"I've left emergency numbers on the fridge in case you need them," Mom babbled, her eyes roving over him in the instance that he'd sustained an injury in the time it took to go from his bedroom to the kitchen. "I also have the first aid kit in the upstairs bathroom, you know how to use it, right?"
"Yeah," He said, barely refraining from rolling his eyes.
"I've got the batteries in the flashlight charged in case the lights go out and there's extra batteries in the garage. I left money on the counter so you can get yourself some dinner or there's a pot of casserole in the fridge. Just heat it up for a minute. Just be careful not to burn your mouth-"
"Mom!" He whined.
Dad came up behind her, gently rubbing his thumbs into her shoulders. "It's one weekend, Rae. He'll be fine."
But she wasn't reassured. "What if something happens? What if you get sick?" She put her hand to his forehead, checking to see if there was a fever. His facial expression remained flat. "Are you cold? Are you nauseous? Does your stomach hurt? You know what, I'll just stay with you."
Charlie gave a look of long suffering to his dad. It practically screamed, please help.
"Rae," Dad said soothingly, "he's not a child. He can handle staying by himself."
"I'll be fine," Charlie added.
"Maybe I should have Mrs. Morgan stop by.."
"I don't need a babysitter," Charlie protested, scowling at the mere thought. "I'm almost eighteen."
"I know, honey," Mom softened. "But we've never left you alone like this before."
Dad decided they needed a proper date night which turned into a date weekend. It was Friday evening; they were going to leave, preferably at any second, then drive on down to someplace where they'd been before and do whatever married couples do-probably things that he didn't want to imagine them doing. At first, Mom was hesitant to go. Someone had always been in the house and if not, then they weren't gone long. He'd never, ever stayed in the house by himself before for more than an hour. Now he had the chance from this evening to Sunday evening. Mom had fretted the whole week and especially last night. She was a bit...overly prepared. He wouldn't put it past her to have some serious separation anxiety once they got on the road.
"I know," He said and then muttered under his breath, "you refused the other times."
"Can we get a move on it now?" Dad checked his watch.
"Just wait a second," Mom told him. Her gaze flickered back to Charlie. "Just answer a few questions."
A 'few', he mouthed to his Dad, finger quotes and all.
Dad gave a shrug as if to say, what can you do?
"What do you do if someone knocks on the door?" Mom said.
"Tell them I'm alone and open it if they offer ice cream," Charlie said automatically.
Dad chuckled.
"What do you do if the smoke alarm goes off?"
"Take a nap," Charlie said solemnly.
"And what if an animal gets inside?"
Charlie stared at her. "What?"
"Answer the question," She ordered.
"Teach it tricks."
She sighed heavily. "Charles David-"
He put his hands up. "Only joking."
Dad pointed down at his watch, looking pointedly at her. "I think you've interrogated the boy enough, Rae. Come on, let's go."
"I'll call you when we get there," She promised.
"Surprised you'd go that long," Charlie said dryly.
Dad winked. "I told her no phone calls during the drive."
She huffed. "You're both awful."
"I don't want you pestering him," Dad said shamelessly.
She smacked him with her purse. "I don't pester him!" She looked at Charlie. "Do I pester you?"
"Well-"
She didn't wait for his response. "I'm concerned, Peter. He's our little boy." Charlie grimaced. She did this weird thing like she was trying to communicate through a secret code. "Tell me if you want to stay with you, sweetie. I won't leave."
"I'm glad we never had to drop you off at Kindergarten," Dad sighed, causing Charlie to crack a grin.
Mom, seeing that she wasn't going to get anywhere, shifted the strap on her purse. "Alright, alright. We'll go."
"Hallelujah," Dad muttered.
"Is it okay if I-" Mom opened her arms.
He shrugged. "I guess..." He stiffened when she wrapped him in an embrace, kissing his temple.
"Be safe. We love you."
Dad gently gave him a side hug, repeating that I love you.
He could only nod in response.
/
They were gone. Actually gone. Charlie watched the car pull out of the driveway, maneuvering down the street until they ere out of sight. He remained there a second longer, just in case Mom came up with some ridiculous reason for them to come back. A minute passed by. He realized at that moment that they were successfully out of the house.
And he was alone.
He may not have been as experienced as some others his age, but he was smart enough to lock the front and back door as well as shutting the curtains. He slumped down on the couch after that, debating on what to do next. TV was always an option. He could order some pizza later, maybe dump that casserole down the garbage disposal. It was rare that he lied to his new parents but he just couldn't stomach that casserole again. It was just too disgusting to handle.
I wonder what Tanner's up to? He thought.
