The Boy And The Fish-Sitter
Can having a babysitter actually be fun?
Chaz plopped onto the plush sofa, reaching for the game controller when his mom walked past in a beautiful dress and black heels. “Did you finish your homework?”
Pausing with his hand on the controller, he looked up. “Not yet.”
Fastening a sparkling necklace around her neck, she looked at him. “You know the rules Chaz. Homework and chores before games or TV.”
Eyeing the controller, he stood. “Yes ma’am. Mom, are you and Dad going out?”
His dad strode into the living room, straightening his tie. “Yes we are, bud. The babysitter should be here any time.”
The doorbell chimed as Chaz slid onto the chair at the table. He watched as his dad opened the door, waiting to see who they hired this time. When his dad stepped aside, a large fish waltzed into the room on his tail fins!
Before his parents exited the door, his dad introduced them. “Harry, this is our son, Chaz — Chaz, this is Harry. Do as your told, bud, and finish your homework. There’s money to order pizza for supper on the table.” Then they waved good-bye and closed the door.
Chaz stared at Harry. He never had a fish for a babysitter before. He looked grumpy. Could fish even smile?
Harry joined Chaz at the table and helped him with his homework — he even made studying a fun game. They each wrote a silly poem then acted it out when homework was finished. Apparently fish can smile. And laugh.
When homework was finished, they shared a pizza while they watched cartoons. Harry did really well pretending to be the cartoon characters, even matching their voices. Chaz laughed so hard, his sides hurt.
Standing, Harry gathered their plates in his fins. “Alright Chaz, time to clean the bathroom while you get cleaned up.”
Chaz stared at the fish as it waddled toward the kitchen. “But I don’t know how to clean the bathroom.”
Harry set the plates in the sink and looked at Chaz with his fins on his sides, much like when Mom puts her hands on her hips. “Of course you do, Chaz. You can do anything you put your mind to!”
Was the fish smiling again? That looked like a twinkle in his eye.
Harry ushered Chaz into the bathroom and helped him fill the tub. Before he waddled out, Harry dropped a glowing orb into the bath water. “Alright, in you go. Remember to wash behind your ears and under your chin.” Before rounding the corner, he added with a smile, “And have fun.”
Have fun taking a bath and cleaning the bathroom? He liked Harry and how he made boring things a game but he didn’t always make sense.
Chaz carefully climbed into the tub then he grabbed the wash cloth and scrubbed his arms and legs. He scrubbed his feet and toes, but not very well because it tickled.
Then he realized the small amount of bubbles in his bath had transformed into a mountain of bubbles that had spilled over the side of the tub. “Umm, Harry?”
Chaz’s eyes grew larger and larger as the amount of bubbles multiplied. They had rose and covered the sink already, even his mom’s makeup tray.
The bubbles were so light and fluffy — almost fuzzy. Chaz began to float up and out of the tub with them. He giggled as the bubbles made his skin tingle and tickle.
The bubbles rose higher, covering the mirror. Chaz doggie-paddled through the shimmering, colorful bubbles — just like he did in the swimming pool that summer.
As quickly as the bubbles rose, they began to pop. It sounded like when you put your finger in your mouth, create suction, and pop it out. Or like a puppy dancing on bubble wrap. But hundreds of little pops!
Chaz, standing on the floor once again, watched the remaining bubbles pop. Quickly putting on his pajamas covered in space dinosaurs, he ran out of the bathroom with a huge smile.
In that moment, the front door opened and his parents walked in.
Chaz tilted his head in confusion, “You’re home already?”
His dad looked at him as his mom walked past. “Already? It’s been a few hours and it’s time for bed.”
His mom looked around in astonishment and exclaimed, “You’re already clean and ready for bed Chaz! And the bathroom is so clean it sparkles!”
Harry smiled that fishy smile, “Chaz did it!”