Babysitter Dreams

Morning hits and Karen’s off to college. Alice’s house suddenly feels two sizes too big, so she drives over to Sam’s. When the new babysitter answers the door, something’s off—Chloe’s smile looks rehearsed, and her eyes flick to the floor the second Sam’s voice echoes from inside. Curious now, Alice steps through. Chloe announces her like a doorman at some shady club, and Alice catches the word 'Mistress' drop so easily it sounds routine. She pulls Sam aside for answers, peppering her with questions until Sam folds and admits the obvious: she’s been sleeping with the babysitter. Sam even offers Alice the magic card—Babysitter Dreams—if she wants the same arrangement. Alice hesitates, half-intrigued, half-horrified, but a crash from the kitchen interrupts them. She pockets the card and leaves Sam to it. Sam finds Chloe kneeling in shards of what used to be a vase, already reaching for the broom. Sam smiles slow, tilts Chloe’s chin up, and decides now’s as good a time as any to finish that lesson in 'babysitting.'