Chapter Eleven

Stacey

I can't believe they actually closed school today! I mean…I guess I believe it. After the amount of students in school yesterday plus another phone-call free meeting, I guess it's understandable. It seems like the whole town of Stoneybrook is down with the flu. Anyway, once I found out school was closed, I called Mrs. Hobart to see if she still wanted me to sit this afternoon…

Stacey was just as surprised as the rest of us when we woke up this morning to find that school had been closed. She was glad to have a day to herself but she had had a job scheduled for that afternoon for over a month with the Hobarts. The Hobarts have four kids. Ben is eleven, James is eight, Matthew is six and Johnny is four. All the Hobarts speak with an Australian accent. I think Mr. and Mrs. Hobart had an important meeting to attend in Stanford. So around ten o'clock, Stacey dialed the Hobart's number.

"Hello?" Mrs. Hobart answered.

"Hi, Mrs. Hobart? It's Stacey."

"Hi, Stacey. I was actually just about to call you."

"What can I do for you?" Stacey asked politely.

"I just wanted to ask you if you were still up for tonight's sitting job."

"I'm fine." Stacey answered.

"I'm glad you're well, dear. But I want to tell you that all four boys have come down with this flu bug. Now, I totally understand if you don't want to sit this evening."

"Thank you for letting me know. However, I'm fine baby-sitting tonight, even if the boys are sick."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Stacey's voice held more confidence that she actually felt. She was one of those at the meeting who had felt that the club shouldn't sit for sick children. However, Kristy had said we would and so that's what Stacey would do.

"Oh, thank you, Stacey. You're a lifesaver. I don't know what I would've done if my husband and I couldn't attend this meeting. We'll pay you extra, of course." Mrs. Hobart added.

"Thanks, but that's not necessary." Stacey said. "I just hope everyone gets better soon."

"That makes two of us."

"So I'll see you around three o'clock?" Stacey asked.

"That's perfect. Thanks Stacey."

"No problem. 'Bye."

"'Bye."

Stacey hung up the phone and shuffled off to take a shower. Before she knew it, it was 2:55 and Stacey was standing on the Hobart's door step, ringing the bell. She had stocked her Kid-Kit with books and games that could all be played in bed or on the couch. Mrs. Hobart answered the door.

"Hi Stacey. Come on in." she opened the door and Stacey walked it. She put her Kid-Kit on the ground and took off her coat. Mrs. Hobart took Stacey's coat and hung it up and then walked into the kitchen. Stacey followed her.

"I've written up a list of instructions for you." She said, indicating to a piece of paper on the table. Stacey glanced at it and then turned back to Mrs. Hobart, who was still talking.

"All four boys have been laid up with the flu for the past two days, so they're starting to be on the mend. Let's see…Ben and James are upstairs, Matthew is in the den and Johnny is in the rec room. At four o'clock, it's Ben's turn to get the TV in the rec room and Matthew gets the one in the den. At five, the TV's are off for the night."

Stacey nodded to show that she was following Mrs. Hobart's instructions.

"For supper, there's chicken strips and French-fries in the freezer. Just stick them in the oven for half an hour or so. After supper, there's some ice cream for dessert. After supper, all the boys should be in their rooms. They don't have to be in bed but they do need to be resting. Johnny needs a bath around seven and his bed time is seven thirty, Matthew's is at eight, James is at eight-thirty and Ben's is at nine. But Mr. Hobart and I should be home between eight-thirty and nine so don't worry about making sure Ben's in bed."

Mrs. Hobart paused and Stacey took a deep breath. This was a lot of information to absorb.

"Oh yes. When you put the boys to bed, they can each have some Children's Tylenol. I've written how much each boy can take. I think that's all…any questions, Stacey?"

Stacey thought for a moment.

"Just one."

Mrs. Hobart nodded and Stacey continued.

"Where do you keep your thermometer and things like that? Just in case."

Mrs. Hobart smiled.

"It's all out in the upstairs bathroom."

Stacey nodded.

"Okay. Then I think we're all set."

