Were they sure these kids even needed a babysiter? Kelli certainly looked old enough to take care of Jeff, if he even needed any looking after.Were they sure these kids even needed a babysiter? Kelli certainly looked old enough to take care of Jeff, if he even needed any looking after. Judith was adamant, though - kids should not be left alone. What if someone broke in? What if there was a fire? Fine, fine, I had said, though I had to wonder if someone *did* break in if I would stick around to be of any use. I arrived at 6:00, just after they had finished dinner. Their place was pretty messy, especially compared to our spotless home (my wife is a neatness fanatic), but I guessed that was due to the presence of the kids. I expected a night of real horror after seeing the disarray around me; `these kids must be monsters,' I thought. Pete greeted me with a smile. "Say, Hank! We really appreciate this, pal. We're finally going to get out on our own for the first time in, god, how long honey?" Judith emerged from the kitchen, wearing an evening dress with a plunging neckline. She was a nice looking lady for someone 15 years my senior. "Forever," she said, and smiled at me strangely. "Yeah, forever. Anyway, we're going to Les Miserables and then a late supper. Midnight too late for you?" "No, not at all," I said, wincing internally. "My wife gets home about then, so I'll just call her and tell her I may be over here when she gets home." As I was talking I began to hear some decidedly loud thumps coming from upstairs. Pete noticed me glancing at the ceiling. "Kids!," he yelled up at the stucco, "knock it off and get down here." I heard giggles and more rumbling, then footsteps running down the stairs. Little Jeff emerged first. He was awfully short for his age, and wiry. He really looked like a much younger kid than he was. |