It was an early fall Saturday night, I was 17 years old and about to have the most horrific night of babysitting I've ever had. I've babysat for Hayden, who was 5, and Jackson, who was 2, before but no other night with them could compare to that Saturday nights events. Driving to their house I had expected any other normal night but it turned into something totally different. In all my years of babysitting I had never been faced with a terrifying challenge with kids, I was no longer one to sit back and panic but, step up and be the adult, take responsibility, and take action.
The front door shut and there was the 3 of us, the night had started out normal but, the darker it got outside, the more tense things got. They had a big house with of course, a lot of big windows, windows so big that it took no effort for the neighbors to merely glimpse over and see what we were doing. The house was also beautiful, but "overly clean." It seemed as if nothing was out of place and if something was, you felt the need to fix it. Walking into the house you would never have expected young children living there, until you looked into the backyard where the big wooden yellow playground and trampoline sat. Hayden and Jackson were usually well behaved until they got on each others nerves. While eating their chicken, green beans, and their overall "perfect meal for growing kids" that their mom made, they began acting up. It was the same conflict as every other dinner with them, Hayden telling Jackson what to eat and why, and Jackson refusing. "Jackson eat your green beans, mom says they are good for you," "No I don't have to, you're not mom." I began to feel irritated and annoyed after listening to this continuous back and forth battle so I suggested we go outside. After we put on our light fall coats and shoes, we went to the backyard.
The air was cold and crisp, red and yellow leaves covered their big yard. We were having fun jumping on the trampoline, swinging, and playing tag. While swinging I watched them play pirates on the top level of the playground but, what I missed was the huge open gap between a step onto another level of the playground, a gap big enough for a small person to fall through. "Arrrggg mi matey Jackson reach up on the mantel and give me that telescope," said Hayden. “Ayay captain Hayden!" said Jackson attempting to crawl up the step. While I was sitting on the swing, the next thing to happen was unexpected. It was all in slow motion yet happened in only seconds. Jackson had slipped and fell through the big gap. His tiny body fell at least 3 feet face down onto the dirt floor. I sprinted from my spot on the swing before he could even hit the ground yet I was too far away to catch him on time. Panic, fear, and every heightened emotion ran through me; the world seemed to stop for that moment, and all that mattered was getting to Jackson. Everything blurred out around me, but the shocked looked on Hayden’s face caught me. I dropped to the ground and picked him up before he could even shed a tear. "Is he okay?!" "Is he breathing!?" Screamed Hayden. I didn't process to answer because what I had just witnessed made Hayden a blur. I could see that Jackson was in shock, our eyes connected until the pain struck him. Blood was gushing from his mouth and he was sobbing, I knew I had to take action or something bad would happen. I picked him up into my arms, and ran to the house. Screaming at my back, Hayden followed me into the kitchen.
I sat Jackson on the floor and tried to figure out what I should do next. There were blood spots on my white shirt, Hayden was panicking, and Jackson was screaming and crying. I grabbed a towel and put it to the big gash on his lip where all the blood was coming from. I analyzed him and looked him over to make sure no other major damage had been done. We were all still in shock. He stood there with his hands to his mouth still sobbing. I was amazed he didn't break anything nor had teeth missing. There he stood before me with only a major cut on his lip. I consoled Jackson and tried calming him and Hayden. At 17 I had never been stuck in such a crisis situation with a child, the only thing I could think to do and the only thing I could really do was call their parents. After talking to their dad I was informed that wasn't the first time Jackson had fallen from the playground, and if he wasn’t seriously hurt he would be okay.
After talking with their parents and finally calming down, we went to watch a movie. An activity I thought we could do together without any risks. But, for the first time we stayed upstairs and not in the basement that was totally closed off with no windows. Sitting on the couch together we were totally focused on the movie until we all realized it was pitch black outside. The kind of dark where you don't even want to put your face near the window because you’re afraid at what might pop out at you. Helping Jackson hold the towel to his lip, I realized that every little creak in the house became apparent to my ears, when there was absolute silence I could hear by heart beating and the sounds of Hayden and Jackson breathing. I noticed my heart beating faster and I could feel my adrenaline running through me, and if something was to happen right then and there I was ready to jump. By then I think the kids felt the tension; every noise seemed to make chills run up and down my spine and make our hair stand on end. I had the constant feeling that someone was watching us. I was too afraid to look at any of the windows thinking I might catch him staring at us. "I'm scared," Jackson said looking up at me. I wished I could say I was too but, I was their protection and their adult right now. "There's nothing to be scared of, I’m here," I replied. But, inside all I heard was "Your 17 you shouldn't be scared!" I couldn't help but think of every horror movie with a helpless babysitter. I was being paranoid. We sat through the movie without moving or making a sound. It was 10 o'clock and they needed to go to bed. I did not want to be left alone, even if it meant sitting with the company of two children at the ages of 5 and 2. Even when I was afraid, I knew it was more important to overcome my fears to be there for these kids.
After tucking them in, I dreaded going back downstairs by myself. I gradually made my way down the stairs bracing myself for anything to come, again, being paranoid. I clenched the railing and took each step individually trying to make the trip downstairs as long as possible. Once I reached the bottom I froze, I could feel my heart racing. I stood there in silence and waited. I wasn't sure what I was waiting for but every possible bad thing ran through my head. All I could imagine was someone coming up behind me and grabbing me, or a noise that would give him away giving me the chance to run back upstairs. After a minute, I worked up some nerve and made my way over to the couch, wrapped myself in a blanket, and tried to make myself as invisible as possible until their parents got home. Even though I had worked up some nerve, I still sat scared.
It was a relief once their parents had arrived home. Shocked by the stains of blood on my shirt, I had to give them detailed events of the night. I was happy to drive home and relieved that the night was over but, the picture of Jackson falling off the playground and the overall terrifying night will always be a scarring memory of mine. From a night that started out normal to becoming my most horrific and challenging night of babysitting, I came to realize that I had to be the responsible and strong adult. Also, not to let fear take you over and panic but, take action when you’re put in an intimidating situation.
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