Null Pointer

CWE3 Baby Sitting

Dan’s cellphone rang as he was completing paperwork on an arrest for vandalism (he was absolutely not old enough for the thought “kids these days” to have crossed his mind when he and Spider pulled up to the scene). His personal phone ringing while he was on duty was unusual. Everyone who had the number knew his schedule and typically opted for a text that Dan could read and respond to at his leisure and/or after shift.

“Hello Di,” he answered the call politely and not like he was expecting the end of the world.

“Dan! Hi! I know you’re on shift right now, but you get off at two today, right?”

“Yes,” Dan confirmed slowly.

“So, um, I made a salon appointment like a week ago and I’m sleep-deprived, so I forgot it’s Garden Club afternoon, so Moms can’t watch him and Mart can’t get a sub because I didn’t realize until just an hour ago, and it’s Wednesday, so Jim’s at Wheeler International and can’t take Mart’s classes. So, I was wondering if you could maybe watch Jonny… just for a couple hours this afternoon. I’ll cook when I get home; you can stay for dinner,” Di explained, sounding fairly desperate.

“Is dinner all baby sitting is going for these days?” Dan teased.

“We’ll pay you, of course,” she said hurriedly.

Dan laughed. “Di, breathe. I was teasing. You don’t need to pay me; dinner is plenty. I’d love to spend the afternoon with my nephew. I’ll have to pop by the cabin to change out of my uniform. I should be to your place by 2:30.”

“That’s great. I have to leave by three. Thank you so much, Dan!”

“Happy to help,” Dan assured her.

“Thank you so much for coming!” Di greeted him when he arrived.

“Di, seriously. I have nothing better to do with my afternoon than hang with the little guy. Plus, it seems like you could stand a little pampering.”

“Desperately,” Di agreed. “I just put him down for a nap, so he should be asleep most of the time I’m gone. There are a couple bottles in the fridge and directions on the counter about warming them, if you need to feed him. Diapers and such are in the changing table, so you’re all set there. Um…I have my phone, of course, so if you need anything…”

“We’ll be fine, Di.”

“I know,” she admitted. “I’m just…”

“Stalling,” Dan supplied with a grin.

Once Dan was sure Di had really left, he padded softly through the house, checking the instructions in the kitchen, and then slipping into the nursery to make sure he knew where everything was that he might need once Jonny woke up.

Satisfied that he had everything under control (Di’s feelings about leaving her baby with a new person notwithstanding), Dan found himself beside the crib. Before he knew it, his chin was resting on his crossed arms on the crib rail, just watching the infant sleep.

He was still there, an hour later, when the baby finally blinked sleep eyes. He opened his mouth to cry for attention and then seemed to realize someone was already there. He blinked a few times, as if trying to figure out if Dan’s presence was satisfactory.

Dan reached in to the crib, picking him up carefully. Dan bounced him gently, checking his diaper as he did to see if the little boy needed a change. He didn’t, though Dan was under no illusions that he’d escape the afternoon without having to face that particular peril of babysitting an infant.

“That’s it, Little Man. Did you have a good nap? Yeah? I miss good afternoon naps sometimes. You should absolutely take advantage while it’s still socially acceptable. Do you remember me? You’re not screaming bloody murder, so I assume so, but I also know you were probably expecting your Mama when you woke up, since she was the one who put you down for your nap. She went out for a haircut and some TLC. She’ll be right back, I promise. You’ll hardly have time to miss her. Depending on how well behaved the students are over at Ten Acres today, your daddy might be home even sooner.” Dan looked up at the grandfather clock as they entered the living room. “Mart would be home any minute now, if he was just teaching. With Jim in the City, he’ll probably be a little later, but you don’t have to deal with me for too much longer, I promise.”

Mart arrived home to find Dan lying on the living room floor watching Jonny doze on his play mat.

“Thanks so much for jumping in, Dan. We’re both so overwhelmed, it never crossed either of our minds that we hadn’t confirmed who was watching him this afternoon.”

“I get it, man. It’s a major life adjustment being responsible for this little man. I’ll choose hanging with him over chopping wood any afternoon.”

Mart laughed. “Yeah, I guess. Hey, I’ve got Friday off. We’re doing a trial run in the morning with day care, before Di goes back to work next week, but how about I come out to the cabin once he’s down for his afternoon nap and help with that wood chopping?”

“I won’t ever say no to help with the woodchopping.”

“Still, I know this wasn’t how you planned to spend your afternoon, so if you want to bounce, go for it. I’ve got it from here.”

“No way. Di promised me dinner for watching Jonny.”

“You didn’t tell me Di had already arranged payment when I offered to chop wood for you,” Mart complained.

“You didn’t ask, and you didn’t specify that the offer was in exchange for services rendered and not out of the goodness of your heart,” Dan replied with a grin. “But, if it makes you feel like the deal’s fairer, you can stay for dinner after we chop wood. Maybe Di can bring Jonny over, too. Mr. Maypenny would love to have the little tyke to dinner.”