CHAPTER #2 bySunni Yuen ******************** Mitch screamed again and again as Dylexia flicked the whip across his back, again and again. The lashes stung painfully but Dylexia was enjoying it. " Discipline! That's what you need! Never ever protest. Nothing is impossible! You have this morning to get all your homework done. After- wards, we'll go shopping with your money!", she growled, "Oh!" she paused slightly in her hobby. "I'll be kind enough to allow you your breakfast time to do so!" Mitch woke and almost let out an agonizing scream. What a horrible, horrible nightmare! The worst part was that Dylexia really was here! He glanced at his clock. It was 5:27 a.m. Why not get some food before Dylexia fed him parsley? He crawled off his bed and put on his bathrobe. Quietly, he crept across the hallway on his bare feet. Passing the guest room, he heard snoring: loud-soft-soft..., like a rhythm on a drum. He couldn't resist peeking through the keyhole and gawked at the sight of his baby-sitter, her face covered with green zucchini and avocado, paste and other manners of 'make-up beauty' vegetables. She looked like a salad! Suppressing a giggle, he risked sliding down the banister landing with a soft hop ( softer than Dylexia's gentlest snores). He tiptoed to the kitchen and opened the cupboard where the bread was kept. Working swiftly and silently he made 2 peanut butter sandwiches, 1 tunafish, and grabbed a box of corn pops, a tin of butter cookies, and 2 packs of juice boxes. Mitch ate a sandwich and a lot of corn pops, while devising a plan. Somehow, he had to prove to his parents Dylexia's true nature without getting himself hurt any further.... He was pondering so hard that the time flew by until he noticed it was 6:30. Mitch quickly dressed and brushed his teeth, and finished his homework when Dylexia called him downstairs. "Oh, Mitchie! Get your butt down here right now." Mitch cringed at the two different tones and hurried down in his street clothes. The sight of Dylexia would have stoned someone. Her hair was wrapped in a towel and her face was still covered with the beauty mask. "What are you staring at?" she barked. Really she did bark although Mitch distinctly sought the word of what barked like her. But Mitch could only concentrate on the pain where Dylexia had pinched him on the cheek with her razor sharp nails piercing his skin. He howled in pain. "Now let's see you dance!" Out came the whip which cracked soundly across his knees. Mitch panted and jumped as high as he could sweating after what seemed like hours or an eternity, whichever was longer, Dylexia finally tired of her sport. He was astonished to discover that only half an hour had passed! "Now that was fun! Go to your room and get your homework done, imbecile!" she shrieked. Mitch fled back up and ate some food gazing thoughtfully out the window. The doorbell rang. Mitch watched the mailman hand Dylexia two packages. Then the deliverer gaped in horror at Dylexia's face. He fainted as the door slammed. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mitch winced as the water sprayed his lashed welts. They stung! Mitch was showering at Dylexia's orders to be as clean as possible. He remembered Dylexia's disgust at his "armpit stench". Dylexia planned to go shopping with Mitch, luckily with her own money! A little while later, Dylexia eyed Mitch suspiciously. Good she thought, he looked clean. Mitch , on the other hand, thought that Dylexia looked much more improved than before. He hated to say it but she was actually pretty! Of course, looks were deceiving for the smeared red lips turned down into a sneer. "Your lunch is here!" She pointed to a wrapped up sandwich and a Dr. pepper. The sandwich was egg sandwich, ugh! But considering, quite an improvement from all the other meals. Normally, Mitch hated shopping with Mom unless it was for toys and games. But, this time, it was a blessing! Dylexia had her reputation as a baby-sitter to think about and she put on such sweet, innocent airs. She dragged him through expensive clothing stores where she modeled almost half of each stores' stocks. She browsed over makeup, perfume and jewelry. All Mitch had to do was hold the products, push the carts and stare. Then they bumped into Jerry and his older sister Carmen at A & W. " Hi Mitch!" called Jerry, then he turned to Dylexia and said politely. "Hello Dylexia". Carmen knew Dylexia from school and considered her a maniac. But she managed to talk to Dylexia about school fashion and movies. Jerry and Mitch quietly whispered to each other. "Ugh! I feel sorry for you!"' Jerry sipped his root beer. "Dylexia is so horrible!" Jerry had only been 'visited' by Dylexia once , but still it remained a most terrifying and educational experience. "Tell me about it! I have to put up with her for the next two days!" Mitch was exasperated. Suddenly, Jerry's eyes lit up! "Come spend the day with me tomorrow! You can sleep over tonight. Carmen won't mind". The two boys waited until Dylexia went to the restrooms and then asked Carmen. "Sure! I know how hard it is to be baby-sat by Dylexia. But our parents will be back from their camping trip the day after tomorrow. I'm afraid you can only come for a day and a night, "she addressed them with a grin. Dylexia returned soon and very graciously accepted the invitation but strangely, she insisted that Mitch return home at 2 p.m. the next day.