Lecture Notes: The Babysitters Code

Introduction

• The story revolves around unwritten rules for babysitters, particularly teenage girls.
• Boys who babysit tend to break rules but are still loved by children.

Babysitting Rules

• Unspoken, intuitive rules govern behavior.
• Boyfriends may visit unless explicitly forbidden.
• Master bedroom is always off-limits.
• Eat what you like, but never break the seal on any bag or box.
• Clean up evidence of your presence.
• Consume food cautiously to avoid noticeable depletion.

Character Profile: Terri Snyder

• Terri is an experienced and in-demand babysitter in River Run.
• Known for adhering to babysitting rules.
• Terri once hid evidence of overeating by packing pistachio shells in her coat.

Clients: The Morrows

• Generous clients; trust indicated by leaving pistachios accessible.

Client: The Delafields

• Mrs. Delafield, young and beautiful, married to Mr. Delafield, older and wealthy.
• Unusual couple in River Run, their past and choice of residence are mysterious.
• Mr. Delafield is often away; Mrs. Delafield hires Terri on Tuesdays.

Unusual Discoveries

• Mrs. Delafield's underwear drawer is filled with elegant lingerie.
• Terri discovers a small, beautiful handgun in the drawer.
• The gun intrigues Terri and becomes part of her babysitting routine.

Mr. Delafield's Reaction

• Mr. Delafield discovers Terri with the gun but reacts nonchalantly.
• He insinuates Terri can keep the robe and indirectly the gun.
• Their interaction is awkward yet uneventful.

Shifts in the Delafield Household

• Mr. Delafield stops coming home; his absence becomes noticeable.
• Mrs. Delafield becomes vibrant and excited about moving.
• Terri is paid less, indicating financial changes.

Conclusion

• Terri decides to take the gun and an emerald-green slip, feeling it enhances her.
• She rationalizes that something making her feel beautiful should belong to her.

Themes

• Exploration of teenage intuition and rebellion.
• Perceptions of wealth and propriety in suburban settings.
• The idea of beauty and possession intertwined with personal growth.

References

• From the collection Hardly Knew Her by Laura Lippman. (c) 2005 by Laura Lippman.
• Laura's new novel, Life Sentences!