As I check for any missed calls for the explanation of why she’s so late, my eyes couldn’t help but to be drawn to the time on my phone.

“9:38?” I threw my phone back at the couch and continued to pace.

Where could she possibly be? A 40-some year old woman shouldn’t have more of a life than me, the seventeen year old who never had anything, like tonight, to look forward to. I’ve spent too many weekends at home prepping for the ACT or the next biology test, wasting away my teenage years. I should be the one who have a life. Instead, I sit at this stupid, rich Mahogany table in the middle of the empty kitchen that echoes with silence. I only took this babysitting job because I was told Mrs. T. paid well, and that I shouldn’t worry about missing the party, Mrs. T. would never be the one to run late.

I put the kids to sleep at 7:30, an hour earlier than normal, after the battle of the century. The party started at 8p.m and yet the clock was inching its way towards 10p.m, only leaving 2 hours left to go to the party. Tonight was SUPPOSED to be the first night in all of high school, in all of my life, that I was going to do something for myself. No, you know what? Tonight still will be. I just need this irresponsible mom to get home.

A ring from the kitchen broke my self-pity party. Reaching for the phone, before even saying “hello”, I hear Mrs. T apologizing, saying her dinner was running late, and by the time she gets home it will be around 11:30-12. After hearing her E.T.A , the rest of her nonsense just blurred into a thick murmur through the phone.

“Are you joking me?” I wanted to scream back through the line. Yet the only thing that managed to come out of my mouth was, “That’s perfectly fine, Mrs. T. Take your time” because I would never want to be rude, out loud. I don’t think I’ve ever talked back to someone, much less an adult. Besides, what would that do. Gosh, I just wish I had a backbone.
My phone lit up from a text message from Grace.

“Dude! Where are you? It’s almost 10!” She never failed to call me dude in any given situation.

I replied, explaining my dilemma. As I typed out my sob story, I went up stairs to check on the sound asleep toddlers. I always took for granted how well I slept when I was younger, they probably weren’t going become conscious again until 9 a.m.

“Just ditch those kids! No one would notice…” Grace quickly responded, with what I assumed to be sarcasm. Yet, it gave me an idea. Mrs. T. wouldn’t be home until 11:30, earliest, and making it across the street to the party, even for a little bit would be easy.

“Coming.”

“Really? DUDE” there she goes again, “I was kidding.” Grace finished.

I’m sure Grace was taken aback that I was even going along with this, because so was I. Grabbing my bag, I locked the back porch and slid on my flip flops. This was the first rebellious thing I’ve ever done. Thoughts of what would happen if the children woke up crossed my mind, but something changed in me. I didn’t even care. I decided needed to hurry up and leave before this momentary lapse of rebellion passed.
I felt as if I was jumping off the diving board, and the only thing left was to hit the freezing cold water, that moment standing at the front entrance and finally stepping off the steps. The night breeze brushed my skin, cooling my nervous sweat while helping me catch my breathe. I’ll be fine.

- - - - - -

I was looking at mailbox numbers to get any sense of direction, 152… 154… 156… Okay, next house. I can’t believe I did it! It was 11:25 and everything went smoothly. I turned my head and the summer hair blew against my face. Looking to my left and then to my right, I check to see if any cars are coming. A car light appeared in the distance and I decided I could sprint across and make it before it would hit me, but why? I wasn’t in any hurry. As the car pulls close enough, I recognize the model.

How? I came back thirty minutes early, just to be safe! Pfffft, now she’s on time. The car turned into the driveway while simultaneously opening the garage door. I sprinted across the street and as I reached the drive way, Mrs. T. was already getting out of the car. I took an immediate left into the next door neighbors side door. Do I walk in behind her? Where will she think I was? Probably exactly where I had been.

“Oh, I uh, went out into the garage refrigerator to get some soda.” I practiced saying out loud. No, she would have seen me then. “I went in the yard to look for….” What am I thinking, there’s no way to get out of this.

While thinking of more excuses that wouldn’t work, I ran around to the back porch. Inside, the kitchen light had been left on. I could see Mrs. Thomas putting her purse on the counter while looking around. Tears filled my eyes and slowly the sight of her had gone blurry.

“C’mon kid, don’t give up now” I told myself, squeezing my eyes tight, pushing the tears out of my eyes and down my face.

Frozen with fear and still no idea what to do, Mrs. T left the kitchen calling my name. Now’s my chance. I quickly ran up the stairs of the porch and slid open the dingy door. Closing it quietly, I tip toed to the couch and lay my head down.

Footsteps back down the stairs, I hear a calm release of breathe.

“Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry I am so late! Look at you! You even fell asleep”

“I really shouldn’t have fell asleep, I should be apologizing.”

“Don’t you dare, here’s tonight’s pay, I left a little extra in there for running so late. Thanks again and ill be sure to call you next time I need a sitter” She concluded

“Sounds great, don’t mention it.” I said, while in my head I was snickering and imagined an evil laugh. “Do-o-o-n’t mention it. Ha.”

I stood up to leave, realizing my flip flops were still on, looking down my cheeks were burning red.