The woman who interviewed me for the job was sitting in the living room sipping a cup of ..... something(well I can't see what's inside the cup). What I remember the most about her was how tall she was. When she got up the last time to shake my hand, it looked like she could have used me for a walking stick. I must have come up to her waist!

Well, today her long legs were put on the display cause she was wearing a dress that came to mid-thigh and was sitting down with her legs crossed. I think I stared at them a little too long. I wish my legs were half as long. Good god woman, stop staring at her legs. You are creeping her out. This is your first day, save the crazy for later.

The Obans belonged to a humanoid alien race. So unlike a lot of them they didn't have extra limbs or tails. One look at her though you can definitely say Miss Oban wasn't a human. Her skin tone was almost orange and her eyes were sort of feline in their shape. She had high cheek bones too which I would have killed for. I have chubby cheeks so it looks like I have something stored up their like a squirrel.  

"Good morning Ms. Short, I hope you didn't have any trouble finding the apartment"

"That wasn't much of problem miss, taxis these days know everything"

"Please call me Zenya. Miss just makes me sound so old".

"And you can call me Shortie"

I could hear Mrs. Miller clearing her throat. What was her problem?

Zenya just laughed a little and raised her eyebrow, so I explained. "That's what people call me, cause you know, I'm short and my name is Short". I hope I made sense.

"Okay then Shortie, are you ready to meet your new responsibility?"

"I hope so. I mean my job is to babysit, so I have to meet the kid someday and sooner the better I always say." I ramble when I am nervous okay? I can't help it!

Mrs. Miller cleared her throat. Again.

"Are you alright there, Mrs. Miller. Sounds like you are sick!" I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Oh no, nothing Ms.Zenya. It's nothing."

Zenya got up from the chair and gestured for Mrs. Miller and me to follow her. I looked around the apartment as I walked and it looked super cool. I mean things for sure must have been fancy and super expensive but it did not look over the top. The overall theme seemed to be black and white though, and nothing looked out of place. It barely looked like a house with a kid. It just looked like the top result you'd get when you search for, luxury apartment.

Zenya walked into a room, and we hurried to follow her. She looked very graceful when she walked and me on the other hand wobbled after her like a penguin. I mean I basically had to run. Damn me and my tiny legs. The lights turned on by itself when we walked inside. How did those things not turn on all the time when there is a baby kicking and turning in the crib?

She walked to the big crib in the center of the room and picked up a brown furry teddy bear.

"Shortie, Meet Espath John Axic Oban. I hope you two will get along just fine!"

I burst out laughing. That was a funny joke, although they couldn't fool me. I know what a baby looks like.

Mrs. Miller gasped really loud and went silent. I turned to make sure she hadn't fainted or something. But when I turned back to look at Zenya I could see the teddy in her arms move a little.

Oh no! Oh no, no, no!

"Our kind is pretty hairy when we are kids. We shed all of this off when we grow up though".

Well first of all, gross! Second, don't penguins do that too? And third, I just laughed at the baby I was supposed to be babysitting. I am getting fired for sure.

"I am so sorry" I might as well try to salvage the situation.

"Oh! Don't worry, I know it's a shock at first. I mean I couldn't believe how human babies are so naked when they are born. What would protect them from the cold?"

"Do you want to hold him?" Do I?

"Oh, sure!" This was going to feel so wrong. I reached for the baby anyway.

The baby was surprisingly soft and smelled of baby powder. It was as if he was an actual teddy bear. Too bad they lost all the fur when they grew up. How awesome would it be to cuddle a giant, sentient teddy bear every day?

"Mrs. Miller will provide you with all the materials and instructions. Naturally, we are different from your babies, so you need to study the do's and don'ts."

The baby even comes with a manual! Too bad I usually throw those things away. I didn't want to study!!!! If I was good at it I wouldn't be here babysitting, would I?

Mrs. Miller would probably even quiz me. That would be the worst.

"I'll give you your uniform before you leave?". OK, I was wrong this is the worst. What kind of a babysitter wears a uniform anyway? I mean babies throw up, they poop and pee on you all day. No uniform was going to survive that.

"How about we leave you two alone to get acquainted?"Zenya said. Mrs. Miller though didn't look like she wanted to leave the room. If she doesn't trust me alone with the baby for five freaking minutes, how will she expects me to take care of him and you know do my own job?

"Keep the door open!" Mrs.Miller said, no demanded as she left, reluctantly.

"Sure glad that the witch is gone, huh buddy? Now it's just you and me."

The baby kept staring at me with his big brown eyes. This moment I felt is going to be super important. You have to like me, little baby. I can't lose this job. I didn't even notice him reaching up and grabbing the lock of hair that slipped out of my bun. Until of course, he tugged really hard.

"Ouch." How freaking strong is this baby? He really must be half human and half bear. The little rascal laughed when I cried out. I couldn't help but smile at the sound. It sounded so cute. I was glad the baby didn't take one look at my face and start crying!

"You know what little bear. I think you and I are gonna get along just fine."