You made me do it

“Are you the house sitter?” she asked, as though she were saying it for the second time. I stared, dumbfounded for a moment. I finally snapped to it.

“Oh, yeah. We talked on the phone,” I said, trying to keep my cool. “I’m Charlotte,” I said, sticking out my hand.

She nodded, reaching out with bony fingers. “Here are the keys.” She pressed them into my palm. “There are instructions on the kitchen counter for the chores.” I glanced over at the kitchen, spotting a folded piece of paper.

“Do them right,” she insisted, not unkindly. It was as though she were warning me, not demanding. “You may stay in the guest bedroom,” she pointed up the stairs. “It’s in the hallway to the right.”

I blushed, realizing it was the room from which I had heard the noises. The woman stepped closer to me, her voice very serious now. “Keep the dogs with you,” she insisted, almost pleading now. “Always.”