Dependable Suzy or The Music Box

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Suzy Smith took all her commitments very seriously. Her mother told her that once she made a commitment, no matter what exciting event may occur- Suzy was obligated to keep her commitment. That included her promises to baby-sit.

Suzy had been sitting for Peggy Baker since Tommy was born. He was 3 now and a beautiful baby. Peggy was a single Mom and she really needed someone she could count on. Suzy, beyond all things, was just that.

At 16 years old, Suzy knew she was more mature than her silly teenage girlfriends. She planned to go to college, study Police sciences and become a Crime Scene Investigator. She was such a good sleuth and loved nothing more than solving mysteries.

Speaking of mysteries, her moron girlfriends had started a rumor that Peggy Baker’s house was haunted. They said that a ghost played a music box every night at the stroke of midnight.

How ridiculous was that? Not even original! Suzy didn’t believe in such things and knew there had to be a logical explanation.

When Suzy came to sit for Tommy that night, Peggy’s elderly father set snoozing in the overstuffed chair with the newspaper on his lap. She decided to not wake him. She sat down to look at the magazines she had brought with her.

At the stroke of midnight, the soft sound of a music box filled her ears. She took a deep breath and reminded herself as a CSI; she had to keep her emotions under control. There was a logical explanation. She was sure of it.

She slowly walked upstairs and went into Tommy’s room. Everything appeared in order. The highchair set in its place and Tommy was sleeping peacefully.

She looked at Tommy in his crib and noticed a teddy bear scrunched up underneath the baby. As she picked up the toy, the sound of the notorious music box melody played once again. There was her logical explanation. It was in the toy! Everyone one has sleep habits, even Baby Tommy. He was rolling over on the toy every night at the stroke of midnight, which stimulated the music box to play

Boy- were her friends going to feel stupid when they figured that out!

Suzy heard the jingle of front door come open. It must be Peggy. She rushed down the stairs to greet her. Peggy had her arms around her Father and she seemed sad. She was thanking her Dad for staying for the evening.

The newspaper Peggy’s father had on his lap had fallen to the floor. Suzy looked down at it and saw her own photograph and headline on the front page:

SIXTEEN YEAR OLD SUZY SMITH DIES IN FREAK BICYCLE ACCIDENT. MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT HIGH SCHOOL

Suzy smiled. Suzy Smith took all her commitments very seriously. She was very dependable.

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Bet you didn’t expect that- huh? The story about the music box haunting and baby's discovered sleep habit is actually true. It happened to a family that lived across the street from us when I was kid.

Got any creepy or ironic stories for me?

Vikki

"Baby’s Chair’ is 12”x16” acrylic on un-stretched canvas. The Original Painting including shipping and handling was $250 (U.S. only). Now $70. I noticed a pencil mark from my original sketch still on it and the painting has been varnished; i.e. pencil mark is permanent surprise detail. You can contact me here.

Artist Challenge #5‘Unrequited Love’ publishes Saturday, February 14. Don’t miss it. I’m only going to remind you a dozen more times!