"Ugh, somebody please turn off the sun," Molly mumbled angrily as the bright sun awakened her from sleep the next morning. She was reluctant but got out of bed to look out the window; last nights storm seemed to have subsided, but a colony of clouds seemed to be hanging around, "might get a sprinkle later," Molly said to herself as she closed the blinds and looked over to see Bonnie was still sleeping. "Sleep tight Bon," Molly added as she headed out the door for her morning routine.
"This babysitting thing isn't as bad as you hear," Molly noted to herself in the shower, "I could use a summer job; maybe I could ask Mrs. Anderson if she'll need anyone to watch Bonnie." Suddenly, Molly's thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. "Boy, they aren't kidding when they say deliveries always come when you're in the shower," she said but decided to ignore it before the bell rung a second time. "Oh all right, I'm coming," she called out stepping out of the shower and looking around before spotting Mrs. Anderson's bathrobe, "I'm sure she won't mind it'll only be for a minute anyway," she reasoned as she slipped the oversized robe on just as the doorbell went off again "I'm coming," she shouted. "People are sleeping in here you know," she angrily noted when she opened the door, but once the tween saw who was there, she froze up in surprise. Standing there was Tracy, and Molly's other two (again for the better word) friends Hazel and Jenna all three of them snickering, and all three of them had overnight bags slung over there shoulders.
"Nice look Molls, does the brat already have you playing dress up?" Tracy asked giggling.
"I was taking a shower," Molly explained quietly, she changed her tone to a more demanding and spoke once more, "what are you guys doing here?"
"Well, we decided what better way to spend our spring break then nurturing a young life, so we came to help you," Jenna announced in a carrying voice.
"Mrs. Anderson already left," Molly clarified.
"Oh, she did?" asked Jenna.
"Then how are we going to get paid?" Hazel inquired.
"We'll just split what Molly's making," Tracy decided as she walked uninvited into the house Hazel and Jenna following close behind.
"Um, sure, I'll split my earnings," Molly spoke to her feet. Jenna, Tracy, and Hazel were the most popular girls at school and because Molly had done various favors for them they had, in a way, accepted her as a fourth member but they were always making fun of people; Molly in particular, "still that's the price you pay for being cool," Molly had often told herself.
Molly lost no time in calling Mrs. Andreson and telling her the situation. "So it's okay if they stay, right?" asked Molly sheepishly.
"Well, I'll allow it, but I wish someone would have asked me," Mrs. Anderson clarified.
"You and me both Mrs. A, thanks, I'll let you go now," Molly hurriedly spoke hanging up so Mrs. Anderson could get to her seminar. "Well, she said you guys could stay," said Molly.
"Great, where are we bunking?" Tracy inquired.
"I'll show you in a minute, but first, how did you guys know where Bonnie and Mrs. Anderson live?" asked Molly.
"We asked your mom, and she told us," Jenna explained.
"Oh, okay, well, follow me," Molly led them to the guest room and upon entering Molly noticed that Bonnie had migrated further down the bed and was now entirely covered by the sheets. "Well guys, make your selves comfortable but be quiet," whispered Molly as she pointed where Bonnie was sleeping and then walked off to finish her shower.
"Why do you hang out with those girls anyway?" asked the gentle voice in her head as she showered.
"Because they're cool," Molly replied.
"Exactly," the stern voice agreed.
"Do you even like them?" inquired the gentle voice.
"Of course," said Molly and the stern voice simultaneously.
"They let me in with the cool kids," replied Molly.
"After you let them copy your homework every night, and gave them the lions share of your allowance, and pulled that prank on the principal that got you suspended," reminded the gentle voice.
"They came here to help me," Molly argued.
"Uninvited and for the money," the gentle voice nagged.
"Well, they're here," Molly decided as she stepped out of the shower.
Molly returned to the guest room (now fully clothed) and found to her surprise Bonnie surrounded and boxed in by Tracy, Jenna, and Hazel.
"Now listen here squirt we got a few ground rules to cover," Tracy spoke in a commanding voice as she grabbed Bonnie who by now was looking terrified.
"You be careful, Tracy or you'll scare the poor thing," Jenna lectured as she began pinching Bonnie's cheeks.
"She's not that scared," Hazel corrected as she began repeatedly poking Bonnie in the stomach.
Molly didn't know what to do, at this point she knew Bonnie was timid around new people and that this must be traumatizing for her. However, something in her was keeping her from telling her friends to stop. "Just say it," Molly thought to herself as she watched Bonnie squirm in a desperate attempt to escape looking like an animal with a paw caught in a bear trap, "say it now, say 'stop' right now!" she thought to her self, but the words wouldn't form.
