Triple trouble

Chapter ten - One last chance

Jay's POV:

Babysitter number four came home two days ago. We tried a few things to annoy her. It worked, but she is still here. I don't know how strong her nerves are. I would love to test this out. Toby had some great ideas that we put into action. The woman has no idea what is going on. I like it that way. She will go home soon. I can sense it. The question is how long our mom plans to do this. We can get rid of every babysitter. I already proved this to her. I know she has a plan. She won't give up that easily. I better figure it out before something horrible happens. Toby and Blane will help me. We never separate. That is part of the brother rules. These are rules that only we know, and we have to follow them strictly. I'm sure they won't leave me. I'll do the same. I always save the best for last. The woman will be gone in a few hours. I won't let her come back. Let's see who will be the next victim of the trio. We have to keep our reputation. I hope that she won't cry that much.

It's the weekend, but our parents have some work to do outside. That's why the babysitter is here. We have already prepared our traps. When our parents are asleep, it's time for us to go into action. I have a few pranks for her. Of course, we made sure our parents wouldn't ruin everything. We followed the woman as she went into the kitchen. She likes to make coffee. My surprise will be there. I put a fake bug in the coffee jar. I replaced the sugar with salt. The sweetener is white pepper. It's not original, but I like it.

- Aggh! What is that? Boys, come here right now!

- Yes, miss. How can we assist you? - I asked

- Who did this?

- Did what?

- Don't play with me. There is a fake bug in the coffee.

- Where? I don't see anything, Boys. - I said, and Blane carefully removed it without her seeing it

- There is nothing here. - Toby said

- I saw it.

- Where? - I asked and gave her the jar

- It was right there.

- Why don't you make yourself some coffee?

- I will.

- Here we go. - Blane said, whispering

- Why is it so salty? I put sugar in it.

- Are you sure? That is our salt jar. - I said, also putting the wrong labels

- Maybe the sweetened will fix it.

- Our parents don't use that. They like their coffee clean.

- What type of sweetener is this?

- I don't know. Our parents buy these packs.

She wasn't happy. That is not the end. Sometimes, I prefer small and harmless pranks. It has the power to annoy people. My brothers and I played the innocent kids she had to watch. I'll have fun today. We went to my room and left her alone. She can't accuse us if we are not there. Also, we didn't do anything while she was here. That's why we have to think in advance.

- She is so easy. - I said

- Don't tell. She has no idea where all this is coming from. - Toby said

- I know. The woman won't survive.

- Noo!

- I wonder which prank she activated. - Blane said

- Should we check on her? - Toby asked

- No, leave her alone. Otherwise, she will think that we have something to do with this.

- It's true.

- But she doesn't know it. Let her think that our parents are the villains.

- I don't think this will happen. - Blane said

- I still have my hopes. We haven't been around her since she came. She can't blame us.

- Preparing the pranks during the night was a great idea. - Toby said

- What can I say? I'm a genius.

We grabbed food and watched a movie in the living room for lunch. I guess the babysitter got pranked a few more times. She will get tired soon. I can feel it. That woman is getting annoyed. No one made her agree to this job. It was her choice.

- Man, she is pissed. I can see the end. - Toby said

- I bet she will quit when our parents come home. - Blane said

- The important thing is that she will go away. I don't care what time. It'll be today. - I said

- How long do we have to play this game? Mom won't give up.

- I'll make her do it. I know her weak spot.

- What? You do? - Toby asked

- Of course. We talk about our mom. She can't outsmart me.

- You two are the same.

- Never say this if you want my privileges.

- Yes, sir.

- Good.

The babysitter waited for our parents to come. She said only words. I quit. Mom looked at us, but we didn't say anything. There was no need for that. I have warned her. She didn't want to listen. In the afternoon, she called the three of us into the kitchen. Let's see who will be number five. No one will last longer.

- Your dad and I talked and decided to give you one last chance. - our mom said

- What chance? - I asked

- If you make the next babysitter quit, the three of you will go to a military school.

- What? We already have to go to university. That will be too much.

- Oh, I'll sign you off from university. There, you will receive the discipline you need.

- Dad, say something. - Toby said

- I agree with your mom. You made four babysitters quit for a few months.

- So? We don't need more.

- If you don't want to be in a military school, be sure the next one will stay. She'll be informed about that.

