#bergen_county

Frank scratches his beard, thinking.

"I can call someone to watch him." He offers.

"Who? And.. are they qualified? How much do they charge? have they worked with 8 year old boys, because trust me, my boy is... he's a good kid, he is, but there's a reason I go light on the sugar and caffeine"

Frank nods. "I can call someone Fae to watch him. They'll treat him like gold."

"Good. Malcolm's a good boy, just a touch of mischief." A sigh "I never should have named him after a Firefly scoundrel"

His beard moves again, and he finds his phone to dial (painfully slow).

"Sylvi?"

On phone: "Mountain? Hi. Is everything okay?"

"Could you be free to keep an eye on a mortal boy, about 8? His mom just found out she's one of us."

"Why am I flashing back to that old movie Freaks?" Wynette paces 'Gobble gooboo one of us"

"Oh, wow. Um...yeah, let me get a couple of things together, and I can get out of practice early. Send me the location?"

"Will do. See you soon." And after they hang up, Frank sends the location.

The door opens "mom, can I have some chips?"

"You can have an apple" She calls back.

Malcolm sighs, then says "Can I Have the chips WITH The Apple?"

"No. You won't stop eating the chips, and that'll ruin your dinner" She declares

"Fine" A sigh and he closes the door

"You have any kids, Sir Franklyn?"

To Wynette "We aren't Freaks. We're Changelings." Quietly. "And yes. Two daughters of whom I am very proud."

Sylvi arrives a few minutes later, jogging up to the door and ringing the bell. She's in her team sweats and carries her gym back and backpack with her. In fact, she looks like the typical high school babysitter from your average teen movie.

She seems to relax to hear that he's had kids, "Two huh? I wonder if they're easier than boys. I just had one and I'm running ragged"

The woman who looks like a coachman (err coach woman?) in voile is clearly a piskie, she blinks "Am I the only non blue uhm.. changeling?"

"Hi. I'm Sylvi. Welcome to the show!" A smile.

"Nice to meet you young lady. Malcolm is 8 and a half and a handful. I don't know what you charge but fair to warn you he tries to get away with things sometimes. No chips before dinner tonight, he can have an apple"

"You are not. This is ... " Frank regards the other troll for a moment. "This is a remarkable young woman who I have the honor of associating with. She's a diplomat for our home. And she's here to watch Malcolm."

Sylvi blinks at Frank, and beams. "Thank you, Mountain. And don't worry, I'm sure Malcolm and I will do fine. I, uh, don't know your name, though?"

"Sylvi, this is Wynette."

"Good to meet you, Wynette. Okay, no chips before dinner, apples okay, got it. You're taking her to the Lodge, Mountain?"

"Yes, very sorry young lady. Wynette Washington"

Frank nods. "Can you feed the boy, Sylvi? I have money for pizza."

"Sure!" She happily holds her hand out.

"Oh he'll love that," Wynette says "But I had a plan for his dinner and... how long is this going to take?"

Wynette reaches for her purse and hands over a twenty "here... I guess. I think you'll be short changed if I don't pay you more later"

"Oh, whoa, no....this one is on us." She hands Wynette back her twenty, but totally expects Frank to pony up for pizza.

"Or...hey, wait, what were you planning to make, can I ask? I can cook a bit."

"I don't normally take charity when it comes to my son. If my cheapskate Ex won't pony up, why should you?" She smiles at the question, "Well, I have corndogs set to go... and fries .." She describes and gives directions if need be on where to find them and cooking until she realizes the girl can handle that easy

"Oh, totally, we're good to go. Okay, have Mountain Frank give me a call if you want to check on Malcolm."

Frank ponys.

"Hold on, let me explain to him," She moves to the door, "Introduce you, that sort of thing. I can't just let a stranger in without him knowing I approved."

Frank nods. "Go with her, Sylvi."

The scary biker man waits.

"No problem." And she easily follows Wynette inside.

Malcolm seems cool but surprised, "You've got to go somewhere? Mom, is everything okay?"

"It's fine , Malcolm. I Ihave to get the car taken care of so I can get to work tomorrow, and I need to get it done tonight. Sylvia is nice enough to look after you on such short notice, so no tricks on her okay?"

"Yes mom" The boy says with concern but he masks it quickly, then he looks to Sylvia "Am I allowed to watch Netflix?"

"Hey." Sylvi smiles and gives him a little wave.

"Sure, but can we pick something we both agree on?"

Wynette looks at Sylvi "We have the kid filter on but other than that you pick."

"Got it." She nods. "No worries, Mrs. Washington."

"You're a godsend, Sylvi. Don't know if you babysit regularly, but if you do, let me know. I could use ah.. well...someone like you."