The Babysitter//Zach Herron

Ch 2- Dinner at the Herron's house

...

My dad and I walk over to their house and I ring the doorbell.

Of course, little Reese opens the door. She grabs my arm and pulls me inside. She starts rambling about all of her dolls upstairs that she wants to show me. Reese is too cute!!

Mr. Herron and my dad start talking and seem to be really getting along. Im very happy for this because I want my dad to make friends just as much as he does.

I meet their son Ryan, a 13 year old boy who is very polite.

Reese begs me to pick her up and carry her around. How could I say no to this sweet girl?

I pick her up and walk into the kitchen where Myta is pulling a freshly baked chicken parm right out of the oven.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" I ask Myta.

"Actually it would be great if you could help get the salad prepared, I chopped everything up and just need it to be put in a serving bowl." She says.

I put all the veggies in a glass bowl and bring it over to the dining room table. 

Ryan is in the living room playing a video game.

"Dinner is ready" Myta shouts loudly.

My dad and Mr. Herron walk out of a room I'm assuming is his office because I overhear my dad complimenting the computer software. My dad kind of geeks out over computer stuff, he's a software engineer.

Mr. Herron is at the head of the table, Myta is at the other end. Ryan and Reese and both next to her. I sit next to Reese and my dad sits next to Ryan. There are two empty seats but only one of them has a place mat. Almost as if someone normally sits there.

We all say grace, and dig in to this delicious looking meal! 

Myta asks me about myself, you know the usual questions like "what grade are you in" and "do you play any sports?" and "what do you like to do in your free time?"

I answered one of her questions and she immediately got all giddy. I told her I play guitar and sing in my free time. 

"Our oldest son, Zach, is a musician and he's your age too! He's not here right now because he is in California with his band called Why Don't We."

"Your son is in a band??" I said with excitement. 

"Yes he is, and they have released multiple EPs and had a song hit number one on the iTunes pop charts last week! We are very proud parents." exclaimed Mr. Herron.

I am in awe, a guy who happens to be my neighbor, who also happens to be in a band rising to fame, WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE MY AGE??? Woah things are already looking up for me!!

We continue eating and Myta tells us a little bit more about Zach's band.

Reese chimes in here and there to talk about how much she loves a specific song, or how one of the band mates always brings her candy when they see each other.

After dinner Mr. Herron puts Reese to bed and Ryan heads up to his room for the night. My dad heads home to continue unpacking boxes. Myta and I clean up the dishes and wipe down the kitchen.

She tells me that Zach will actually be coming home tomorrow night for the first time in 3 months. I can't even imagine being away from my dad for 2 weeks, let alone 3 months!!

"Zach is flying in late tomorrow night, but don't tell Reese or Ryan because Mr. Herron and I are the only ones who know. We want to surprise the kids when they see their big brother the next morning after he arrives!"

"Awww I bet Reese will be so excited to see him. It seems like she really misses him." I reply.

"Speaking of Reese," she says, "we were hoping to see if someone could watch her tomorrow night while we leave to go pick up Zach from the airport at 12am. It wouldn't be difficult I promise, she will just need a bath and then someone to put her to sleep. Could you maybe do that for us?"

"I would love to!! Reese is so sweet and it would be a very nice distraction from all of the unpacking I have to do." I say with a smile.

"Yay perfect thank you so much!" Myta replies. 

We finish cleaning up and I head home for the night. I can't wait for tomorrow night when I get to babysit Reese!!