Emergency babysitting [for Essie]

[bachjones]

Things were running into one big mess. Bach thought he had it all in order for tonight. Sundays were for sleeping with Emily, which meant that Isaac would spend the night at Mrs. Gordon's. Bach could do his thing, show up silently in the early hours and pick up Isaac before he was awake. They did it twice a month and it worked.

Mrs. Gordon had the flu, and now Bach had seventy minutes to find someone to watch Isaac and be on time with his customer. He considered family, neighbors, Hana.
It was Isaac playing with his toy guitar that gave Bach another idea. Essie. "Let's go see Essie, don't you think, Isaac? Come on, bag, guitar, blanket, go go go!"

Fifteen minutes later they were in front of Essie's enormous house. It took Bach a moment to locate the bell, before ringing it, long.

Comments

[wakingwakewood]

Essie felt like she needed to just do something. Move. Get out and the happy puppy was probably the best excuse she had. "I should probably take him out for a w-a-l-k before there's a puppy puddle there, too. You guys can finish up, don't feel like you have to rush or anything."

Dan's leash was on a hook in the pantry and he perked right up when he saw her grab it, coming over and sitting at her feet expectantly. He was probably the most well-beahaved puppy she'd ever seen. Not that she had any great experience, but he was uncannily... aware of what she wanted. And generally agreeable, although he kept looking at Isaac as if he expected him to come with as they headed towards the back door.

"If you go while we're still out, go by the front door and hit the lock button on the security pad when you go?" She could use her own code to unlock the back door when she returned. Or they could let her in. If they were still there. Although as awkward as everything still felt, it would probably be better if they left. "I'm sure I'll probably see you guys around, okay?"

[bachjones]

He was being dismissed by this ch- Bach disgusted himself. And usually he was much better with picking up clues. As was Isaac.
"We're not .." His son looked at him, looked at Essie. "Coming?"

"We need to get you in a bath and go feed Alfred. Remember Alfred, our cat. He needs us." Bach was sure that walking the dog was boring anyway. "Thanks again for everything, Essie. I really appreciated it. Appreciate it. And don't think I'm going to forget about drinking you out of juice, okay? I'll get it back to you."

"But -"
"Go get your stuff, Isaac. We need to find our way out of here before the lady of the house returns."

[wakingwakewood]

Essie almost broke, but stopped herself, giving the boy a smile as she opened the door. "I'm pretty sure you Dad has things you guys need to do. Can't keep you all to myself all day." As much as she might want to. They weren't hers, she was stupid to think she had any claim on them. Bach had been desperate and she shouldn't, couldn't, read anything else into that, even if she thought there had been... something the night before.

She was just projecting. That's what they called it, right?

Opening the door, she had to tug a little to get Dan to head outside. "And honestly, don't worry about the juice. Pretty sure the market has plenty, I'll be fine. And it was my... pleasure. Not a problem. Have fun today, okay, guys?"

And with that she escaped into the morning air, tugging Dan along as she headed them towards the beach. It was going ot take a long walk before she felt like she could go back without tears in her eyes.