Sorry for writing such a short chapter. I just wanted to put in a filler at the moment.
"Remember that she's very shy. She won't talk much but she'll find something to do by herself. She also loves vanilla ice cream and mayo, but not together." Eve shoves a bunch of napkins into her red bag, which is already filled to the brim. Why did I volunteer to baby sit after a romantic encounter? "You have all the emergency numbers and Ronald will come back at nine."
Wringing out my newly washed hair, which still has the lingering scent of lemonade, I stare at the sullen ten-year old girl twisting her braids anxiously. Her body is slumped and her face is sunken with despair. She's a beautiful child though; like an innocent child in a painting but a constantly crying child.
"Eve… what should I do? I can't ignore her for two hours."
"Hmm, maybe a movie? We have Beauty and the Beast and Snow White. All you really have to do is feed her and make sure she doesn't get hurt."
"I guess so but it's too awkward. I don't want Meryl to feel unwelcome."
"Sorry, I got to go. Dan's waiting." A couple of honks from outside help emphasize her point. Eve steps back and I swear that she's glowing. "How do I look?"
"Don't you already know? You're gorgeous and so is that little fella inside of you."
"Fella? Who said that my baby's a boy?" Her head whips up sharply, her eyes narrow into a glare.
"I don't know. I just assumed."
"I'll see you later."
"Have fun."
Fifteen minutes in and neither of us have said a word. The only noises being made are chewing sounds as Meryl and I eat our tomato sandwiches. The sandwiches Eve made are delicious; the tomato is bright red and ripe, there's a good amount of pepper, bread is toasted and the mayo is deliciously creamy. Silently, I watch Meryl add more and more mayo even going as far as to dip her French fries in them. Her strawberry milkshake has been nearly emptied out and her fries are decimated. For a tiny girl she eats fast and well.
"So, Meryl what do you want to do? We have some Disney movies or we could play Monopoly. Or you can take a nap if you really want to."
The only response I get from Meryl is her semi-disgusted semi-confused expression. After she gives me the look, she resumes her mouse like chewing. The silence is creeping up on me like a nimble spider and my body shifts uncomfortably. There must be something to fill in this stillness. Spying Uncle Duke's old record player, I saunter over to it casually and browse through the records. Mainly Elvis and Sinatra, I dig up an old Gene Kelly record, Singing in the Rain. Gene's smooth voice croons happily and rocking to the beat, I dance a bit. Like a sweet songbird, a small, trilling voice sings out behind me. Shocked, I hesitantly turn back to see young Meryl singing her heart out. She seems to completely lose her inhibitions and twirls around a couple of times. The music has completely hypnotized her or has possessed her.
"Eep!" When the music comes to a stop and starts skipping, Meryl finally notices me and squeaks nervously.
"That was beautiful, Meryl. Do you want to listen to another song? We also have Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Judy Garland. Take your pick."
Her lips opened up and Meryl murmured, "Judy, please."
"Of course, who doesn't love Dorothy?" I insert the new record and that's how Meryl and I spent the rest of the evening. Just singing and dancing around which is fine with me. When I trip on my own, we both laugh hysterically and I begin to wonder if Eve drugged our food. At nine, Meryl is so burned out and sleepy I wrap her in a blanket and let Ronald take care of her.
"Bye, and tell Meryl if she wants I can baby sit her again." I call out as Ronald puts her in the back seat of his car.
"Bye!" Surprised, I do a double take and see Meryl pop her head out of the car while waving at me.
"I don't know what you did with her but it's great. She's family, so thank you." Ronald takes my hand, making me think he's going to shake it, but he pulls me into a huge hug. Instinctively, I try to push him away nevertheless his grip tightens. He thanks me again and gives me some money. Then, he hands me a bottle and my body tenses up immediately. It's wine. "Here you go, Rebecca. Courtesy of Paradise Orchard, it's a one year wine so you might want to wait. Have a good night."
Watching Ronald's car pull out the drive way, I feel like the grim reaper just left me a death threat and my fingers are coiled so tightly over the bottle it feels like it's going to break. Deep breaths Rebecca deep breaths. Dr. Smith said that this would happen eventually. All you have to do is put the bottle down on the table and go to sleep. Although, I have been good and what harm is one drink going to do? No, Eve is right I'm not ready for this. Using all of my will power, I set the bottle down on the coffee table and walk away. Score one for Rebecca nil for her alcoholism. There's hope for me yet.