Page 23 of Like Fathers, Like Son
She was acting like I was a kid and she was a grown up, and I didn’t like it one bit.
“Why are you being weird?”
“I’m not the weird one, Blaze. Look, I’m your neighbour, and now your sitter, but we’re not exactly friends, are we? We’re years apart in age, and we’re so different.”
“But wearefriends, I know we are.”
Anneka pushed that glowing hair back with both hands, while I wished they were my hands stroking that golden red cloud of hair.
“Look, me and mum, we really need money right now, and your parents are paying me to be here, so please don’t mess this up for me. What time do you normally go to bed? It’s almost nine now.”
I shrugged, determined to not be sent away by her, because she was in my house again, and why couldn’t I just touch her hair for a moment?
14
Anneka
Howweirdwasitthat a few hours ago I was here as Blaze’s neighbour, or maybe even a friend, at least until he freaked me out with his obsession about my hair, and now I was here as his babysitter.
Most boys would probably be embarrassed about that, but not Blaze. I’m not sure he felt normal emotions like the rest of us. He simply sat beside me, and watched me read, and when I wasn’t watching him, I could feel him leaning closer.
“Don’t touch me.”
“I don’t want to touch you, Anneka. I just want to stroke your hair. It’s so shiny.”
“NO! I don’t want you to, and it’s weird, and I’m sure you should be in bed, so go on. Go to bed.”
He actually smirked at me then. “You think you’re in charge here? This is my house, Anneka. This is my world, and right now you’re trapped in it with me.”
What was going on? He was being so uber creepy now. I walked over to the house phone and picked it up.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling my mum. She’ll come around and sit with me, while we wait for your dads.”
“No!” He stood up, rolling his eyes at me.
“I’ll go to bed, but just remember that I’m here, and I will touch your hair one day. Whether you want me to or not.”
I shivered like something cold had just dripped down the back of my neck, because that determined look on his face was the creepiest thing he’d done yet. He really believed that, didn’t he?
Blaze’s dads didn’t come home for hours, and it was only one of them who came home at all, the dark haired one, and by the time he walked in, I was jumping at every creak and sound I heard. I kept thinking Blaze was watching me, and every now and then I’d suddenly dart my head around to check the hallway for him, certain he’d be right there.
“Sorry we took so long, Anneka. Wilma’s still hanging on to the babies, so I thought I’d better come home and stay with the kids until morning, and take them in with me. Apparently I fuss too much… god, what am I doing? Ignore me, it’s been a crazy night.”
“I hope it’ll all be okay Mr… uh… Dory, I was happy to help out.”
He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, counting out several ten pound notes.
“Here, honestly you saved our bacon tonight.” Wow, that was almost double what they’d offered to pay before. Suddenly I was realising just how lucrative babysitting could be, especially here for them, even with Blaze freaking me out.
We really needed the money after all, and maybe I’d just been letting my nerves get the better of me. Blaze had said that creepy stuff, but he didn’t come back down, did he?
“Any time, I’d love to help, and it’s so easy with me being right next door.” Dory grinned, walking me to the door.
“You’re a lifesaver, Anneka. I hope all three of them behaved themselves. Let me watch until you’re safe inside.”
Blaze