"Great. I posted my husband's cell number on the fridge. It's the only way you'll be able to reach us. However, I've told Mrs. Perkins what's going on and if you need any help, she's home all evening."

Stacey nodded and watched at Mrs. Hobart gathered her things, called good-bye to her boys and finally left. After the door closed, Stacey took another deep breath. She looked at the sheet of instructions and read them carefully. She then ventured into the den and found Matthew bundled in a blanket on the couch.

"Hey Matthew." She said. Matthew turned to look at her.

"Hi." He said, lifelessly.

"How're you doing?" Stacey asked. Matthew shrugged.

"That good?" Stacey asked and Matthew smiled and nodded.

"Do you need anything?" Stacey asked and Matthew shook his head.

"Okay. Call if you do." Stacey said as she left the den and made her way to the rec room, where she found Johnny, also bundled up in a blanket. However, Johnny was fast asleep. Stacey smiled and quietly clicked off the TV. She carefully lifted Johnny and carried him upstairs, where she tucked him into his bed. She then went and checked on Ben and Matthew. Ben was reading and James was napping.

Stacey stood at the top of the stairs and wondered what she should do. Finally, she decided to go join Matthew. She and Matthew watched in silence until it was four o'clock. She watched as Matthew headed upstairs and Ben and James, who had woken up from his nap, stumbled downstairs. She knew the boys must still be feeling pretty crummy because this all took place without any arguing. Again, Stacey joined James. She chose to let Ben be because Ben is at the point where he doesn't feel he needs baby-sitters anymore and Stacey respected that. She and James watched The Cosby Show until five. She watched in amazement as both boys, without being told, turned the TV's off and headed back upstairs. Obviously, there were getting accustomed to the "sick routine".

Shaking her head, Stacey went and got dinner ready. It took her four trips to carry the four trays upstairs. By the time Johnny had his dinner, Ben was done. Stacey waited until all four boys were done and then brought up four bowls of vanilla ice-cream and the toppings for ice cream sundaes. She let each boy make his own sundae and then went downstairs and began the dishes. Once she finished with the supper dishes, she left the sink with water in it and went to collect the ice cream dishes. She smiled as she found all four boys snoring softly. She quietly gathered their bowls and spoons and went downstairs. After washing them, she tidied up the den and rec room. By that time it was almost seven o'clock, so she went upstairs. She drew a bath for Johnny and then carried him to the bathroom. He was still groggy from his nap and Stacey felt terrible for waking him. She quickly gave him his bath, slipped him into clean pajamas and carried him back to his bed.

"I'll be right back, okay?" she said softly as she pulled the quilt up around Johnny again. Johnny nodded. Stacey ran downstairs and returned with the Children's Tylenol and the sheet of instructions. She gave Johnny his medicine. Just as she was about to leave the room, Matthew stirred (Johnny and Matthew share a room). She waited a moment to see if Matthew was awake.

"Stacey?" Matthew whispered. Stacey walked over to his bed.

"Hey." She said, smiling. "Did you have a good sleep?"

Matthew nodded and yawned.

"I think I'm gonna go back to sleep."

"Okay. But first…." Stacey held up the bottle of Tylenol. Matthew made a face but accepted the medicine. Stacey stood up and pulled up Matthew's quilt. She quietly left the room, making a mental note of what time Johnny and Matthew took their medicine. Stacey peeked in on James and Ben and found them still sleeping. She decided not to wake them and went downstairs. She jotted down what had happened on the piece of paper and then began reading her book. Every half-hour or so, she went up and checked on the boys and each time, they were all sleeping soundly.

Mr. and Mrs. Hobart arrived home at about eight-forty-five.

"Hello." Mrs. Hobart greeted Stacey. "How'd it go?"

Stacey filled her in and then Mrs. Hobart paid her. Stacey protested as Mrs. Hobart handed her a little extra but Mrs. Hobart pressed the bill into her hand.

"You've earned it, Stacey."

"Well, uh, thank you." Stacey said. Mrs. Hobart smiled and then Mr. Hobart drove her home.