I can't believe this. They can't do this to us. It's not fair. No one messes with me. I'm not following orders. We went to my room to talk. That is not ok. We have to do something. I don't want a babysitter, but if she quits, we are gone.

- Can you believe this? Mom is insane. - Toby said

- We have to keep the next babysitter. - Blane said

- No! I won't listen to a woman telling me what to do. - I said

- You heard mom. If she is gone, we are gone too. I don't want to go to a military school.

- I agree with Blane.

- Relax. When have I failed you?

- Never, but the situation is different.

- I can handle it, but I need more time to think.

- We'll help you with whatever you say. - Blane said

- Good. I won't fail.

The rest of the afternoon, we spent in my room. The university year will finish soon, so I don't plan to attend more classes. Besides, I have a grade in all of them. I wanted to go out, but my mom stopped me. She wanted us to talk. This time on four eyes. I have nothing to tell her, but I might convince her about the military school.

- What do you want from me?

- To talk.

- About what? I have nothing to tell you.

- I want to know how far you can go. You managed to get rid of four babysitters. I might say that it's impressive even if I don't like it.

- Are you trying to compliment me?

- Give a chance to the next one and stop getting in trouble.

- No. I might stop if you get rid of the babysitter.

- That's not happening.

- Neither on my side. It depends on you.

- You know it's the last chance. Will you do this to your brothers?

- We are in this together. Also, I know you won't do it.

- Oh, I will. I have talked with the school. They love having such kids.

- So what? They'll beat me up when I don't do what they say.

- Force is not the solution.

- They'll fail just like you.

She didn't say anything. I guess I hit something. I didn't lie. Mom failed with the babysitter thing. Later, I went out. This time, I was alone. Sometimes, I like to do it. On the way, I saw Andrew. He was with some company. I saw this girl at his party. I don't know who was hitting on who. It looks like it worked.

- Hello, buddy.

- Hey. It's rare to see you alone. The trio never separates. - Andrew said, chuckling

- True, but I can go alone. Nice work.

- That is Trish.

- Yes, I saw her at your party.

- No, no. That was my twin sister, Iris. I wasn't at the party.

- You have a twin sister. Why weren't you with her?

- I had some work to do. Where are your brothers?

- At home. I don't know what they are doing.

- Man, are you ok? You are either tired or pissed.

- Both.

- Why?

- I'm in a war with my mom. It's a long story.

- Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sure you can win. No one can stop you.

- No one except for her.

- Come on. I know you. Many people like you because you don't give up.

- I won't. I don't know who will win, but I'll fight until the end.

- That's what I want to hear.

- If you want something so much, you'll do anything to achieve it. - Trish said

- Thanks. Is there anything you want?

- No. I already have everything.

I talked with them for a while. For dinner, I was outside. I came home late. I know there will be questions, but I want to avoid them. I went to my room for a shower. It's not like this will help me. When I was ready, I laid in bed. Mom should be stopped at all costs. I won't let her win. No one beats Jay. I was on my phone when Blane came in. The last thing I need is his lectures. I know he is not wrong, but I don't want to hear it.

- What do you want?

- Nothing. I only came to check on you. Are you ok?

- I'm fine.

- Can you be honest with me? Mom is draining you, right?

- Do you care?

- We are brothers. Of course, I care.

- Look, I don't want to talk about this.

- We'll find a solution. I promise you. The next babysitter might not be that bad.

- Are you kidding me?

- We can pretend that she is having a good effect on us. That way, she'll go away faster.

- This won't work at all. Someone will tell our parents what we are doing. How do you think they know about all this?

- You should be more optimistic.

- Why? Look at what she is doing. Everything keeps getting worse.

- Not everything.

- What do you mean?

- The trio is still together.

- It doesn't matter if we are in jail. There is no trio there.

- Jail? We are going to a military school.

- It's the same thing. I won't let her win. Mom will regret this.

I have some things that I want to say to our mom, but I'm not sure how she will take them. I don't want to upset her, even if she deserves it. There must be another way to deal with her. The winner is only one, and that will be me. What will happen after that? I want her to leave us in peace, but I know this won't happen. She can't control my life. It doesn't matter if I make mistakes or not. They are mine. It affects me, not her. Let's see how long I can keep it together. I'll try my best to always be one step ahead of her. Mom won't win. I hope that she won't take it too personally.