The Babysitter_(13)

“But, Daddy! I’m 24 years old! I don’t NEED a babysitter!” I whined as he buttoned his coat by the front door that Saturday afternoon. “Tell her not to come!”

“Your tone of voice tells me it’s obvious that you DO need someone to watch you”.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I stood there, staring at the door, glaring at it.

“Well? Aren’t you going to answer it?”

I stuck out my bottom lip as I turned the handle to let the babysitter in.

“Hello, Julie! Please come in! Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Daddy said, grabbing his briefcase. “Come and kiss Daddy goodbye, Honey.”

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and didn’t move.

“Suit yourself then”, he said, indifferent. Then he turned his attention to Julie once more. “She’s been like this all day, but I just haven’t had time to deal with her. She also wet her bed last night and I’ve yet to change the sheets”.

She smiled sweetly at him. “No worries! I know how to deal with bratty, mouthy children.”

“Thank you again, Julie. I really appreciate it”. Then he turned his eyes on me once more as he was halfway out the door. “Are you SURE you won’t give Daddy a kiss? He’ll be very sad.”

I broke down and threw my arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. “Please don’t go, Daddy. Pretty please? I’ll be good and won’t even peepee the bed tonight. PLEASE!” I begged.
He patted my head and kissed my hair. “Daddy has an important thing for work today and he has to go. Now be good, you understand me?”

“Yes, Sir,” I said sullenly as I let go and sulked back towards the living room couch as Julie closed the door.

“Did Daddy diaper you for wetting your big girl bed, Krissy?” she asked, coming towards me.

“No! And YOU can’t either! You’re not the boss of me!” I said, sticking my tongue out at her and recrossing my arms.

“Hasn’t your Daddy ever told you that little girls should be seen and NOT heard?” Julie didn’t look amused by my attitude at all!

She doesn’t baby-sit me very often, but Daddy always notices a BIG difference in my compliance and attitude after she’s watched over me.