It broke Molly's heart to see Bonnie so scared; she watched as tears formed in Bonnie's eyes, suddenly Bonnie looked down at herself and cried out "oops." Molly watched as a dark spot was growing on Bonnie's lower pajamas.
When the trio of girls realized what had happened things quickly took a turn for the worse, "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" they all cried in unison and dropped Bonnie immediately in disgust who ran to Molly for protection.
Molly looked at Bonnie and spoke to the toddler, "come on, Bon, let's get you cleaned up." Molly guided an embarrassed and shameful Bonnie into the bathroom and helped the child out of her pajamas.
"I sorry," said Bonnie apologetically.
"No, no Bonnie nothing is wrong accidents happen," Molly told her charge reasonably.
"Are they your friends?" asked Bonnie.
"Yes, they came to meet you," Molly lied perhaps in more ways than one as she grabbed a wad of toilet paper to clean Bonnie.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" inquired Molly.
"No, just a little embarrassed," said Bonnie.
"Oh Bon, don't worry accidents happen," Molly repeated as she finished up, "now why don't you brush your teeth and get dressed while I get breakfast on the table," she offered.
"Okay," Bonnie decided as she stood up on the stool to the sink.
"Atta girl," remarked Molly as she headed for the kitchen.
"Now, what to make?" Molly asked herself as she looked through the fridge. When Molly heard the bathroom door open, she called, "Hey Bon, what would you like?" questioned Molly.
"Fruity O'S," Bonnie responded as she went to her room to get dressed.
"Bon?" came Tracy's voice as she stepped into the room.
"Yeah, that's my little nickname for her," Molly explained as she prepared Bonnie's cereal.
"Why?" asked Tracy.
"Well you know like a bonbon, I figure its cool because it's not only like her name but because well she's small, sweet, and sugar-filled," said Molly laughing, Tracy however, did not even smile.
"No, I mean, why would you give her a nickname?" she almost demanded.
"Cause she's a good kid why?" asked Molly.
"Well, I just mean your only going to know her one week," Tracy reasoned.
"Well, I don't know about that, I mean the job pays well, and Bonnie is very sweet, I might ask Mrs. Anderson if we can make this a regular thing," replied Molly.
"Okay, that's it; you need some mall time now!" Tracy declared loudly.
"Okay, why?" asked Molly.
"Because you... you're talking about volunteering for work," Tracy spoke as though the idea was insane as she looked around, "Now where did she stash your pay?" Tracy asked.
"On the counter but Tracy, what about Bonnie?" Molly confusedly asked as Tracy grabbed the wad of cash of the counter and began counting.
"What about her?" asked Tracy, never taking her eyes off the money.
"Tracy, I can't leave her alone!" Molly shouted.
Tracy looked at Molly for a moment as though expecting the tween to back down but Molly stood her ground. "Fine, so we'll just take her along," said Tracy looking a little annoyed. Molly glanced over at the clock at 9:30 am.
"Okay, I'll ask Bonnie if she wants to go to the mall when she comes out for her cereal," Molly told Tracy as she opened the fridge to put away the milk when suddenly Tracy slammed it shut.
"No, Molly, you'll tell that kid that we are going to the mall," Tracy corrected as she left for the guest room.
As Molly and Bonnie sat down to breakfast, the tween wondered how to approach the subject of the mall. "Look, Molly, an alien, is swimming in my cereal," Bonnie cheerfully spoke. Molly looked up from her pop tart and glanced across the kitchen table to see Bonnie attempting to fish a cereal prize out of the bowl with her bare hands and couldn't help but smile.
"Let me help you there, Bon," Molly offered as she picked up Bonnie's spoon and used it to catch the toy. "Here you go Bon," Molly said in triumph as she dried off the plastic wrapped pink stretch alien with her napkin and handed it to Bonnie who took it and eagerly ripped off the plastic wrap to admire her new toy. "What are you gonna call her?" asked Molly, smiling.
Bonnie thought for a moment before responding, "Lynn."
"Lynn, why?" Molly curiously inquired.
"it's short for Elastic-Lynn" Bonnie replied as she began testing the capabilities of her new toy.
"You know Bonnie, Lynn was probably in that cereal box for a long time I'm sure she would love to get out and see the sun," Molly suggested.
Bonnie looked into the empty cereal box and responded, "it is dark in here; I bet she would."
"How about we spend the day at the mall?" Molly suggested.
"I don't know," Bonnie nervously responded, "I've never been to the mall without mommy before."
"Oh, don't worry Bon, it'll be fun we'll see a movie, buy some clothes, and have a great time," Molly promised. Bonnie, however, looked unconvinced. "And maybe" Molly continued "if she knows she belongs to a good little girl, Lynn might just invite a toy friend to come to live with her."
