Page 96 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

She turns to look at me, a serious expression clouding her
eyes. “And how is your mother doing?”
Oh, thank God. I almost thought she had me!
“Um, you know, she has her good and bad days.” The floor
still has my undivided attention. I absolutely cannot look at
her. Or him!
“Well, please tell her I hope she’s feeling better very soon.”
I nod my head agreeably as she begins to give me
instructions for Tommy’s care. Mr. Cowboy slithers out of the
room without a word.
Focus Kelita, focus. Listen to her instructions.
I am present in body but my thoughts are swirling. I have
no idea how to respond to what just happened. What the heck
did just happen?
Tommy scampers into the room and grabs my hand. “C’mon
Kelita … let’s go play trains!” Without so much as a farewell
to his folks, he drags me to the playroom, chattering the whole
way. I hear the front door close and immediately feel safer. I
am now ready to do what I came here to do - babysit. Tommy
and I play trains and many games of Snakes and Ladders, but
my brain keeps wandering back to the living room and that
horrible man. I am still in a state of shock. How does someone
just do something like that? Out of the blue? Did I do something to
lead him on?
I keep trying to drag my head back to the job and when
Tommy begs for chips and pop, I readily agree. After snacks it
will be bedtime. A quick story and lights out. Finally, I can be
alone with my thoughts.
I’m still in a daze as I make my way down the winding
staircase to the kitchen. I am starving and sick, both at the same
time. I wolf down some more chips and a can of salty shrimp.
Feeling just a little bit better, I return to the living room where

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