The Babysitter's Secret

I never suspected where it would one day lead.

It was a particularly threatening Thursday night in early December when I called on Jenny for the visit that would change my life forever. Shawna's mother was performing in a musical put on by a local theater group and my wife had decided to drive the two hours to watch and support her mother. The kids and I would have gone under normal circumstances but the performance was being given two hours away and the next day was a school day. I would have to be at work in the morning and the kids would have to be at school. There simply wouldn't be enough time. Shawna decided to stay overnight to avoid a late-night drive home so it would be just me and the kids.

Then I received a last-minute call inviting me to an emergency meeting of the Teachers' Union to discuss a possible strike. Despite the forbidding skies, I couldn't just refuse such an important meeting. I couldn't leave the kids alone, either. I called Mike and told him the situation.

"Do you think Jenny could come and watch the kids for a few hours?" I asked. "I know it's a school night but I'm really in a bind."

"I'm not sure . . ." he said hesitantly.

"Please, Mike," I pleaded. "I don't have any other option."

"Alright," he said after another moment. "Let me go ask her."

I waited nervously. A minute or two later, someone returned to the phone. It wasn't Mike, though. It was my favorite babysitter. "Hey, Mr. Fuller!" Jenny said in her bubbly voice.

"Hey kiddo," I replied. "So what's the final report?"

"My dad is just getting his boots on and then he's gonna bring me over," she explained.

"That's great, Jenny," I said. "Thanks so much. You're really helping me out."

"No problem! Oh wait, here he comes. See you in a few!"

"OK! Bye!"

I hung up the phone, then told the kids what was happening tonight. They were both thrilled that Jenny was coming over and could barely contain their excitement. Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang and I opened the door to find Jenny on the steps outside my house. Her adorable, cherubic face was haloed by copper red hair and freckles dotted her cheeks and nose. Her green eyes seemed to dance.