Bonnie looked over at Molly, "sounds like fun," she said, accepting the bribe.
"Ok Bonnie, you go get ready while I clean up," Molly spoke as she picked up the dishes while Bonnie zoomed off to her room.
Molly, who thought Mrs. Anderson might call while they were out she left a message with the hotel so as not to panic her. When the time came to go, Molly decided to get Bonnie from her room.
"Bonnie?" Molly called as she knocked on the child's door.
"Come in," came Bonnie's voice. Molly opened the door to find Bonnie trying to fit all her toys in her backpack comfortably.
"Bonnie," Molly began chuckling, "I don't think you can fit all your toys in your backpack."
"Well, how many can I bring?" Bonnie asked curiously.
"You can bring three toys other than Lynn," Molly responded.
"Okay," Bonnie accepted as she looked over her toys, trying to decide which to take.
"I'll be right back for you," Molly told her charge as she made her way to the guest room.
"What took you so long," asked Tracy as she split Molly's babysitting money into parts keeping most for herself and stiffing Molly the most.
"Had to make sure Bon was getting ready, good thing I was she was trying to stuff her entire toy chest fill in her backpack," Molly noted as she grabbed her purse chuckling.
"You're getting too attached to that girl," Hazel told Molly.
"It's not good for our image," Jenna added.
"Guy's, I'm babysitting her and enjoying it calm down," said Molly reasonably.
Tracy, however, had a different point a view, "Molly the bottom line is we do not want people thinking we spend our free time playing with preschooler's!" Tracy responded, annoyed.
"Guys, my free time is my choice, and if I want to take on a babysitting job, it's none of your business!" Molly spoke, losing her temper and realizing this was the first time she had ever talked back to Tracy and the others.
No one spoke on the bus to the mall; Molly felt guilty for what she said to her friends and Bonnie most likely out of fear this being her first time on a bus only sat next to Molly and clutched onto her chosen toys (Woody, Buzz, and Dolly) like life preservers. Meanwhile, Tracy, Hazel, and Jenna were sitting in the very back of the bus, not even looking at Molly.
"local mall," the bus driver announced.
"Hopefully this will remind you what's important," Tracy whispered to Molly with Jenna and Hazel nodding in agreement as they walked to the bus doors. Molly held out her hand for Bonnie, who after placing her toys in her backpack, took it slowly, and the two caught up with the others.
"I hear that Glamour is having super spring sale today," Tracy as the tweens walked through the mall.
"Oh, my cousin works there, maybe she can get us an extra discount," said Jenna.
"That store is usually costly I wonder how much we'll be able to..." Molly began before she paused, noticing Bonnie was no longer holding her hand, she looked around in panic for a moment before seeing Bonnie looking in through a shop window.
"You guys go ahead, I'll get Bonnie and catch up," Molly spoke in relief as she walked over to her charge. "Bonnie, you are supposed to stay with me at all times," said Molly trying to sound like an authority figure.
"Sorry, Molly," Bonnie responded giggling. Molly looked into the shop window and saw it was a pet shop and that Bonnie was watching as a puppy dog mimicked the movements of her hand.
Molly watched for a minute while Bonnie played with the dog but looking over she saw her friends outside Glamour all with 'get over here' looks on their faces. "Okay, Bonnie fun is over say goodbye to the puppy," Molly giggled.
Bonnie took her hand to be led away, saying, "bye puppy."
The tweens charged into Glamour like hunters into a safari; going at clothes like a lion to pray. For a while, Molly did seem to forget about Bonnie whom she had left in a sitting area nearby. Molly picked up clothes like the others, and when Tracy demanded a skirt, she'd had her eye on, Molly gave it her right away. All the while, time marched on.
However, each time Molly looked over at Bonnie again sitting in one of the store's row chairs with the people next to her squeezing her into the side, Molly felt terrible. Bonnie looked too squished to play, so she seemed extraordinarily bored and uncomfortable.
"Molly, will you stop worrying about her!" Tracy demanded, this being the twentieth or so time, Tracy had caught her looking over at Bonnie.
"But Tracy, take a look at her; she looks so miserable, couldn't we please break for lunch at least?" Molly asked nervously.
"Fine," Tracy spoke annoyed as she gathered her choices and went to the cash register "I'll find Hazel and Jenna you get the kid" she finished.
Molly walked over to Bonnie, "come on Bon time for lunch." Bonnie, looking relieved, squeezed herself out and followed Molly to the cash register.
"I don't know about you guys, but I am malled out," said Hazel as she sunk into her food court chair.
"Tell me about it," Jenna agreed, taking a sip from her soda.
"I know I think it's time to head back," admitted Tracy.
