Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, and it was created solely by me as the author. All characters are over the age of 18. Any similarities to characters, real life people, or things are all happenstance, though my appreciation to those who have
inspired
my works is immense. YSI, my treasured friend.
Author's Note:
This is the first part of a series I've created about some experiences I envisioned once upon a lifetime. As it is a first for me in
this
category, I hope you'll find yourself wanting to check out the rest of my works while you wait to see what else I've got to share! Please *follow me* so you'll be the first to know when the next parts come out. I know you'll want to see what happens!
Questions and comments are welcome. Please take the time to rate this story also. I hope everyone will be kind.
I Was Their Babysitter - pt. 1
"So, how's college going?" Connie Dartmouth asked me as we walked around the mall. I'd known her since I was nine years old, had just moved into the neighborhood, and had been watched after school by her. Then, when I was eleven, almost as if in a week's time, I became her kids' babysitter.
"It's different, that's for sure," I answered. "I sure appreciate your offer to take me out for some shopping. It's nice to hang out with you a little more than the usual couple of minutes before and after I babysit for you."
"Well, the kids don't need a babysitter all that often anymore, but we sure enjoy your company. You're part of the family, you know?"
"I love your kids as if they were my own," I answered honestly. I always thought about what-if situations, and if something happened, God forbid, to Mark and Connie Dartmouth, I'd fight like hell to remain in their lives and be their guardian if at all possible. I was young, sure, but determined as hell.
"That's why you still get called now and then to stay with Chrissy," Connie reminded me. Janet, Jack, and Chrissy were the three kids I'd been babysitting for eight years now. They were some of my favorite people on the whole planet. Oh, their names? Weird, right? Especially for this era. Well, their parents were obsessed with Three's Company, and to pay homage, to pick names no one else would use (anymore), and because each name was in the family tree somewhere, those are what they went with.
"Well, hey," I stated as I stopped near the stairs. "Would you like to stop for lunch? My treat, too," I offered. "You really didn't have to pay for my outfit earlier, and it's nice to spend some time with you. With my job at Diamond's, I can pay for things like that. It was from babysitting for you guys so often that I was able to buy my first car!"
"OK, just this once," Connie gave in. "But you really don't have to do that. I suppose here in the little food court, it won't put you out
too
much. But I still have another couple of shops that I want to take you to, and those will be on me. When you finished high school, we sent a gift over, but I really wanted to get you a few more things. That's part of this shopping trip's purpose."
"Well, I can't wait to hear what else you've got in mind," I shared and took her arm to make our way down to the lower level.
As we sat and ate our food, Connie gave me her perspective about how I had come into their lives as a young lady and grew into a beautiful woman. It was so nice to hear, but taking compliments wasn't always my strong suit. She touched my hand a few times and assured me that it was true.
"I remember the first time we had you babysit," she reminisced. "You were a little nervous, but we knew you'd do great, not to mention the fact that your parents were two streets over. When we came home, you were asleep on the couch. I think that's the only time we ever found you that way."
"Yeah," I admitted and covered my face. "I remember waking up and feeling like I had failed because I hadn't stayed awake!"
"Oh, nonsense," Connie argued and laughed. "Mark took you home, and you just kept coming back."
"Well, I had a pretty good gig with you guys," I responded with a shrug. "You tended to stay out pretty late, so I got to put the kids down at nine, and I had the house to myself for a good five hours, usually."
"Mmm-hmm," Connie replied with a smile. "And, while we've never talked openly about it, we don't exactly have the
usual
things to do or look at or watch at our house." I began to blush and look down at my food. I mean, I knew what she was talking about, and she'd only mentioned it once as a laughing point when getting ready to leave years earlier, but otherwise, I was well aware as to what she was addressing. "And you've explored the many options, yes?"
"I always snuck a peak in the bathroom," I confessed. "I mean, I was basically sheltered when growing up. I couldn't even talk to my mom about some things, but I was curious, and they were right there, so..."
"You can admit it," Connie encouraged. "We're friends, Steph. If you're comfortable talking about it, I'd like to continue asking you about it."
"Well, as long as you're OK with me blushing," I answered and shook my head. "For as much as I know, I guess you could say, I'm still a bit, um... inexperienced."
"Oh, that's OK," Connie assured me. "So, did you watch the channel?" I nodded remembering all the times I'd scoped out the naughty channel after the kids were asleep. "Ever watch any movies?"
"On the channel?"
"No, in our collection?" Connie corrected and patted my hand.