After just one day, three babysitters left, and Sarah realized something wasn’t right. She set up a concealed camera because she was determined to know the truth, and she was astounded by what she saw.
The kitchen window let in the early morning light, softly illuminating Lily’s half-eaten cereal bowl at the breakfast table. Max was laughing as Sarah washed his sticky hands, not realizing how frustrated she was getting.
Sarah knew what was buzzing on the counter when her phone did. As she lifted it up, a horrible feeling descended into her gut. A message from Megan, the babysitter she had hired the day before, appeared on the screen.
I regret to inform you that I will not be able to carry on working with your family. I am grateful for this chance.
As Sarah read the message again in an attempt to comprehend, her chest constricted. During the interview, Megan had come across as ideal—kind, responsible, and full of energy. After a single day, what had changed?
Gazing at the message, she leaned against the counter. She was jolted back to reality by a slight sound coming from the living room. Max giggled as he toddled around, making Lily concentrate on her toy. They were content, even. Why, therefore, did every babysitter quit after just one or two days?
Sarah looked at the clock and erased Megan’s message. Julie will soon join them for their daily coffee talk. Sarah could try to make sense of this jumble by having a conversation with her. A persistent question entered her thoughts while she cleaned the kitchen: Was she to blame? Was there something she wasn’t seeing, or was there a problem with the kids?
Sarah smiled to hide her irritation, but she hugged Julie when she arrived. However, as soon as they took a seat and had some coffee, everything erupted.
Sarah responded, “I don’t get it, Julie,” and unintentionally put down her cup. “After barely one day, the third babysitter has left. When I recruited them, they all seemed so thrilled, but after that, they just kind of vanish. Nothing, no justification.
Julie took a deep sip of her coffee. “Sarah, that seems bizarre. Do you expect too much of them?
“I don’t believe so. I pay handsomely, and the kids conduct themselves nicely. It’s just beyond me.
Leaning back, Julie drummed her fingers on her cup. “Do you believe there might be another reason?”
“Explain what you mean.”
Julie paused and then spoke slowly. Perhaps they are leaving for other reasons than their jobs. Perhaps there’s someone or something else in the house.
Sarah felt the idea like a cold splash. She hadn’t given that possibility much thought. Her mind strayed to Dave, but she brushed it from her mind. At least, he claimed to have supported her decision to go back to work.
Nevertheless, Julie’s remarks sowed a doubt that Sarah was unable to dispel. The idea persisted long after Julie had departed.
Sarah was worn out with hiring new nannies just to have them leave after just one day. She thought it was just poor luck at first, but after the third one vanished, it seemed more like a pattern. Max was only two and Lily was five, so neither of the children could really describe what was going on. Sarah required clarification.
By midnight, Sarah could take no more. She couldn’t just laze around questioning other people or herself. It was time for her to take action on her own.
After Dave went for work the following morning, Sarah discovered the old nanny cam they had used with Max as a newborn. She placed it in the living room and, using unsteady hands, concealed it among some books so no one would see it.
Later on in the day, Sarah recruited Rachel, a kind college student with a cheerful grin, as her second babysitter. Sarah allowed herself to hope that perhaps this time would be different as Rachel enthusiastically greeted the children.
Sarah, however, chose to park across the street and use her phone to view the live footage from the nanny cam rather than go to work. Everything appeared alright at first. The children appeared content as Rachel played with them. But as time went on, Sarah became more nervous.
Then Dave arrived home early, just like previously.
Sarah observed Dave welcome Rachel with an all too casual smile. “Hey, how are things going?”
Rachel said, “Oh, everything’s great,” looking a little surprised. The children are amazing.
“Nice to hear,” Dave said in an attempt to sound friendly. “May I speak with you for a moment?”
They moved to the couch, and as worry tightened its hold on Sarah, she drew closer to the screen.
“Look, the kids—especially Max—can be a pain,” Dave said gravely at the beginning. For all of us, Sarah’s postpartum depression has been difficult to deal with.
Sarah gasped for air. Depression following childbirth? That was untrue. She grasped the steering wheel more tightly as she tried to take in what she was hearing.
Rachel offered her condolences, but Dave went on, implying very softly that perhaps it would be best if she went quietly. Rachel nodded fearfully and hurried out of there.
Stunned, Sarah sat in her car. Dave had been undermining every nanny, scaring them away with threats and falsehoods. Furthermore, she was clueless.
Dave was challenged by Sarah in the morning. “I am aware of your activities with the babysitters.”
Dave attempted to sidestep, but Sarah persisted. She’d watched the video from the nanny cam. At last, Dave acknowledged that he thought it would be best for the family if she stayed at home instead of returning to her job.
Sarah was stunned by his treachery and realized she had to go. With a mixture of relief and despair, she packed a suitcase for the kids and herself. Though the future held uncertainty, she was finally taking charge for the first time in a long time.
