I pull up to the house I was hired for. It's in a bit of a rich suburban neighborhood, so I know this family has a bit of money, which means a possible tip at the end of the weekend.
The job explained to me over the phone was a bit "strange" to say the least as far as babysitting jobs go.
I've babysat kids of all ages, but one this old is far and few in between. It wouldn't even be considered babysitting, more like college kid sitting.
"It's more of a house-sitting gig, really," the parents explained over the phone. I didn't care too much. As long as they paid my rates for the whole weekend and gave a decent tip, I'd guard the sidewalk for them.
They said they would explain more when I arrived about the situation with their kid, and if I wanted to drop them afterwards, it would be understandable. It seems they have a hard time keeping the same sitter around, or at least one that can meet their demands.
As far as my bills are behind right now, it would have to be something nightmarish for me to drop a job.
I walk up to the door and gift it 3 swift knocks to announce my arrival. The husband opens the door and greets me with a warm smile.
"Ah, you must be Jennifer! Come in, have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Oh, no thank you. I appreciate it though."
He guides me into the living room and points to the loveseat for me to sit as he takes his own seat next to his wife on the couch. I greet her as well and shake both of their hands before sitting down.
"So, the job. Like I said on the phone, it's more of a housesitting gig than anything. But our son will be here as well since it's our anniversary vacation."
I nod my head understandingly. Can't be trusted to his own devices? "Okay, that sounds easy enough. You mentioned some "special conditions" on the phone though. Would you mind elaborating?"
The couple lock eyes for a second, before the mother sighs and begins her explanation.
"Well, our son isn't exactly...the best kid. Whole reason we are hiring someone to watch over him is because last time he threw a party that resulted in half the house getting destroyed, the pantry and fridge completely emptied, and god knows how much stuff stolen."
The dad cuts in, "and that's only a single instance. He has a habit of just generally destroying the house in some way or another every time we leave. We'd like that to be prevented this time if we can."
I repeat back the job description in a blunt format to see if I got this right.
"So basically, you just want me to watch over the house and make sure your son doesn't do anything stupid, is that right?'
"Pretty much. He can order food, play his games, but no friends over. He's technically grounded right now for something else, so that means he shouldn't be going anywhere either. He can stay in his room all weekend long as far as we care, just do not let him leave the house or bring anyone in."
So, I'm playing gate guard. Easy enough.
"How exactly do I stop him if he does?"
"Any means necessary."
I raise an eyebrow. "ANY means?"
They both nod, "As long as you don't physically harm him, we could care less. If our house is still in one piece when we get back and he's in his room, we're not going to ask any questions as long as there isn't any marks on the kid."
Interesting. I want a nice, quiet weekend but I'm curious to see what kind of fight the kid will put up. And even more curious of the things I could do to him if he does...
I'd like to think they're overexaggerating about the kid, but that worried look in the mother's eyes tells me everything I need to know.
"Okay. I'll with it. I'll bring my bags inside and get setup."
Their eye gleam with relief and excitement. "Thank you so much! We've been dreading this vacation so much. We were scared we would have to cancel it. You're a lifesaver."
They both hug me and run off to grab their bags and finish packing as I go to bring my own in. I drop them in the guest bedroom and start to arrange my stuff.
After about an hour, I'm waving the parents out the door.
"Be careful! Let me know when you guys are headed back, and I'll be sure to spruce up the place."
As the dad walks by, he stops and lowers his voice, "I know we're already paying you a decent amount, but if you can manage to keep this place in one piece and not let that terror run you over, I have a pretty decent sized tip that should get you a good weekend away after this as well."
My eyes light up at the introduction of even more money. This is a dream job!
"You can count on me sir, no worries."
They finally pull out of the driveway, leaving me in charge of this house. Nothing stands in between me and a paycheck, especially some bratty kid.
I wonder...how bad he could really be?
I decided to make my way to his room to check out the competition and maybe introduce myself, let him know who's he's dealing with.
I walk down the hallway until I hear the muffled sound of gunshots and other videogame noises coming from behind a door. This must be the one.
I rap my knuckles on the door.
"What?! I'm busy, fuck off!"
Wow, does he talk to his parents that way? No wonder they need this vacation.
I don't bother knocking again, I turn the doorknob and open the door to his room.
As expected, the room is a mess. Laundry thrown all over the floor, holes in various places in the wall from thrown objects, mountain dew bottles and trash strewn across his desk while a scrawny kid with a gaming headset and a rgb keyboard clicks away at his game, ignoring the fact that I'm standing in his doorway.
I watch as he dies one more time, ending the game as he tosses his headset at the floor.
"Fucking dammit! Trash ass teammates. Why can no one just..." he finally notices me standing in the doorway.
"Who the fuck are... Oh. You must be the "babysitter" they hired." He puts air quotes around the word babysitter as he practically spits it out. The kid's attitude already disgusts me and it hasn't even been thirty seconds.
"That would be right. My name's Jennifer, what's yours?"
"None of your business, that's what."