Kelly the Babysitter

The music coming from Max’s room boomed through the house. Kelly sighed, the twenty nine year old wondered if the large paycheck was really enough to babysit this annoying kid who was way to old to need a guardian. Max was eighteen, he should be mature enough to stay home alone, but the last time his parents tried that, he had a huge party and nearly burnt the house down. So in desperation they called Kelly, asking her to stay over the full weekend while they celebrated their anniversary in Cabo, promising to make it worth her while financially. So here she was, having just arrived an hour ago and already feeling a migraine coming on.

In that short hour she had already told Max after he asked, there would be no parties this weekend. She told him that she was not going to cook for him and he was on his own to make his food. She also informed him his mother had left a list of chores that he was to do before they returned. When he then decided to tell her women are supposed to cook and do the household stuff, Kelly sent him to his room. Max stormed out in a huff, slamming his bedroom door and started blasting his music.

About half an hour had passed when Kelly heard the doorbell ring. She stood from the couch and walked over to the door. She didn’t notice that Max was now peaking at her from around the wall at the top of the stairs. When she opened the door no one was there and she cursed the neighborhood kids. Kelly nearly closed the door again when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a small package lying on the ground near the door.

The package was no bigger than the handbag she used on date nights. She picked it up and strangely, she saw that it had her name on it. Had Max’s parents ordered her something for helping them in a tight spot? There was no return address and the paper wrapping the package was plain and brown. She walked back into the living room, turning the package in her hands and after a moment began to open it.