Chapter 113 Babysitting
ALICE
I strained my ears to hear what was happening out in the living room, but the second I shut the door, I couldn't hear anything else out there.
Once I closed the door, it felt like we were suddenly isolated. Maybe the walls were soundproof or something.
I turned my attention back to the girls. Lizzie and Angie. Oh, they were so adorable and not at all like other children I'd come across. They spoke to each other so politely and could express themselves so well. Just a few minutes ago, they were creating backstories for their dolls and I found them so creative and out of the ordinary.
They were so well-mannered, too.
"Look at this!" Angie said to Lizzie, holding up her Barbie to showcase the outfit she'd put together. They had so much stuff. As a kid, I'd always wanted more clothes for my dolls. Sometimes, I'd go as far as cutting my own clothes into pieces so I could create new ones. The shoes were a problem, though. I only had one pair.
But they had collections of clothes for their Barbies. Angie's doll was put together so stylishly. It didn't feel like a kid had dressed her up.
"Mine looks like Mommy," she bragged. "Let me see yours."
"I'm not done yet!"
"We're gonna be late!"
"No, we're not!"
"Yes, we are! The graduation ceremony is in a few minutes! I'll get an award for Best Fashionista!"
"You don't know that yet! The judges haven't decided!"
The 'judges' were three Barbies dressed in suits with sunglasses, and they were seated stiffly on a plastic couch, waiting for the arrival of the 'designers'.
"I know I'll win."
"That's not fair!" Lizzie argued before holding up her own doll. "All done!"
Though I was keeping an eye on their interaction, I was worried and couldn't turn my attention away from what was happening in the living room, not completely anyway. The girls didn't seem at all concerned about that. The second they got in here and I told them that the grownups would have a chat out in the living room, they didn't ask me anything about it.
I didn't think they even realized there'd be a fight.
At their age, I was so aware of that. I knew how it felt when the air got charged just before a massive fight ensued. I could tell by the sounds of my parents' footsteps whether or not they were mad.
I hated how their loud, arguing voices sounded when my bedroom door was closed. Our house was so small and their voices echoed. When I was younger, I had the impression that the walls shook whenever they argued. I would stare at a corner for hours afterward, just thinking about everything they said.
That was an awful part of my childhood, but I always tried to forget it.
Angie touched my knee and this pulled me out of my thoughts. "Auntie Alice, will you be the judge in our contest and tell us which Barbie is prettier? Lizzie thinks I'm cheating."
I parted my lips and looked back and forth between them. "Oh, girls, that's not fair at all! Both your dolls are so pretty!"
"But only one can win," Lizzie claimed, pursing her lips. "It's okay if it's Angie's."
Angie's was in fact better dressed, but I couldn't hurt Lizzie that way. I just met them today. Anyway, competition among kids wasn't right. "No. Sometimes, both are pretty and there isn't a clear winner. I give you both joint first place. Is that okay? What are their names?"
"Betty."
"Alice."
I smiled at Lizzie. "Really? Is that her name?"
Lizzie nodded. I was so touched that she named her doll after me.
"Okay. Betty and Alice, you both get first place! The judges are stunned. You're both so pretty!"
Angie smiled, satisfied, and then they continued playing.
A soft knock on the door made me stand. Could it be Theo? Was it over? I opened the door carefully and saw a short, middle-aged woman peering back at me. I didn't recognize her.
"Yes?"
"Miss, Mr. Theodore asked me to tell you to watch the girls for longer."
My heart skipped a beat. "Is everything okay?"
"Miss Francesca fainted. Mr. Oliver and Mr. Theodore took her to the hospital. There's blood everywhere from the fight, but they're all gone now." She covered her face with her hands and shook her head. "It was awful."
Worry ate at me. I closed my eyes and placed my hand on my forehead. Would they find out what Francesca so desperately wanted to keep a secret? "Was he hurt? Theo, I mean?"
"Not more than the other one."
I would have to take this as good news. I nodded and she asked me to let her know if she needed anything. I closed the bedroom door and returned to the bed. The girls were still playing, and all I could do was wait.
Half an hour later, the door opened softly. I thought it might be the maid, but it was actually someone else. As soon as the girls saw her, they stood up quickly. "Mommy!"
Ah, so this was Thelma. Oliver's wife.
"Are you girls okay?" she asked quickly, not waiting for an answer. Her eyes were on me now. I stood up and met her at the door. "You must be Alice. I'm Thelma. It's so lovely to meet you."
"Likewise."
Her eyes widened and she whispered, "God, what a mess, huh? Has anyone gotten back to you? Oliver told me what happened and I came right away. I didn't want to burden you with the girls for too long."
"No, it's no trouble at all. They're so sweet."
"I was hoping to take them for lunch. Would you like to come along with me? We'll have a chance to talk a little and get to know each other. Or do you have somewhere to be? I don't mean to impose my will on you. I just think we all need a breather after that."
I accepted her invitation and we went out together.
My heart hadn't stopped beating fast.
I hoped everything would turn out okay.