Madison sits for JT (for Hyrulianhero)
 

Jeremy Tyler Edwards, known to his friends as JT, grabbed the pack of Oreos and ran back to his room. He didn't like what his mother had told him and wanted to be prepared if he was going to stay in his room all day. This had been the day he was going to do fun stuff with his mother. Unfortunately his grandmother had had a stroke and now his mother had to go to the hospital. She had told him that little kids couldn't go. She had told him that even though his parents had divorced several years ago and he was the 'man of the house'. "I'm six and a half" he told his mother emphasizing those oh so important six extra months. But she had told him the hospital had firm rules.

JT didn't even know the full implications because his grandmother had been watching him after day camp and she would no longer be able to do so at least for a while. And for today, Karen had been in almost a panic trying to locate someone to watch her son. His grandmother was his usual sitter and the others she'd tired were busy. Then she recalled that one of her classmates from college, April Adams, had just moved back to town. Perhaps she could watch Jerry. And so it was arranged. His mother had told Jerry that he knew Mrs. Adams from three years ago when she had lived in town, but of course Jerry didn't remember that. He was a little mad at Mrs. Adams though nothing was her fault.

The doorbell rang and his curiosity got the better of him. He went to the head of the stairs and peeked down to see his Mom let Mrs. Adams and her daughter Madison. Then something strange happened. Mommy began to cry. Mommies never cried and Jerry came halfway down the stairs very worried. "The other woman comforted his mom and told her. "Karen, you're in no shape to drive. I'll take you to the hospital." Mrs. Adams turned to her daughter and said, "Madison, I'm sure you can manage, can't you? Hold down the fort here with Jerry." Madison had little choice but to assure her mother she could.

Karen smiled at the teen. "Thank you so much." She said just as JT finished coming down, "Mommy, you're crying." he said.

"I'll be fine. Madison's going to sit for you. You listen to her, hear. Why don't you start by showing her around."

Madison willingly agreed to babysit, and when JT entered the room, she smiled. "Hey buddy" she said, kneeling down to his level, "Nice to meet you."

"I'm JT. I'm six and a half." He brushed his longish blonde hair away from his eyes. "How old are you?"

"Wow" she said, "I'm fourteen and a half. Our birthdays, must be pretty close."

"My birthday is March 28. Mommy says I'm an Ares the Ram, but she doesn't like me to ram things. Mommy said to show you around. What do you want to see?"

"Wow" she giggled, "My birthday's a week later...I'm an Ares too. Let's see...how about you just show me around? Is there anywhere, your mom doesn't want you to go?"

JT pointed at the living room on the left. "That's the living room. I can go there, juust not mess it up. They walked down the hall. "That's a bathroom, and that one with the door shut is Mommy's house office. "I'm not supposed to go in there to play, just if Mommy wants me to."

"Ok" said Madison, following him, and noting each room he pointed out.

The went to the kitchen. It was a large family kitchen. All the appliances were in one area. There was a TV on the other end and many of JT's toys were scattered around. It was obvious this was the downstairs room he used the most.

"This is the kitchen and TV, and that's the backyard." he said pointing. He went and opened a door. It was dark behind it so it looked like a closet, but he said, "That's the basement down there." He didn't comment on the paddle hanging from a hook on the back of the door. Of course he knew it was there -- it was always there unless Mommy was using it or on occasion was left out as a reminder to settle down.

"Ok" she said, noticing the paddle, "And I'm guessing you're not allowed down in the basement?"