It was a bright, sunny June day as Jessica Anderson arrived home after the last cheerleading practice of the year. She shut the door to her red convertible, grabbed her bookbag and headed into the house to shower and change before heading next door to baby-sit her neighbors’, the Roberts, two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Amanda for the evening.
Upon entering the house, Jessica went upstairs to her room where she placed her books on her bed before undressing for her shower. Throwing her uniform into the laundry and wrapping a towel around herself, she headed to the bathroom to freshen up after a vigorous practice session.
Having showered, Jessica wrapped a towel around herself and went back to her room to change. She chose a matching thong and bra, as well as a pair of blue denim shorts and a pink baby doll t-shirt. After drying herself thoroughly, she put her clothing on and stood in front of the full-sized mirror in her room to comb her straight, shoulder-length brown hair. Taking a scrunchie from her dresser, she put her hair into a ponytail and put on a pair of flip-flops. Grabbing her purse and her keys, she headed next door to the Roberts’. On her way down the stairs, she passed her fourteen-year-old sister Elizabeth.
“If anyone asks, I’m next door baby-sitting Amanda. I told Mom I was going but just in case she forgets, please remind her.” Jessica said.
“Sure thing, Jess. Have fun.” replied Elizabeth.
“Thanks.” said Jessica as she headed next door. She loved sitting for Amanda. She was so adorable and so full of energy.
Little did Jessica realize that her entire summer would be shaped by this particular evening. Just as she got to the door Mrs Roberts opened it for her.
“Hi, Jess.” Mrs Roberts said. “I was just about to come see if you had forgotten about this evening. Come on in. Amanda is napping right now so you don’t have to worry about her just yet.”
“Thanks, Mrs Roberts. Sorry I wasn’t here earlier. I had my last cheerleading practice today, so I needed to shower before I came over.”
“That’s ok, sweetie. Mr Roberts and I are leaving now. The emergency numbers are on the refrigerator where they usually are, so if you need anything you know where to reach us. We’ll be home around ten this evening. You have fun now.”
“Ok, I will, you too!”
Jessica walked into the nursery where Amanda was sleeping soundly. She admired her there, sleeping in her crib without a care in the world. She took the receiver of the baby monitor and went into the living room to watch television. She turned the television on and started flipping through channels looking for something to watch. Eventually she settled on Bugs and Daffy cartoons on Cartoon Network. Within a half hour, she was sound asleep on the couch.