It was kind of strange. Stephanie was his first real friend-he was sure they'd bypassed the acquaintance stage, at least in her mind-and a girl. That meant he sometimes had to put up with her girly things.
Like when she was gushing about her relative's date night.
(And demanded to know why he didn't think it was cute. Why would he?)
Or hearing her go on and on about that guy from the mall.
She definitely did not understand that there were plenty of things he'd rather do than listen to her talk about other guys. He didn't even know why he let her do it in the first place. Probably because she was correct when she said he was too bored to hang up. But that was beside the point. He found it hard to believe that Tanner had been attracted to a guy with a piercing. He imagined she'd be drawn to a squeaky clean, geeky guy. If what she said was really true-maybe he misjudged her.
His cell phone rested in his hand. He deliberated on calling her, seeing what she was up to. Was that pathetic? They talked quite often, namely because he didn't have anyone else to talk to. He thought sooner or later, things would taper off or it'd become too awkward with them not having anything to really talk about. Imagine his surprise when that didn't happen.
He blew out a breath.
And pressed call.
"Oh, hey," She answered, sounding slightly out of breath.
"Did I take your breath away or something?" He teased her.
"Oh, shut up." He practically heard that eye roll.
"How's it going, babe?"
"Oh, just peachy," She said sarcastically.
"Well, don't worry. I'm here now. Consider yourself happy again."
"I don't think that's-" He heard a crash on the other end of the line. Something shattered. "Nicky! I told you no running!" She switched back to him, her tone had palpable irritation. "Remind me never to babysit again. I know they're my cousins and all, but they're making me want to throw them in oncoming traffic."
He stifled a laugh. "Don't go murdering children, Tanner. Prison would limit our these conversations I know you love so much."
She was not amused. "They're not listening to a word I say!"
"I don't blame them," He joked but that fell through when Stephanie continued to rant about her horrible night. Her uncle had asked her to babysit while he and his wife went on another date night and she was the only one home, as everyone else had plans. She'd agreed but was now regretting that decision once it became apparent that they weren't going to listen to her or any of the rules. "Have you tried calling your uncle?"
"He forgot his phone," Stephanie said. "I could probably call Aunt Becky but I don't want to disturb them. They haven't been able to have much alone time like they used to."
"And your Dad?"
"Out on another date," She said. "Pretty much everyone is. Well, except for Michelle, I think. I don't know what's going on with her."
He hummed. "Can't you just lock them in a room?"
"No," She scolded him and then added, "I don't want them tearing anything else up."
He snorted, then shifted in the chair. If he was guessing correctly, she sounded pretty stressed. It wasn't something he'd heard from her before. "Calm down, Tanner. You sound like you're gonna stroke out any minute."
She sighed. "I don't know what to do," She admitted. "This was easier when they were younger. They listened to me. Mostly. It wasn't as bad as this." She was quiet before bursting out with a suggestion. "Can you come over?"
He almost dropped the phone. "What?"
"Please?" She pleaded. "I need help."
"I don't know anything about kids, Stephanie."
It was definitely serious, considering that he was using her first name this time.
"You don't have to know anything," She said quickly. "Maybe they'll calm down if someone else is here."
He rubbed his face. This is what being friends with a girl got him, a one way ticket to babysitting. He'd never done this before. He didn't know how to act around them, how to talk-one thing was for sure, he wasn't going to talk in those annoying high pitch voices like other people did.
"What's in it for me?"
"A chance to spend time with me?" She tried. "You'd be helpful?"
"Yeah, you need something better than that," He told her as he grabbed his keys.
"Well, I don't know."
"I've got something," a smirk came onto his lips.
"Yeah?"
"You'll see. Oh, and are you hungry? I'll bring pizza."
"Yeah," She said. "That sounds good."
He shook his head, hearing the two boys make more noise in the background. He wondered what he was getting himself into.
/
"Oh, wow. Thanks," Stephanie said when she opened the door and saw the pizza. She started to reach for it but he pulled it away from her.
"Ah, wait a second."
She raised her brow.
"Tell me how amazing I am."
"I thought I didn't have to compliment you unless I lost the bet?" She said.
"This doesn't have anything to do with it," he grinned. "But you could consider it practice."
He made a face when she flicked him on the forehead.
"You're amazing...for a jerk."
He shut the door behind him. "You're lucky I tolerate you."
"I think I should be saying that to you."
He sat down the two pizzas on the kitchen table. She gave him a gracious smile. "How much do I owe you?"
"Nothing," he shrugged. "My parents left me money. They're out of town for the weekend."
"Oh," She said. "You're sure...?"
"Yes, Tanner," he rolled his eyes. He sat down in the chair. "You can get me a drink."
"Get it yourself," She scoffed, passing by to call her cousins to come downstairs.
