and I are ready to go. We just
have to make our escape.
Mom is in the kitchen, working
on dinner. Jake is watching TV
in the living room. “Hey,” I call
to him, “I’ve got something to do.
Will you watch Hunter for a few?”
He turns, assesses, understands
the gist of what he sees.
Maybe. What’s in it for me?
He loves Hunter, often
babysits when Mom can’t
play nanny. But it’s only fair
I pay him something. “Ten
dollars?” I offer.
Okay. But don’t stay
out too late. And what should
I tell Mom?
Mom. Oh, yeah. He’ll have
to tell her something. Not
like the subject won’t come
up before too very long.
“Tell her…”
What should he tell her?
Oh, what the hell. Why lie
about it? Not like I’m grounded,
and I did set up the babysitting.
“Tell her I’ve got a date.”
She’ll Want to Know
Why I didn’t tell her myself.