Lauren

Mildred handed the phone to Lauren, who wasted no time explaining the situation.

"Hi Mrs. Smith, this is Lauren. I'm still here because Mildred thinks I'm your daughter!"

"but you are, Lauren." Came an all too familiar voice on the line.

"MOM?! How did you?"

"I called your cell, but you didn't answer, so I called your next door neighbor's cell, and she said you were babysitting her daughter."

"Yeah, how do you know my neighbor?"

"Her mother and I go way back, and I've been talking to her since she's been keeping an eye on you for me."

"Wait, can you try to explain what's going on to Mildred? She thinks I'm -" Lauren was interrupted by Patty pulling the phone away.

"Hi, this is the neighbor from across the hall." Patty said.

"Wait, but you're not...is this Patty?" Lauren's mom asked.

"Yes it is."

"Oh, you sound so grown up!"

"I know. It's crazy right?"

"Your mother said something about an older woman coming to take care of you so Lauren can leave?"

"Yes, that's Mildred. She's doing a nice job so far, but Lauren likes to do things her way." Patty said, winking at Lauren.

"Oh, I know she can be a control freak. She was a handful when she was your age, stuffing her bras, and acting like she was a woman."

"You don't say?"

"Yeah, it's a good thing she finally developed. I don't know what would have happened if she kept deluding herself."

"That's good to know"

"So I guess she won't be leaving anytime soon?"

"I suppose not. You know how Lauren can be."

"Well, just be patient and hope having two babysitters won't be too hard for you."

"Don't worry, I'll be just fine."

Lauren nearly gagged at how obvious Patty was playing her mother. However, she didn't like the fact that Patty now had control back. Once she hung up the phone, she had no idea what to expect.