[timebaby3]

In the summertime, when the weather is hot, you can stretch right up and touch the sky, when the weather is fine, you've got women you've got women on your mind

-Mungo Jerry "In the Summertime"

Summer days had once again come to the little town of Belview, days were warm, twilight came late, and best of all, school was out. These were the days of endless playtime for children, for teenagers to goof off, for catching fireflies and hanging out at the lake, for grass stains and ice cream cones, summer loves and camp fires, but it was also time for summer jobs.

Steven was a well known babysitter around town in spite of him being a boy and facing competition from the girls at his high school, e was trusted and well liked. It was the third week of June and the end of the school year was a not so distant memory in his mind, as Steven drove to a new client's house for another day of babysitting. Nearing mid-morning, the streets were sparsely occupied with cars, and the sleepy little town was abuzz with sounds of a different sort, parks were packed with children and parents, caravans of old cars made their way up to Mirror Lake for a day of fun in the sun, and the local cinema was lined with the opening of a new movie.

'Business as usual' Steven thought to himself, but it wasn't the only thought on his mind. She was still there, and so was that night, a night that changed his life, possibly the best night he had ever had in his young life. Tiffany, she was on his mind.

They hadn't gone out again since that night, although they had seen each other around school and even hung out a few times with friends, but never alone. The night hadn't ended badly, and his cheek still burned with the kiss she planted on it, but something still felt awkward, something in her eyes was different, Tiffany was a funny girl, he could never figure what she was thinking, one minute she's acting like a happy playful child, the next her mood does a one eighty and she becomes calm and stoic. Whatever it was, it would have to wait for another day, she was probably busy today anyways, going to the movies, shopping downtown for summer clothes, or swimming down at the river, like most teenage girls would be doing.

Steven arrived at his destination, his mother had set up the job today with one of her friends who needed a babysitter for the day, it was good money and it was only one little girl who was about three years old, luckily the younger ones were easier to deal with, the only downside was that it was going to be all day, as the parents said they wouldn't be back until early evening, so his whole day was going to be shot. Steven sighed with annoyance at the thought of blowing a whole day of his summer break hanging around with a toddler, but her steadied himself and pressed the doorbell.

A young woman in her early thirties answered the door, she wore a sleeveless summer dress and her auburn hair was pulled back in a youthful ponytail, she was pleasant and attractive as any young mother might be.

"Hello, you must be Steven, your mother told me all about you, please come in" ushering Steven into her home "I'm Wendy Blake, I'm so glad you were able to come watch our little Charlotte today...............she's in her room right now playing with one of her little friends from daycare, but don't worry she's only staying for a few hours today then leaving, I hope that's not going to be too much trouble for you"