Maria - Tammy has a babysitter!?

Tammy huffed down the stairs - she figured it was probably UPS or the Jesus people, and was almost sure she'd ignore whoever this was. She peeked through the curtain of her front window - an unusual sight - her neighbor and a friend of her parents', Maria. What was she doing here? She's always been so nosey and irritating, from Tammy's perspective. The kind of lady to hand out unsolicited advice, talk for hours on end, give you stupid little pet names..

She probably doesn't realize everyone else is gone, Tammy thought. She didn't feel like interacting with Maria, especially in her current predicament. Maybe if she jut doesn't answer, or make any sudden movements, she'll just leave

"Tammy, Honey, I know you're in there!" Maria shouted from outside.

God, what is this!? What does this woman want? She's a friend of Tammy's parents, why is she looking for Tammy?

Why does she know that I'm home?

"Honey, your parents told me what's going on, I'm here to look after you while they're gone!"

Tammy's heart sank and her blood boiled - her parents got her a babysitter? Not just a babysitter, but an annoying one!

There was no point in pretending she wasn't there, and who knows, maybe Tammy could convince Maria to let her borrow some clothes.

Holding back the tears of humiliation, trying to maintain her poker face, Tammy cracked open the door to let Maria slide through.

She shut the door and wrapped her arms around herself as much as she could to cover herself, despite her very obvious situation.

For what felt like an eternity to Tammy, the two women stood in the entryway in awkward silence, with Tammy trying desperately not to look Maria in the eye. She felt like crying.

Maria looked the fallen princess up and down, and sighed, letting out the tiniest laugh. The older woman broke the silence, "Well Ms. Tam, I guess your parents weren't joking, they've got you running around butt naked!"

Tammy didn't know how Maria expected her to respond. She didn't find this situation funny at all. It angered her to know that to Maria, and to her family, her humiliation was some big joke. "What do you want, Maria? Did you just come here to make fun of me?" Tammy asked, nearly feeling defeat.

"Now, don't be upset, Tam, this isn't my punishment, it's your parents doing this to you. This isn't exactly how I would've handled your situation, as a parent, but its not my place to judge yours. They simply felt that this experience would humble you, and help you to appreciate the privileges you have in your life. You're a beautiful, smart, young lady, and I want to see you succeed in life! That means following some hard rules sometimes and letting go of your pride." Maria stepped forward and began lightly stroking Tammy's hair. Tammy's lip began to quiver, her eyes welled. This whole situation was unbelievable - the punishment, so many people being in on it. Tammy's eyes went to the floor. She couldn't look at Maria, it was just too humiliating.

"Your parents asked me if I would stay here with you while they're gone to make sure that you're fed and that you're staying on top of your chores. And we could even try to have a little fun together! C'mon, Tam, you're naked, not dying! This week doesn't have to suck completely! C'mon, what do you say? Maybe we could play a game or something? Are you hungry? I could make us some dinner? C'mon, Sweetie, tell me what you want"