"Good host you are, babe."
She walked back over, shrugging. "Guess they're not coming down." He slid one of the boxes over to her. She opened it and glanced back at him, surprised. "You got me Hawaiian? How did you-"
"You mentioned it once," He said. "You were working."
"Thanks!" She was beaming.
He shrugged it off.
"I think I'm gonna give that cashier guy my number next time," Stephanie said and then took a hearty bite of her pizza.
"I gave you five minutes. I don't want to hear it," he scowled.
"Oh, yeah?" She stalked closer. "You don't wanna hear how dreamy he is or how snug his uniform is on him?"
He put his hands over his ears, "I'm not listening. I'm definitely not listening!"
"You're such a child.
"Still not listening!"
The door to the kitchen flopped open; Stephanie's cousins peered in curiously, brightening up at the sight of the pizza.
"Charlie!"
"You got pizza!"
"Can we have some? Please?"
"Please?"
"Oh, now they have manners," Stephanie muttered from beside him.
"Sure," he said and they cheered, "but-" They stopped, looking slightly less enthusiastic than they were a second ago, "you two have to apologize to Stephanie."
They glanced at each other, sheepish.
"Sorry, Stephanie."
"Yeah, we're really sorry."
To their credit, they did look remorseful.
"It's okay," Stephanie sighed fondly. "But when you're done, you have to clean up the mess you made upstairs."
"Then can Charlie play with us?" One of them asked excitedly.
Stephanie was startled by the request. "Oh, I don't know."
"Please?" the other begged.
He was surprised, too. "Uh, I guess."
They cheered.
"You don't have to," Stephanie spoke over them. "It's fine."
"I don't mind," he said and truthfully, he didn't. He just wasn't expecting it.
They didn't say much while they ate. The only noise that was heard throughout the kitchen was from her cousins. He felt a soft kick against his shoe. When his eyes flickered over to Stephanie, she stared straight ahead with an impassive expression.
Oh, two could play at that game.
He hit her foot, this time.
He smiled innocently when she gave him a look.
That was how their game of footsies started. She kicked hard so he kicked her harder. Before long, they were both laughing and attempting to shove each other off their respective chairs. Charlie was close a few times; he didn't put all his strength into it but it was hard enough that she needed to grasp the edge of the table to keep hair from falling over. Hers was much weaker. It was barely much of a push at all.
"That's gross," Stephanie declared, her nose wrinkling at the sight of his supreme pizza.
"Yours is gross."
"No way," She said.
"Have you ever tried this?"
"No," She said.
He tore off a piece from his own slice and placed it down next to her slice.
"Fine," She said after a moment of silence. She gave him a piece of hers.
They made eye contact.
"Pineapple, really?" He complained.
"It's good."
"It's sickening."
"You're so dramatic."
"I know you are but what am I?"
She snorted, shaking her head. "You're forever five years old."
"Do I have to eat it?" He said, purposefully sounding whiny.
"If I have to eat-" She pointed to the torn off piece, "this, then you have to eat that."
"Fine..."
They both ate it, grimacing and glancing at each other.
"Eww."
"That was awful!" Stephanie exclaimed.
"Yours was worse!"
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Was not!"
/
"Come on," Nicky grabbed him by the hand, yanking him-or as much as the kid thought he was-forward.
Stephanie had once again assured him that he didn't have to play with them but Charlie just waved it off. Alright, so he'd never actually played with a little kid before but it couldn't have been difficult. At that moment, her phone had buzzed and she found out it was her boss calling her. He could tell even before she said it; she was scowling and looking like she wanted to throw her phone at the nearest wall. With hesitance, she said she would take the call outside and he'd nodded.
Right now, Charlie was being taken out of the kitchen and into the living room where Nicky and Alex had set up a fort using sheets, blankets and a couple chairs. This was one instance where he was thankful for being shorter than most guys his age; he didn't have to struggle too much to get under there. Alex was already sitting underneath, beaming when Charlie came into view.
"This is gonna be great!" The kid was bouncing.
He wasn't used to people being excited with him being around.
"Hold out your hands," Alex instructed.
He did so, unsure of where this was heading.
Nicky did a poor attempt at a knot on his wrists with a pillow case. Charlie observed it. "Needs to be a little tighter."
Nicky pulled on it as hard as he could. "Like this?"
"Yeah, that's better," he said. "So what's this for?"
"You're our prisoner!" Alex told him cheerfully.
"Yeah?" He was amused.
"And prisoners have to be quiet," Alex scolded him.
"And branded," Nicky held up a red marker. Charlie eyed it warily. It wasn't permanent. He scrunched up his face when he felt the marker dig into the side of his face.
