Mandy's Short Story

Mandy lives at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, and is using some of the technology in the SmartHome and in her classes at CORE/Labor Source to write articles for the Imagine! employee newsletter. Mandy is a valued contributor to the newsletter. Check out her latest contribution below.

Kristin and five of her friends decided that wanted to do something together. They hadn’t figured out what to do yet. They kept throwing ideas to each other. They thought it through for quite some time. They couldn’t come up with an idea that all five people could agree on. One day, Kristin finally went to the rest of her friends that helped her do the planning of this activity. She told them that she had come up with an idea. They asked her what her idea was. They were very curious and interested in knowing what she had come up with. It took them all such a long time to come up with an idea. They were so happy that all of them were finally able to agree on something. They all wanted to be a part of the fun. Kristin was very glad they decided on something. She told her friends that she was tired of planning everything they did. She asked them if they could help her next time. They asked her what she had planned for them to do. She told them they were going to see the musical ANNIE. She asked her friends to go pick up the tickets. They told her they would help her with that. She said they were not paid for yet. Everyone was all ready to go have fun.

Kristin had a babysitter for her daughter Camille and was ready to go. At the last minute, Kristin’s babysitter cancelled. Kristin did not know what to do. Camille is still very young. She is at the age where she’s just learning to talk and explore and getting into everything. Kristin couldn’t think of anyone. She was beside herself. She had done a lot of planning and paid for her ticket. The babysitter could have given more notice than what she did. Kristin was angry because now she didn’t have anyone to watch Camille. Kristin was going to have to cancel her plans. Kristin thought of another idea. She called Tyler and Julia and asked them. They were happy to help out. Kristin was so happy. She found a sitter and she could still go and have fun with her friends.

The night of the play finally came around. Tyler and Julia went over to watch Camille. Kristin always left a chore list for Tyler. It’s Julia’s job to watch Camille. Tyler realized he forgot his wallet at home. He dropped Julia and Camille at the park. When he got to his house, he pulled into the driveway and realized his tire was flat. He called Julia and told her he was going to be late. Julia and Camille waited a little bit. They went down the slide a couple times. Julia was tired of waiting. Julia said she and Camille were going on the bus to McDonalds. She bought her a happy meal and an ice cream. She loved it and got it everywhere. Julia was starting to wonder what was going on. She called Tyler again. She asked, “What is wrong now?” He said, “I got stuck by a train.” They took the bus to the toy store. They bought Camille a toy. She called Tyler again and asked him, “What is wrong now?” He said, “I lost my keys in the trash, and I have to rummage for them.” They took the bus again to the bookstore. They bought her a couple of books. She called him and asked him what was up. He said the brakes went out on the car. Tyler had to have the car towed to the garage. She called him and asked him, “What is the problem now?” He said, “Take the bus home.”

When they got home Julia gave Camille a bath and then they read the books they bought. Tyler came home and fell asleep on the couch. Julia tried to put Camille to bed, but she wouldn’t go to sleep. Kristin came home, Camille fell fast asleep.