One Of The Girls

Chapter 7: Josh

Two weeks have passed since I found out how Bee feels about me. We've hardly even spoken, and I feel awful about it. When I tried to speak to her and apologize, she got mad at me. I lost every bit of courage I had, and I couldn't muster up any more to try again.

It's Saturday now, and I have spent every day for two weeks missing Bee like crazy, but this afternoon it's even worse. You see, tonight I am babysitting for my neighbors, the Nicholson's. This is something I'm accustomed to. The two boys (ages 10 and 8) are practically my best buddies. We play video games, we joke about farts, and we play in the backyard.

​It's the baby I don't like.

​Babysitting for this family has been a two-person activity since the 9th grade. Bee is always here with me, and they never ask just one of us over to watch their kids. But tonight, Bee has a date with Alex, and I'm here alone. Which means I have to tend to the two boys and Tabitha, a 6 month old baby girl.

​​Me: are you sure you don't wanna come help?

​I send the message to both Drew and Noah.

​​Noah: I'm gay and I don't like babies.

​​Drew: Mmm. Maybe next time.

​I lock my phone and then knock on the door reluctantly. Backup will not be coming tonight.

​Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson open the door, and the two boys are sitting on the stairs behind them, looking like angels. Mrs. Nicholson is dressed in a red skirt suit thing, and her husband is in black khakis. They are going to a banquet for her law firm tonight. She is an attorney, which makes the babysitting all the more anxiety inducing.

​"Josh! Just in time," greets the Mrs. "Come on in!"

​I enter the house, and the sweet couple makes way for me in the foyer.

​"Dinner is in the oven, the timer is on. Just take it out in..." she checks her watch, "fifteen minutes," Easy enough. "Since Beatrix won't be here tonight, please pay attention to the baby monitors..."

​"Honey, he's got it," says her husband. He stays at home and watches the kids, and therefore has a reinforced notion that boys can handle childcare and housework. Which is great, but does not work for my benefit because he's the one who talked me into believing I could do this without Bee.

​I'm sure I'll be great with the baby. Bee just bonded with her, that's not my fault. I can bond with her tonight. It'll be fine. I'll be fine.

​Then Mrs. Nicholson says the blessed words, "The baby is asleep in her crib upstairs; she should be fine until we get back home if you just let her rest. The boys know to stay out of the nursery, so don't worry."

​"Okay," I say, and she smiles at me worriedly.

​"Honey, he's got it," reassures her husband.

​"Oh," she hugs me, "I know you'll do fine."

​"You know our numbers, just give us a call if you need anything," offers her husband, but I know that only means if one of the kids breaks an arm. I nod at him, and he says, "Atta boy."

​The couple leaves, and the door closes behind them. It takes everything in me to not turn and run after them and beg them not to leave me with the baby. I turn to the stairs, and see my little men, Tim and Walter, waiting patiently for my attention.

​"No Bee today?" asks Walter, the older one. There is a glimmer of mischief behind his round black glasses.

​"Nope, just me," I admit. With no backup.