"Ow! Geeze, kid. Watch it."
"Sorry," Nicky snickered in a way that suggested the opposite. He studied Charlie for a second or two. "You don't have hair here-" His finger brushed against Charlie's face, which was an itchy feeling that he grimaced at.
"No kidding," Charlie deadpanned.
Why did kids always have to point out the obvious? He was aware of the lack of facial hair, thank you very much.
"Stephanie likes facial hair," Alex told him. "She says it's sexy."
Oh, his grin was wide now. "She does?" He said slyly.
Nicky nodded, oblivious to his thoughts. "That's what she told her friend."
Oh, this was just getting better and better.
"Maybe...maybe if you grow some, Stephanie will like you!" Alex said excitedly.
For a moment, he stared at the child. Unbelievable. Even the little kids were trying to get them together.
"I don't think so."
They were visibly disappointed.
"But why?" Nicky wanted to know.
"We don't like each other like that."
"Yes, you do," Alex insisted. "You act like Mom and Dad when they're being gross."
"No, we don't," Charlie thought that was absurd.
"Yeah, you do," Nicky rolled his eyes. "We're not dumb, you know."
"Yeah," Alex added, "We know stuff."
Nicky got behind Charlie, throwing an arm around him. "Charlie's my prisoner now."
"How come he gets to be yours?" Alex glared at his brother.
"Because," Nicky said, "I want him to be." He brandished a stick that he had obviously gotten from the backyard. "You gotta fight me to free him!"
Alex straightened up his posture, eyes flashing at the challenge.
"And if you don't I'll-" Nicky deliberated on that, his humming Charlie could hear from behind his ear. Then, confident with his choice, he said, "Or I'll kill him!"
Charlie made his voice sound as dramatic as possible. "Oh, no. Not that!"
"Yes," Nicky nodded seriously, "that."
"Charge!" Alex hollered.
The two boys wacked their stocks together in a continuous motion. Charlie had to duck Charlie had to duck a couple of times to avoid being hit. The boys made noises, yelling at each other. The uncertainty of the situation slowly faded away. He could even admit that he was having fun watching them and playing along whenever they turned their attention back onto him. He eventually decided to 'free' himself from his bonds, then swiftly scooping up Nicky in his arms, turning him over upside down, with Charlie's arms holding him around the abdomen. He boy had squeaked in surprise and was currently trying to wave his arms around, urging his brother to help him. But Alex was too busy laughing at his predicament.
"You-are-a-horrible-prison-overseer!" Charlie alternated between messing up the boy's hair and tickling his stomach, causing a steady stream of laughter to rush past his lips. You didn't even offer me any food or water!"
Nicky was squirming so bad that Charlie had to tighten his grip or else he risked dropping him. "I'm supposed to be mean!" He giggled.
"Supposed to?" Charlie feigned shock. He flashed a grin at Alex. "I think he needs to be taught a lesson."
"Yeah, yeah!" Alex jumped up.
He didn't notice that Stephanie was watching them with a smile on her face.
/
"Thanks for coming," Stephanie told him as he was half in and out of the house.
He shrugged. "No problem."
"Nicky and Alex really liked having you here."
"Well, what can I say? I'm a better babysitter," he bragged.
She laughed. "You just might be."
"I wouldn't mind helping again," he watched as surprise came across her face. "I know how much help you need."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that's it." She called over her shoulder, "Charlie's leaving!"
They were met with protests.
"Do you have to?" Nicky looked up at him with big blue eyes.
"Can't you stay longer?" Alex pleaded. "Please?"
He bent down to their height. "I can't," he said gently. "I really do need to go. But I told Stephanie I wouldn't mind coming again, as long as she and your parents don't mind."
"I don't care if Aunt Becky and Uncle Jesse are fine with it," Stephanie told them.
"And as long as you don't cause any more trouble for your cousin," Charlie smirked. Then he considered. "Well, cause a little trouble."
Stephanie snorted.
Nicky and Alex gave him hugs, after that they yelled out bye Charlie in unison before they darted upstairs. It left him and Stephanie alone.
"I think they like you more than me," She said wryly.
"And you're surprised?" He snickered when she lightly swatted him.
"Pest."
He leaned against the doorway. "I found out something about you."
"Yeah?" She didn't appear too interested.
Yet.
"I know why you don't think I'm handsome," He said smugly.
"By all means, tell me," She gestured.
"Because I don't have facial hair."
The comment didn't register with her. She stared perplexedly at him. He was already on his way out the door when he finished with,
"I mean, you think it's sexy on a guy, don't you?"
Even with the door closed, he could clear as day hear her shout Nicky! Alex!
He didn't even stifle his laughter this time.