The Planet's Always Bluer

Chapter 4-Earth

////Above: Picture of Adam////

            I walked to the Scheds' house. God help me. The Scheds are the smelliest, most obnoxious, intolerable kids you'll ever meet. The parents aren't much better. They just leave me with the kids and run out the door. They don't even pay that well. I don't even know why I still babysit for them.

I walk up to their porch and ring the bell. Mrs. Sched opens the door, and I can hear commotion on the other side. I heard a vase break.

"Good afternoon dear. Larson! Stop that this minute!" She turned back at me, "Won't you come in dear?"

I stepped inside, "How long will you guys be gone?"

"We'll be back around six. If any of you get hungry there's some tomato and cream cheese you could fix. Oh, and Jamie needs a bath if you don't mind."

I looked at the kid. Ugh. I need Mr. Clean in the flesh for this one. I faked a smile, "No problamo Mrs. S."

Mr. Sched came in, trying to straighten his tie. "Oh, thank God you're here," He turned to the missus. "We're going to be late honey, let's go."

They started for the door, "Good bye! Have a fun time!"

"Thanks for coming on such short notice Tammy!" They yelled back. After two years of babysitting these monsters, they still can't get my name correct.

I looked to the kids; they barely noticed their parents were gone. I promised myself I would control these monsters today. I took a deep breath.

I clapped, "Alright! I'm in charge now!" Surprisingly, they all stopped and looked at me. This strict thing really works.

"Today I'm not taking any crap from anyone. I'm running a different system now. I'll treat you based on how you treat me. Do you want to see me get angry?" They all shook their heads in unison, "That's what I thought. Now, Jamie, get ready for your bath."

"But,"

"No buts Mr. I'll be there in a minute."

The four year old reluctantly walked to his room with a confused face.

"Now, since you two are older, I expect you both to play nice. Right?"

"Right." Anita nodded.

Larson wasn't as easy.

"Uh huh. Yeah right. What are you going to do about it? Tell my mommy? That doesn't work." He crossed his arms.

I bent down to his level, "I know that doesn't work. If you don't behave, you'll get a spanking and get sent to your room. This isn't my first rodeo kid."

"What? You used to be the cool babysitter. What happened to that Tommi?"

"I don't know Larson, but I have a feeling she's not coming back. Play nice while I give your brother a bath."

He put a pouty face on, "Ok."

...

At 6:15 I heard the garage door open. Thank God. This whole assertive thing really did the trick. I got Jamie clean in a half an hour, and I didn't have any more problems with Larson after our little "chat". It didn't even seem like Anita existed, but she's ten so she was never really a problem.

The couple came in, "How was your day kids?"

"Good," Jaime and Anita said in unison, while Larson just crossed his arms.