Babysitting tends to have several kids that are the same. Boys like trains and trucks; girls like dolls and playing house. But not “E” and “M” or, as they call themselves, Annie and July. When Kat and I go over to their house to babysit, the two have already cast who plays what orphan or Miss Hannigan. Kat is always Miss Hannigan and I’m Pepper.

“Miss Hannigan” always orders “E” and “M” to clean up in her rare gruff voice. To her, it is just acting. She punishes me so that I don’t have to clean up. I didn’t make the mess. I know this may sound strange but she punishes me so I’m in the so-called rat corner or punishment box. After the girls are sent to clean, Kat comes in with my book so I can read.

The punishment box is actually a box that a chair set came in. I can easily climb over the side but “E” and “M” are stuck when Kat or I put them there. If they need to go to the bathroom, they need to yell for Kat or I to get them out. Who would want to clean the whole basement as a game? Strangely, “E” and “M” find it fun and their mom thanks us for getting the two to clean up without complaining. (They actually complain, but not a lot.)

“E” is always Annie. She even has a little heart locket that she wears every time I’m over there. “M” is always Molly or July. She can never decide. So I just call her an orphan because I can never keep track. After awhile, there is nothing left to clean so we go upstairs for bed or snack. They like cheese and Kat and I are always making quesadillas, our specialty.

Kat and I don’t mind running an orphanage for a while but it’s good to come back home. If the job gets too hard, we just remember that the sun will come out tomorrow.

LAST YEAR: No entry–I was flying to London

LAST FIVE ENTRIES:

Here I Am
L’Shana Tova
Crisp
Residual New Yorker
Interfering With Education

previous - next

|

Copyright 2006 by Ellen