Amy rang the doorbell and waited. When the door opened, it wasn't Johnny, but little Nichole waiting. "Hi, Amy," said Nichole brightly, remembering her favorite babysitter.
"Hey, Nichole," said Amy, "Have your parents left yet?"
"Not yet," said Nichole, "They were about...about to..." She trailed off as her mind went blank. Amy had a vacant look on her face too. Unknown to them, the Chronivac's programming was starting up again, getting ready to continue. The system began removing and updating their profiles.
Nichole put on 1.5 feet in height as her baby fat started draining away. Her pink dress pulled up her body before it became a t-shirt of the same color. A pair of jeans appeared on her as her shoes became sneakers appropriate for her new age. Her face thinned out slightly as new teeth popped into her mouth. Her dark brown hair flowed around her head as the pigtails vanished. A decade of education was uploaded into her mind.
Memories of Amy's parents flowed from Amy into Nichole, Nichole's hair turned from a dark brown to a blond, as her facial features shifted to incorporate new parentage. Simon turned from 'Daddy', which he'd been for the last few days, to Mr. Johnson...her neighbor across the street.
Amy only got about an inch or two taller, but her face started to mature, her hair shortening to more mature do. Her jeans and t-shirt shifted into a simple dress, and a ring appeared on her finger. Her body started to see the effects of having two children...but still fit and athletic. A few moments earlier, she'd been a high school student, but now memories of college were being uploaded into her, and several years of work.
Suddenly, like a switch being thrown, the two resumed their conversation.
Nichole blinked a few times..."They were about...about to..." she trailed off. "What was I saying?"
Amy looked confused for a moment. "You asked if we were ready to go..I thought. Just remember...you have our number...we're just having date night...and if there is an emergency, you can call us." She paused. "Maybe I shouldn't go...I mean, Johnny had a nightmare last night..."
"Mrs. Johnson...it will be fine," Nichole said. "It's not like I've never watched them before."
"I guess not," she said. "But, I suppose I'm being overprotective."