Chapter 5 A Woman’s Scorn

Mr. Johnson’s Weekend Trip

It was 10:00 am. I had to hurry to Mr.Johnson’s house to babysit. I couldn’t wait to see baby John; my heart filled with warmth every time I saw those sweet, ocean blue eyes. Since I have a key to the Johnson’s back door, I started to let myself in. I couldn’t wait to see Baby John’s big smile when I walk through the door! As I inserted the key, the door opened ferociously. It was Mr.Johnson, and It seemed like he was in a hurry. 

Words rushed from his mouth like water over Niagra Falls, “Hey Vanessa, I’m in a big rush right now, I left some extra cash on the counter for John and you. I’ll be gone for the weekend. You don’t mind staying the weekend, do you?”

“I don’t mind. I could stay with baby John.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Wonderful, John adores you.” If anything happens, you have my and Sophia’s phone numbers.” Then, without looking back, he yelled, “Bye, John.” “I adore you, son.”

Mr. Johnson dashed out the door. I picked up John and walked toward the window. He was stuffing his bag in a red car. He was so fast and aggressive like he was trying to avoid something. When the vehicle backed out of the driveway, I looked closely at the person driving. It was Mrs. Delagarza!! What the hell!! I jumped up in shock. John jumped in my arms, “Oops, I’m sorry, John.” 

Sophia’s Fury

Five minutes later, I see Sophia pull up. Oh shit. She sprinted through the door with no hesitation.

“Vanessa,” she panted trying to catch her breath, “where is he?”

“Mr.Johnson?”

“Yes, of course!”

“Oh, um…he said he was going on a weekend trip or something.” I responded weakly.

“His phone is going to voicemail,” she said rapidly. “Did you see what kinda car he got in?”

“No, but the color of the car was red.”

“I just know he’s cheating on me,” she said in a defeated voice.  “A woman knows when a man is cheating. It starts with fewer conversations, leaving late from work, and late texts and phone calls.” 

 I could see the anguish she had accumulated. Her eyes were filled with pain. Blood vessels flashed across her brow like lightning during a rainstorm.

“Vanessa, I’m going to go out with a friend. Are you fine with staying here with John?”

“Yes, Of course, I am. What time will you be coming back?” 

“I don’t know.” Sophia walked out the door, and I could feel her rage. She didn’t even acknowledge any comfort to her son. 

Dorris’s Spirit

I looked down at John and saw him laughing and swaying his hands. He kept his little hands on his tummy. Could it be Dorris’s spirit playing with him? She played with John’s belly when we got to babysit him. But I noticed that John was also reaching in the air. John started to laugh joyfully. His eyes sparkled. So sweet and innocent he is. Then John started to cry, and I didn’t know what had happened. Could it be that Dorris stopped playing with him? I think it’s probably best for me to get him out of the house. I grabbed the keys, put him in his stroller, and rolled him out to the car. Thank god his car seat it’s built into his stroller. 

Reminiscing Memories

When opening the car door, I had another flashback of Dorris and me having fun with the other kids in the neighborhood, like Susane and Sara who were twins in the area. Susan was a girly girl. Sara was a tomboy, and they were wonderfully mischievous. I remember when they threw a party without their parent’s permission. We were seniors in high school. Cops came and people jumped out windows. Dorris and I were drinking a lot, panicked, and ran out the back door. I hit a tree, and Dorris fell down a hill. We had knots on our head that was the size of a fist. I continued reminiscing about everything we had done growing up, including teepeeing Dorris’s ex-boyfriend’s house. I should stop by and visit Susane and Sara after the weekend. I could tell them about the bridge. But then again, there are more things I would like to know. First, I have to look for my next offering.