So, he’s going to prove them wrong.

He is the most responsible five year old in the state of Indiana - possibly even the world - and he is going to prove it…to other people.

If other people think he’s responsible (he is), they’ll tell him parents and then they’ll have to believe it. Steve knows this because people tell his mom that he’s cute all the time and she says it too.

It’s called witness testimony.

It can make or break your case.

Steve stands in the doorway of Tommy’s house, waiting until his mom, Maria, gets to the door. He opens it for her, “Hi, Miss Mar- I mean. Hi, Mrs Hagan.”

Oh, she does not like that.

“Mrs Hagan?” She says. “I’m not Miss Maria anymore?”

“That’s what babies say.”

“Well, I don’t think that’s true,” She replies. “My little friend Steve calls me that and he’s not a baby.”

“Oh, um…that’s right,” Steve says, following her into the kitchen where she starts making coffee. “Everyone was really good while you were gone. I made sure.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, me, and Tommy, and Carol played aliens the living room. We didn’t make a mess! They’re still in there.”

“Okay.”

“Travis is in his room,” Steve continues. “Tyler is - well, he was with you ‘cause you took him to practice. And Theo-“

“Stevie?”

“Yeah?”

“What is this?” She asks, pressing her lips together to hide her amusement. “Did you guys break something? It’s okay if you did.”

“No way, Miss M- Hagan,” He says seriously. ”I’m telling you what happened while you were gone ‘cause that’s what babysitters do.“

“Are you babysitting?”

“Yeah, ‘cause I’m responsible,” Steve says. “No one brushed their teeth while you were gone.”

“That makes sense since it’s two in the afternoon.”

“And no one left the house ‘cause you said not to,” He adds. “Except for Theo.”

That rule was mainly for the little ones but, “To take the tra-“

“To walk Christine to her car.”

Maria pauses.

She raises an eyebrow at the kid, “Christine was here?”

“Uh-huh,” Steve nods. “She came after you left. She didn’t drive ‘cause I don’t think she can do that yet. Her friend picked her up. The license plate number was-“

“What did Theo and Christine do?”

“I dunno,” He shrugs. “You said you can’t go in someone’s room if their door is shut. I follow the rules.”

“Yeah, Stevie, you do,” She assures him. “You’re a good babysitter.”

“Thanks!” He grins. “….will you tell my mom?”