The Last Babysitter
Randy forced himself not to smile as he walked to the car where his wife and the Pickles were waiting. "I'm sorry guys, that was Gary. He got really hurt and he can't babysit tonight."
"Oh dear!" Didi said. "I hope he's okay."
"What are we going to do now?!" Stu complained. "We can't leave the kids alone!"
"Well we can't call Chas, him and Chuckie are at that full contact Football League. And Betty and Howard are at the poetry slam…" Didi trailed off. "Actually I think I have those two mixed up."
"What about Stu's father?"
Stu shook his head. "No dice. Him and some old buddies are out sharing war stories with some gal they met years ago..."
~Meanwhile~
"Didn't I tell ya that hanging out with us was better than buggin' those tourists?" Lou asked a stringy haired pale woman in a white dress who was sitting with him and his buddies in the bar.
"Yes, you are right Lou-chan," Yayako rasped. She cleaned her throat and in a softer voice said, "Having a lot more fun with you guys."
Lou's friend Bill nodded. "And don't worry, we'll talk to the police about those squatters setting up in your house."
"I appreciate it. More margaritas?" Lou nodded and the woman reverse crab walked over to the bar.
~MC~MC~MC~
"I'll stay," Randy said. Stu opened his mouth to protest but Randy cut him off. "Stu, it's fine. I write for the Dummi Bears every day… going to a rock opera isn't a relaxing time for me. It just reminds me of work. It would be like you having a date night that involved you cleaning tools used to make toys."
Stu blinked at that, seeing his point. "Right… sorry Randy, I didn't think of how it would be for you."
He waved him off. "Its fine. You three have fun and I'll take care of the kids."
Lucy nodded. "And maybe next time Stu can babysit and Randy can go to something he wants to do."
"There is a new movie coming out about the history of chess…"
Didi beamed at that. "Oh, I heard about that! It is supposed to get real in depth. I told Stu we should go and-"
"Deal!" Stu said and within the span of five seconds the car had screeched out of the driveway.
"…I didn't even hear him turn it on," he muttered before walking back into his house to find Tommy and Susie staring up at him, confused. He smiled and lifted them both up. "Okay kids, looks like I'll be managing things tonight. Let's see about supper first…"
~The Next Day~
On the cover of the local paper, the Weekly Crier, the headline read:
NEW DUMMI BEAR MUSICAL LEAVES AUDIENCES CONFUSED, WONDERING WHY IT EVEN EXISTS
And photo underneath had a bunch of confused audience members… and Stu watching in utter bliss.