Chapter Two: Can You Help Me?

I decided to use the phone in my room. But first I had to ask David what the number was. I got it, went back to my room and called.

Mrs. Goldener was none too happy with me. She said that she will however take up on the free babysitting if I would sincerely promise to show up. Of course I said I would, I mean what else am I supposed to say? But really, I will remember next time.

Before I had even turned around, I heard a voice speak to me.

"Susannah, I'm disappointed in you." Jesse, my one true love- although he doesn't know that- said from the window seat.

"Yeah, well, it was CeeCee's birthday, and I went to celebrate it at the beach with her and Adam. We kinda lost track in the time." I gave him a look almost anyone would have felt sorry for. And he smiled at me. Every time I see that adorable smile of his, I feel like wilting. Seriously.

Still smiling, with one of his dark black eyebrows up, Jesse said, "Well, at least you called them to tell them sorry, and you offered to baby-sit for free. But that isn't what I was talking about." He looked towards the back corner of my room, the one I couldn't see from the phone.

"Oh-no." There in that back corner, when the light doesn't reach, sat a person. And not a living person either. No, it was more like a dead person. Or to put it less confusingly; a ghost.

"Can you help me?" It was a girl. A little girl with a sweet voice, a voice that told me she was only three years old.

"What's wrong sweetie?"

"I need my dolly, my dolly with the pretty dress. The same dress that I have on now." Her voice was getting shrill and her soft blue eyes filled with tears.

"Okay sweetie. Do you know where you lived?" This was so sad. This little girl, no more than five was asking me of all people to get a doll. Poor little girl.

"I can show you." She said getting up.

"Lead the way." I said to the girl. I turned to Jesse. "You're staying here I take it?"

"On the contrary, Susannah, I am going with you." He said with that gorgeous smile of his, and how could I say no?

"Whatever, lets just go."

The little girl led us downstairs and towards the front door. We had almost made it when.

"Susannah! Where do you think you are going?" My mother yelled from the family room.

"Out for a walk." It wasn't a complete lie, I was going to be walking.

"Oh no you don't. We need to discuss your punishments in here." She said. I was about to say that we could talk later when she added, "Now!"

I looked over at Jesse. "Can you take her, please. I really can't afford to get in anymore trouble. Please take her." I was desperate, but really it would be better if Jesse went in to get the doll, her family wouldn't be able to see him, right?

"Don't worry about us Susannah, I'll gladly help her." And they left.

It wasn't long before they returned. I knew something was wrong too. The little girl had returned with Jesse. I would have talked to them too, if I weren't still being punished.

"Mom, I understand,I already called Mrs. Goldener and explained everything, and I'm going to baby-sit her kids for free too. So its not like I need to be punished anymore than that."

"You know, she's kind of right." Andy interrupted. "She called to apologize and will be sitting for them for free."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I can't punish her for not listening to me." My mom retorted.

"Well, can I at least go to bed now?" I was already slipping towards the stairs.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you are off the hook." And with that I scurried up the stairs preparing to handle my other problem.