I was sitting in a nearly empty house waiting for Miss Stevens to come home. I stared blankly at the TV screen in front of me. She did not have cable so whatever I was watching was just noise going through my 18-year-old brain. Babysitting for the neighbor was not doing it for me anymore. It was boring and did not pay much. Not to mention her bratty kid who never wanted to listen to anything I told him to do.
Her car pulled up in the driveway so I began to drag myself off the couch. I grabbed my homework that I always brought along with me but never did. I went over to unbolt the door. As I turned to get my jacket, Miss Stevens walked in. She was divorced but was always dating. She was moderately attractive but not a knockout by any stretch of the imagination. I suppose the men she dated figured they had a better chance with a woman who was not totally beautiful.
She walked in the door and took off her coat. She was wearing a silky silver blouse and a black skirt that ended right above the knee. It was a modest look. I assumed this was a first date. She seemed to have many first dates but not too many second dates. I never asked how her dates went but she had that disappointed look in her eyes. I could tell this was another wasted amount of time for her. I did not really care too much though. I just wanted to get paid and leave.
"Ed, I'm a little short tonight. Could I pay you next time?" she asked. Her voice was nearly a whisper. Miss Stevens had not paid me the last couple of times that I had come over. I knew she was not rich but I was not running a charity. I was ready to quit. Her request finally pushed me over the edge.