Stacy. April you don’t have much choices. Linda is going away to college tomorrow, Samantha enlisted into the armed forces. And most of the rest of the kids in the neighborhood are either too young to watch them or are untrustworthy to watch your girls for that long of a time each day and you know it. Honey.
April; I know but an agency? I mean.. shrugging, I’m just so uncomfortable with that. Bill always handled so much for me in general. Looking down sadly. I can’t believe it’s a year already you know Stace?
Stacy: Here, just call. Hands her the card for Next Of Kin Babysitting Agency. Ms. Abrose or Sylvia is just so wonderful with my children and I know Carol loves hers as does Linda and Karen so, try it! It won’t hurt and you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Smiling at her friend.
April: Yeah okay, I have 3 more days of vacation before I go back so I can call and get them to send someone over asap.
Stacy: Good girl. I know you will enjoy their services and be happy with the sitters. They are great people.
April: Well that remains yet to be seen doesn’t it. Smirking at her.
Stacy Oh You!! Swatting playfully at April.
April: Hello? Yes, I am wondering if you can help me. I need a babysitter as soon as possible. Actually to start Monday morning.
Agency: Well, we can do that. This will be for how many children?
April; Two, girls, twins. They are 5 years old
Agency: You say they are age 5? Are they already in school then?
April: Yes they are. Kindergarten over at Erwin Street Elementary.
Agency. Oh good. What are the hours you will need the sitter and do you require any cooking?
April: 7 am to 6 pm are the hours. I work 8-5 but the drive is about 40 min each way. So I will need 3 meals a day to be made for them.
Agency. Okay. And do you need them on the weekends too?
April; Only one Saturday a month.
Agency. Are their any health issue or allergies we need to be aware of? All our sitters are first aid trained and CPR cerified.
April; Oh that is wonderful, but no, I don’t need any special service as that for my children. They are general very healthy, no allergies of any kind at this point. No broken bones or anything that would warrant anything extra. Smiles nervously into the phone.
Agency: Well, I do have a sitter available that finished current job today. Umm..let’s see, I have discussed what you are needing. Now let me explain a bit about us. First, how did you hear about us? Were you referred?
April’ Yes I was, by a Stacy Carver. She’s recommended you highly.
Agency; That’s great to know. Our best advertising is by word of mouth. Basically, we are a family owned business and have been in operation for 40 years. We pride our services on finding and hiring the best of the best people to be sitters for us. Never in all this time have we had anyone unhappy with a sitter or our services.
April; That is good to know. Smiling as she listened to the woman on the phone.
Agency; I am the owners great granddaughter Mrs. Jones but you may call me Susan if you wish. We are very open around here to our clients. Smiling in the phone at April
April; Oh well, okay Mrs. Jo- Umm Susan. How much do you charge per week and may I make a monthly payment or do I pay by the week and to who exactly?
Susan; You can do either and you pay by sending us the payment and we pay the sitter every week on Saturday. It’s $300 per week, but we do offer a six month intro rate of $175 per week then when six months are up. It goes back to regular price. Since you are a referral from a long time client that knocks off another $50 per week for Three months with first week free to see if you are okay with our services and sitter. I usually call after the 3 day and inquire if services are satisfactory.
April That is great! Okay. I really hope you can help me. Everything sounds perfect. So, Thank you Susan. So, I’ll see the sitter about 6:45 am on Monday?
Susan: 6:45 am Monday. Got it. We will have a sitter there to you on time. Don’t you worry. Welcome to Next Of Kin.
They hang up the phone and April sits on the couch thinking to herself. “God, did I do the right thing for my babies?” She closes her eyes and thinks of her beautiful Bill. I miss him so much. She remembers their beach trips and little family day trips to the zoo and country side. They were always active and doing something alone and with the children but since now both their parents are gone, it makes it hard to do anything at all. April sighs and turns on the television to watch a movie. The children will be home in 2 hours so she better use this time to relax.
