for her to not answer. Why do people call a bazillion times and then don't answer when you try and call back? I hate when that happens. I throw my phone by the pillows and grab my painting stuff from the bathroom. I only got to paint half of the second persons body before my phone started ringing. I set my paint brush down and go over to my pillows where I left my phone and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hey. Everyone done screaming now?"

"Yep. What's up?"

"Well I had originally called to ask if you wanted to go to the mall but then I decided to see if you had changed your mind about going to the party. So what do you say? Wanna shop 'til we drop and party all night?"

"No. Not really." I say picking up my paint brush.

"Please? Come to the party just for an hour and if you like it we can stay longer! Please?"

"I don't want to. Plus I have to watch Eli and Allison."

"Who?" Lilly questions momentarily forgetting about the party.

"My brother and sister."

"Oh come on! Find someone to watch them! Get a babysitter." She suggests.