Making his way inside, Joey now began looking for Barney. Before heading out to play he had noticed the puppy lazily chewing on a rawhide bone. Wandering through the kitchen and into the living room, he now noticed the girls huddling around both Jillian and Becky.
"Joey," Hannah exclaimed, sprinting towards the boy and practically tackling him in a hug. Becky now began to chuckle, watching the nervous boys eyes grow wide in horror at Hannah's exuberant actions. "My own personal Piglet and Tiger."
"Huh?"
Becky now turned to Jillian a small grin on her face. "You know from Winnie the Pooh," she said. "Hannah is so hyperactive while Joey is practically scared of his own shadow. It amazes me everytime I babysit them how well they get along. They're total opposites." Jillian laughed, now understanding the reference and agreeing completely. The two of them put together were the embodiment of that classic pairing. Now glancing down at her feet, she paused as she gazed at the girls work.
"Wow I'm kinda impressed with the work the kids are doing," she said. "I thought they would get nail polish everywhere."
"Yeah its not half bad," Becky added. "Although still wish Jeff and Harry hadn't volunteered us." As the teens began to giggke and talk, Joey now extracted himself from Hannah's bearhug, anxiously glancing around the house. "Have you seen Barney," he asked. "I have to make sure he's okay."
"No but ill help you look," Hannah exclaimed. Joey paused, nervously looking back towards the teens. "I thought you were doing makeup?"
"Nah its kinda boring. Lets go find Barney!" Joey still seemed unsure about Hannah's offer, especially as the girl now grabbed his hand and sprinted off in search if the puppy.
With Hannah and Joey occupied, Becky and Jillian now leaned back on the couch. Despite their earlier objections, they had to say it was proving to be quite relaxing. Neither teen often painted their nails so it was proving to be an enjoyable experience. All either one could hope for though was that the group of kids wouldn't get carried away.
"Becky! Becky!"
Becky was jolted from her spot as Joey now shrieked in terror. Quickly scrambling up, she watched as Joey held Barney, the boys eyes filled with tears as he cradled his puppy. "Barney is bleeding," he cried.
Quickly taking a look at the puppy, Beckys concern quickky melted away as she saw the problem. "He just lost a baby tooth Joey he'll be okay."
"But he's bleeding," Joey whined, clutching the puppy tightly as tears streamed down his cheeks. "Shouldn't he go to the doctor?"
"He'll be fine," Becky soothed. "Its just like when you lost that tooth, remember? Barney will be just fine okay. Trust me."
Joey's lip quivered, the boy nodding as his babysitter wiped the tears from his face. Becky gave the boy a warm smile, she liked the boy but his neurosis about everything could be quite concerning. All the young teen could hope for was that Hannah could help him grow out of this phase. "Tell you what," Becky said. "Max left his IPad when he went outside. Why don't you and Hannah go play on the IPAD for awhile."
"What about Barney?"
"I'll hold onto Barney and make sure he's okay," Becky said softly as she now held the wiggly puppy. "As soon as he feels better I'll tell you. Does that sound good?" Joey nodded, trying to put on a brave face as Hannah now took his hand. "Cmon Joey lets play a game."
As the two first graders now sat on the opposite couch, Becky sighed, leaning back once more. Hopefully Joey and Hannah would stay quiet for a little bit so she could relax.