I was reviewing the interview questions for the following day when Josiah texted me. I looked at it and took a moment before reading what was inside.
Josiah: Your brother is aware that we will be meeting on Friday. May I invite him?
My brother Dale had altered so many relationships, including ours. I sighed as I remembered when it had all started, and why in the first place.
*****
-Flashback: March 5, 2010-
I was rummaging through my studies like I had the whole world on my shoulders. My bed was pretty much my study table. Books were laid out like checkers at each corner, while I sat in the middle as the prime checkmate. I had a lot of this on my mind. I had three exams this week, plus I need to work extra time to pay my school expenses. I had no time to chill or to make excuses. I need this degree, and I was going to get it.
I nibbled my way through pages of information on marketing strategies. I felt like the chains in my mind were at war, that my nerves were shattering, and my mind was going blank. I bent my neck, forcing myself to look at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and exhaled. I just knew if I continued, I might just damage my own nerve cells. I closed my eyes, knowing that at this moment I wasn't able to retain anything. I needed a break, but I couldn't afford one.
Then there was a bang on the door. My whole body shook briefly in shock as I heard a knock on the door. I was having a brief moment of tranquility. I was recovering before I was rudely interrupted by the echoing noise. My eyes ran across the door. I turned the pages of the book in my hands and begrudgingly ignored it. I began reading when the sound announced itself again. I groaned internally.
I was in a livid rage when I got up and opened the door.
"What is it?! I clearly said I didn't want to be disturbed!" I said as I opened the door. I left out heated steam. I stared at the boyish figure. His dusty brown hair and dark eyes widen at me. I folded my hands at my chest when I realized my brother was standing right in front of me. He looked a bit taken back, by my tone, but quickly glanced past me to see my troubles.
"I warned you, she's busy," Roxanna said from the hallways.
"Yeah, I can see that," Dale said as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. I flared my nostrils at him, knowing he knew better. "Look… I—I won't disturb you if it wasn't important," he quickly responded.
I leaned on the doorway and glanced over at him. He was dressed—overdressed, to be precise. He seemed to be going on a date in his well-pressed shirt. Even his pants looked bright on him. "What is Dale, I'm busy."
"Well, it's…" His eyes bounced around instead of looking at me. I clench and release my hands at him, ushering him to the side. "Just hear me out, I won't take long." I arched an eyebrow at him. "Okay-okay, um… I have a babysitting job for you."
I tighten my eyes at him. "Are you serious right now?" I didn't have time to babysit. I had my own 'baby problems' and they were right on my bed. I need to go back to my room. I began turning when he arched his hands on the door.
"Just hear me out. Please, Katy." He had me with those pleading eyes.
I exhaled heavily and resumed my stance. "Fine, make it quick," I said.
"Look, I know you are working overtime to make up for school expenses, and working at the bar at late hours is also keeping up your time. Which is the reason why you are now benched and studying," Dale tilted his head toward my room, "like you are now."
"Yea," I slugged. "First year it seemed easy, but now I have a ton of work," I glazed over when I realized that it might be more stressful than expected.
"Yes, and I have the perfect solution to that." He clasped his hands.
I squinted my eyes. "Really, by babysitting? Dale, honestly, the Bottle Grounds pays me decent; why on earth would I give that up?"
I had been working at Bottle Ground for a year before starting university, saving every penny. My hours were late nights, on my feet, mixing drinks. However, I never complained. Jackson, the owner, even gave me a raise when I started my first year. I just never expected that after paying school fees, and ancillaries, there would be more to pay than I expected. Hence, I was stuck working more hours.
"Well… maybe you won't need to give it up but manage your time better," Dale suggested. "For four hundred and fifty bucks for the day, I think that's reasonable."
My eyes twinkled. That was more than I make in a night at the bar, plus tips and extra hours. I bite my lips, Dale has me.
"I'm listening," my voice sang.
"It's strictly only on the weekends, Saturdays, and Sundays. All day, from nine am to five p.m." Dale smiled at me. "Other days… that might be on request if necessary, but you would be informed, and on those days you could decide whether or not you wanted to babysit." I seemed too dreamy to be true. When I thought about it more, babysitters don't get paid this much.
"What's the catch?"
"Ugh," Dale looked lost at my response.
"You know what I mean… troublemaker child," I hold my breath. "Is he disabled?" I murmured.
"No, no, no…" Dale flinched. "He's quite healthy, and he's adorable … He's the sweetest and smallest dude I know. He just turned four."
"Then… why? Why pay so much?"
"His mother is busy…" Dale paused. "In short terms. His father isn't involved in his life, and she does everything. She owns a business and can't have him around, so she's willing to pay someone to babysit him. That's simple it." I ran my eyes over him. "Honesty, Katy, that's it."
I puckered my lips. This deal was amazing. I could earn more and probably have more time. No, I would. I could even still do Thursday and Friday nights at Bottle Ground, Jackson would definitely understand. Dale said he was four; he would be talking by now and easy to communicate with. 'Adorable', I wonder what adorable meant in Dale's book, but he doesn't normally use such words unless they are true.
I do not even know how to babysit. At all. I mean, it's just a kid, right? All I needed to do was watch him, so he does not die. Feed him to avoid tantrums. I should probably let him watch Paw Patrol or Tom and Jerry just to keep him quiet. Plus, he must take naps, which I just tuck him in for even at night if his mother runs late. Especially, at the end of it all, I could study during those times. I can do this. I can study. Save and pay my school fees. I am doing this. Wait, am I seriously concerned about doing this?
"I guess… I'm interested," I stated.
"Awesome! I told her you would be the perfect pick."
"What?! I have never babysat before. Though I know how to deal with a child, I think…perfect is too much perfect for a word."
"You babysit me all the time, sis."
"I shouldn't have, you're the bigger sibling," I said while pinching his nose.
"Hey," Dale grinned. "Let me tell her," he said while taking out his phone.
"Wait," I clashed my hand over his phone. "I didn't say yes."
"But you will," he sparkled, and he went on to do so either way.
"Shana," Dale went on to say. "She said yes." He listened. "Um, sure, she can take him this evening." My face dropped. "The next hour is good." Then he hangs up.
"What do you mean by the next hour… And this evening!" I hollered at him. I swore the cords on my neck stood out. What did Dale just do?
"Come on, sis, it's just for this evening … and tomorrow, you won't need to work late night shifts this weekend."
"I'm going to kill you!" I said as I started to hit him. "How could you? I'm studying, right now!"
"What did he do?" Roxanna said as she peeled around the corner and stared at us down the hallways with a bag in her hand. Roxanna looked like she was going out too.
"Getting her job," Dale shrugged his shoulders.
I groaned and turned away to slam my door in his face. How dare he, when he saw the mess I was in. I curled into bed, hearing his echoing pleas and Roxanna scolding him. I sat looking at my papers. I sighed heavily.
As I thought about it, I wouldn't need to go to the bar if I did the babysitting this weekend. I would pretty much cover the rounds I would need to do. I would then have time to study later. I screamed internally as I rummaged my hands through my hair. Dale had no right, but he was right. I laid myself on the bed and stared at the ceiling, calming myself. I know myself. There was no way I was going to pass this up. How bad can this get?
"Sis, c'mon! Please forgive me. Hey, I'll already tell her yes. There's no way, I can retract it now."
"You deserve this; you babysit the little brat since he's so cute!" Roxanna chanted. "She has schoolwork!"
I smiled and relaxed for the first time since the day had started. Dale said within an hour. I'll let him sweat some more to teach him a lesson.