Rebecca is upset with Lucy after she tearsily returns home from babysitting after a week of work. Mrs. Carpenter, their conceited neighbor, declined to pay, calling it a “life lesson.” Rebecca is determined to make things right and devises a cunning plan of retaliation to make sure Mrs. Carpenter is left with a lasting impression. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Lucy staggered through the door. I froze, my movements momentarily stopped by the unexpected and startling sight of her.
My daughter never cried easily, and when she did, it was not like this: her body was radiating pain, her chest was rising and falling with ragged breaths, and tears were clinging to her lashes. “Lucy?” My hands found her shoulders as I hurried to her side. “What took place?” She swiped at her cheeks, attempting to gather herself, but she could not respond immediately away, only shaking her head. However, I could see that she had lost her struggle, which made my stomach turn.
I grabbed her by the shoulders and slid her over to the couch. Her hands trembled as she fidgeted with her sweater sleeve, and I waited, heart racing, trying to figure out what had broken her this badly. Lucy finally raised her head to face me, her speech barely audible above a whisper. “She would not pay me, Mom,” I said. Perplexed, I blinked. “What do you mean? Who?”
“Mrs. Carpenter, hello!” Her eyes filled with new tears, and her voice broke. It was a lesson in life, she remarked. “You ought to obtain documents at all times.” Never rely on the word of someone!” “What did she say?” My voice broke as my incredulity gave way to rage. She added that I should have learned hard work from babysitting and that was sufficient compensation. Mom, then she shut the door on me.” The words took hold and my stomach began to turn. “So, you got no money from her at all?” As Lucy went on, I sensed my heartbeat increase and a building warmth in my chest.
And her children, Mother—” With a sniff, her voice wavered. When she was not around, they were terrible. They refused to pay attention. They tossed toys at me as well as at each other! And they simply laughed and said, “Mom says we do not have to,” when I tried to make them finish their summer reading.” She furiously wiped her eyes. “I really tried my hardest. I took care of everything and arrived on time every day. She simply grinned as though it were a joke. As if it were unimportant.”
“Oh, my dear,” I replied, drawing her near. Even though she was fifteen and was making a lot of effort to grow up, she still felt like my little girl in that moment. “What was her debt to you?” “I babysat for four hours each day for five days… so that’s $220.” Lucy gave a sniff. “I was intending to use it for my desired art course.”
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