Why Me?

by,
Abbi G.

“Get back here!” Andrea Carter hollered while chasing a little brown head into the woods. Her skirts and petticoats slowed her as she pushed her way through the brush. If only I had my overalls. She thought, sadly. If only I hadn’t turned 13. She struggled through another thorny bush.

Earlier, Mrs. Goodwin had asked if Andi would babysit her two youngest children. “I asked them who they would like as a baby sitter, and they immediately agreed on you.”

Andi’s mother had been quick to make the arrangements for her daughter. “You need the experience, Sweetie. After all, you are 13.”

Oh wonderful 13! Why did I ever long for you?

She gasped for breath. “Joshua Goodwin! If you don’t come right now, I’m getting Chad.”

Usually, the thought of six foot three inch Chad, made anyone from 5 to 16 stop and listen; but not this time. The youngster pushed farther into the woods.

Andi’s lungs burned, and she collapsed in exhaustion. Why did young boys have to have so much energy? She tried her next threat from where she lay, panting. “I will tell your pa that you didn’t listen.”

Same results.

Suddenly she heard a high pitched scream. Andi shot to her feet; she didn’t see Joshua. “Josh? Josh? Joshua?” She screamed his name over and over. Finally, she heard a weak, “Help!”

She raced toward the noise. “Keep talking, Joshua. I need the noise to help me find you.” Andi tried to remain calm.

“I hurted my ankle,” cried the boy, softly.

Andi soon found him sprawled over a large tree root. “You’ll be okay,” she soothed. She helped the boy stand, and take a step.

Josh started crying. “I can’t walk.”

“Hey, take it easy. I’ll carry you,” Andi spoke with more confidence than she felt. She scooped him up, and staggered back the way they had come.

About an hour later, she stumbled up to the ranch house. She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw James, the older boy, sitting obediently with Mitch.

When James saw his bother in Andi’s arms, he jumped off the porch, and ran toward her. “What happened? Is Josh okay?”

Mitch joined them. “Yeah, Sis. What happened?”

“Josh ran off into the woods, and I had to chase him. He tripped, fell, and hurt his ankle.” Andi felt tired and cranky. This had already been a long day trying to keep the boys occupied. Add this to the mix, and you get one horrible day.

Mitch took the boy from Andi’s arms and laid him on the porch. After carefully examining the ankle, Mitch smiled. “Just twisted. Should be better by tomorrow.”

After two more exhausting hours, Mrs. Goodwin came to pick up the boys.

After Andi explained what happened, Mrs. Goodwin made Joshua apologize and assured Andi that his father would surely be talking to him about his behavior.

Andi collapsed into bed that night and went right to sleep. The next morning came too early.

“Andrea?” Her mother’s soft voice floated into her room.

“Yes, Mother?” she sleepily replied. “I forgot to tell you, Mrs. Blake asked if you would watch Hannah and Helena today. Of course, I was sure you wouldn’t mind so I told her you would. They are supposed to be here in ten minutes. Mrs. Blake said that when she asked them who they wanted to watch them, they both responded with your name instantly. Anyway, I’ll leave you to get ready.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

“No problem, Sweetie. You need the experience, and after all, you are 13.”

Not again! She plans my life for me. Andi thought, exasperated.

She hurriedly got ready, and went to great the guests as they entered.

“Thank you for watching the twins, dear,” Mrs. Blake smiled.

“I’m glad to do it,” Andi faked enthusiasm.

Hannah and Helena rushed to Andi as one. “Andi!” They squealed.

“Hi, girls.” Andi realized at once that she was in for another wild day.

The evening found Andi falling asleep at the dinner table. The day had been spent constantly running to keep the twins in sight. Andi soon found out that twins only meant double the trouble.

Both managed to bury themselves in a manure pile, get covered in hay, and leave the bathhouse looking disheveled and soaked.

After dinner, Andi’s mother caught her before she managed to escape to her room. “Andrea, sweetie, while you were with the twins, Mrs. Foster stopped by and asked if you would--”

“NO!” Andi exploded. “I WILL NOT WATCH HER CHILDREN! WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ME? WHY ME?”

“Andrea!” Chad and Justin spoke the admonishment together.

Mother gaped at her. “Andrea, the kids choose you, not their mothers necessarily.”

“Why me?”

“Tell me, Andrea, why do you think the children choose you?”

“To kill me.”

“Andrea.” Mother let the warning hang.

“I don’t know.”

“They choose you because they love you, Andrea. You should feel so privileged, sweetie. Children don’t just open up to everyone like they do you. You have a God-given talent with children. Don’t throw it away just because the road gets a little rough. The children love playing with you. Sure, sometimes they can be a challenge. I should know, seeing as I raised 6.

“But, sweetie, they can be the most precious thing on Earth if you give them half a chance. They are loyal, and they crave your praise and attention. Give it a chance, Andrea. Remember Colossians 3:23 ‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.’ When you use your talent with children, don’t care about what others say as long as you’re doing your best unto the lord, and not unto men. Do you understand, sweetie?”

“Yes, ma’am; although kids show their love in strange ways. Maybe watching kids isn’t so bad. You can tell Mrs. Foster that I would be genuinely happy to watch her kids.”

“I’m so happy, Andrea,” Mother said. “Well, you do need the experience. After all, you are 13.”