Alex has been a godsend. As a single dad at 42, it has not been easy to manage two twins with endless energy. They're the most important boys in the world to me, but also the most difficult thing in the world to keep up with when you have to spend 10+ hours a day at work.
I first hired Alex to sit for me and the boys two years ago. At the time, she was a 21 year old college student that was only available during the holidays, so I had to rotate between her and other sitters. Recently though, Alex moved back after graduation and has been working small jobs while she saves up to go to graduate school. I jumped on the chance to offer her a more consistent role in the boy's life and to take some of the stress off me.
Today was October 30th, the day before Halloween. She had just finished taking the kids to a school party. The boys had gone as Iron Man and Captain America. She'd dressed up as a very modest Ms. Marvel, her long blonde hair flowing past her shoulders.
"Hi Chris!" she jumped up as I opened the door.
"Hey, Alex. How many times do I need to tell you? It's Mr. Davis to you." I responded.
"Rigggght. Mr Davis," she said, as she threw up a mocking salute. We both laughed.
"The boys were great today. We had so much fun. The class was very impressed with their Avengers get-up. They were running around the entire time screaming that they were saving the world from Ultron. Whoever the hell that is," she laughed.
"You don't know who Ultron is? Have you seen a single movie, ever? In your entire life? I started.
"Not this again. You and your old movies. I told you to pick your favorite and I'll watch it with you! I've been wanting to learn more."
Old? I thought. Is Avengers 2 old? Didn't it just come out? Is that what 23 year olds consider an old movie now? I started to mutter about how Avengers 2 is definitely not old until she jumped in--
"Oh! I forgot. I have to run, I have an event later tonight. Do you mind if I get ready upstairs?"
"Of course, Alex."