"Wait, guys, before we go, we have to go to the toy store," Molly explained. All three girls looked at her like she was crazy. "Come on guys, I promised Bonnie a new toy," Molly admitted.
"Just get her a gumball or something," Tracy told Molly.
"It will only take a minute, and I promised," Molly responded.
"Fine, get the brat, and we'll get her a toy, but we are not going in," Tracy responded.
"First of all; I have to go in with her, and second of all please don't call her that," said Molly as she got up from her seat and walked over to the foodcourts ball pit. "Bonnie come on up," Molly called into the ball pit. Molly thought she heard a giggle from the ball pit, "Bonnie come on; we have to go." Suddenly, Molly got an idea, "Okay Bonnie, have it your way have fun I'll just tell your mom you decided to move into the mall's ball pit, maybe I'll see you again someday." Molly called as she began walking in place making her footsteps lighter with each false step the took (a technique she had mastered sneaking into Andy's room to reclaim Bo Peep) she then kneeled below the netting surrounding the ball pit and next to the exit flap.
Bonnie immediately surfaced, looking worried, "Molly?" she called out running to the exit flap.
Bonnie stepped out of the ball pit, and the awaiting Molly pulled her into a hug, "Gotchya!" Molly proclaimed as Bonnie burst out laughing. "Come on, Bon," said Molly as she placed Bonnie on the floor, "we still have to get you a new toy, then we're heading home."
As they walked through the mall, Molly kept leading Bonnie to the toy store. However, Bonnie began pulling toward a different store a flea market in fact.
"No way, Molly, we cannot allow ourselves to be seen in a flea market." Tracy put her foot down. "No, no, not happening, no this is where I draw the line," Tracy crossed her arms. However, when Bonnie was able to wrench free of Molly's grip, she ran into the store.
"Well, now we don't have a choice," Molly pointed out as she ran into the store with her friends reluctantly following.
Molly looked over in panic as her head quickly filled with several horrible situations Bonnie could be in right now. "Okay, if we split up, we might be able to find her before she gets hurt," said Molly looking over at her friends only to find they had already seen the clothing section.
"This is cute, who would throw this away?" asked Tracy as she looked over a top.
Molly shook her head and ran around the store looking for Bonnie; she found the toddler looking over a collection of old dust-covered antique toys. "I guess I should have known," Molly smiled to herself as her heart rate returned to normal.
"Hi Molly," said Bonnie cheerfully.
"Bonnie, what did I say about staying next to me?" Molly asked.
"You said to stay where you could see me at all times," blurted Bonnie. realizing what she had done, Bonnie gave Molly a sheepish smile, "sorry," she apologized.
"Bon, this is the second time you were out of my sight today," Molly lectured "you could have been hurt or could've gotten lost."
"I'm sorry, Molly, I just wanted to see what was in here; I've never been in here before," said Bonnie quietly.
"It's okay Bonnie," Molly clarified, "I'm sorry if I sound mad, but it's just that I care about you," Molly added as she stroked Bonnie's hair. "Now lets put this behind us and find you a new toy."
"Okay," said Bonnie excitedly, she paused before adding, "Molly, I am sorry."
"It's ok now let's find you a toy," Molly responded.
together the two looked all over the store, they found a few toys that Bonnie would like, but they were all too expensive or damaged.
Molly was about ready to give up when Bonnie cried out, "did you hear that, Molly?" Molly looked over to where she was pointing but saw only a trash bin.
"What about it?" asked Molly. Bonnie, however, was walking toward it and before Molly could stop her began digging through it. "Bonnie, please don't dig through the trash who know what's in..." Molly started to say before she heard an almost familiar squeak.
"Look what I found, Molly," Bonnie happily proclaimed as she proudly returned with a squeak toy penguin.
"Hey, stay out of the trash you'll get mice in my store!" the manager yelled as he turned around the corner.
"Sorry," said Bonnie as she ran behind Molly for protection. "Why are you throwing away this toy?"
"It's been here too long, and no one's bought it we got to make room," the manager responded. Bonnie smiled as she looked down at the toy which she squeaked, making her giggle.
"I want his one Molly," decided Bonnie.
"One dollar," the manager proclaimed.
"One dollar? you were going to throw it away!" Molly protested.
"Supply and demand kid pay the cashier on the way out," the manager explained as he walked away.
Molly and Bonnie walked up to the cashier to find Tracy, Jenna, and Hazel there waiting Tracy was holding a bag. "Oh good, you found her," said Tracy.
"Yeah, did you buy that top?" asked Molly.
"No, I had to get my sister something for her birthday next week," Tracy explained.
"You know Bonnie, Andy had a toy just like this he called him Wheezy," said Molly as she sat with Bonnie on the bus.
"Then that's what I'll call him," Bonnie decided as she squeaked Wheezy once again.