My 11-Year-Old Son Convinced Me to Install a Camera in the Basement – ‘Nanny Does Bad Things Down There’
My 11-Year-Old Son Convinced Me to Install a Camera in the Basement – ‘Nanny Does Bad Things Down There’
The installation of a covert camera is something that Jenna does in response to her son’s insistence that the nanny is concealing something in the basement.
The information that she uncovers completely disproves everything that she believed she knew about her house, her marriage, and the people she can rely on.
The one video. Dinner for one. There will never be anything that is the same again.
He said it with the same level of composure as if he were requesting extra milk with his porridge. “Mom, Talia does bad things in the basement,” my son, who is 11 years old, claimed.
Moreover, we are not going to discuss Talia, our nanny.
I halted, my hand resting on the refrigerator, and I realized that I had already forgotten what it was that I needed from it.
“What do you mean, Ethan?” I inquired about it. “What kind of bad things, honey?”
But at that very moment, the front door opened with a creaking sound, and Ethan became rigid.
Derek, my husband, entered the room while wiping the sweat from his forehead and, like he always does, threw his keys into the bowl that is located by the door.
Suddenly, Ethan’s gaze shifted to the ground.
Derek tossed his hair and muttered, “Hey, buddy,” as he ruffled it. “Hi, Jen.”
The moment my husband went across the kitchen, he stretched out to grab me and pulled me into a tender embrace. While he was walking down the corridor, Ethan was already behind him.
I prepared grilled chicken and vegetables for dinner that evening. I had to come up with something in a hurry. A simple thing to do. In other words, something that did not require any mental fortitude. The way that Ethan was behaving was already giving my mind a headache.
How could something have gone so wrong? Exactly what was Talia doing? What was the reason for Ethan’s unexpected decision to take a step back from Derek?
Ethan had been his father’s son and had always been so. Derek was the focus of attention from the moment he was able to use his voice. It’s true that I was the one who made all of his favorite foods and treated all of his scratches and bruises, but what about Derek?
Derek was the one who was responsible for the constellations that were seen in the night sky.
Not knowing what had gone wrong, I was at a loss for words.
I sneaked into Ethan’s room after supper, leaving Derek to clean up the kitchen and wash the dishes. I then went to visit Ethan.
When he was experiencing discomfort in his tummy, my kid would curl up on his side in the same manner. In the present moment, he was lying there, tinkering with the drawstring of his pajama trousers.
“Why did you stop talking earlier, baby?” When I inquired, I made sure to keep my tone equal and light. “As soon as your father arrived home, you became quite quiet… To what extent did you wish for him to be aware of Talia?
For an extended period of time, Ethan was fixated on the ceiling. I was unsure for a moment whether or not he was even aware that I was present in the room.
“Because, Mom,” he explained. “I don’t trust him.”
I was aware of a tightness in my throat that prevented me from breathing.
How come you don’t have faith in your father? Who is Ethan? It is going to be necessary for you to share everything with me.
At that moment, he sat up, causing his plush penguin to fall down. In contrast to the joyful boy I knew, he appeared to be in a state of extreme seriousness as he crossed his legs.
When Talia is in the house, she always makes sure to secure the door to the basement. During the process of cleaning and removing stains from our garments, she claims that she is employing potentially harmful chemicals. She is, however, lying. I have no doubt that she is!
“Alright, that’s quite peculiar,” I concurred. “But what makes you think she’s lying?”
The expression on Ethan’s face changed.
It was a brief “Hey, hey,” that I said. “I have faith in you! I am merely attempting to comprehend, is that okay?
He indicated with a nod.
The sounds that I’ve heard down there are strange. To the point where there is another person waiting for her! Also, getting to know her. On the other hand, whenever she has come to pick me up from school, there has never been anywhere else in the house. Take a look, Mom. I believe it would be beneficial to install a camera in the basement.
My heart sunk to it. Whatever my child had just shared with me could not possibly result in anything positive.
Talia had been a part of our group for more than a year. She is twenty-five years old, smiling brightly, working hard, and speaking softly. While she was still in school, she began working as a cleaner on a part-time basis in an effort to make some money. Over time, she transitioned into a more housekeeper-slash-nanny role.
She arrived after lunch, remained until I arrived home, and made sure that Ethan was well taken care of while Derek and I were working.
As a nurse, I am. I work 12-hour shifts when I am on rotation, and sometimes I work longer shifts if there are not enough people on the floor.
One of Derek’s businesses is a custom furniture company. It is always handy for him to be too busy to purchase groceries or take Ethan to the dentist since he is constantly racing in and out, always “checking on the guys,” and always “checking on the guys.”
My faith was in Talia. Or it’s possible that I simply never considered the possibility of not doing it.
Ethan, on the other hand, has never before made a statement of this nature. In no way was he dramatic. He was thoughtful, cautious, and vigilant in his observations. Unlike other children, he did not make stuff up on the spot.
As a result, I did not tell Derek.
Trusting my instincts, I placed an online order for a simple camera and paid an additional fee for delivery within one day.
I waited until Derek was in the shower the following evening before sneaking downstairs so that I could get in. I positioned the camera so that it was perfectly aimed, nestled it up in the rafters of the low ceiling in the basement, and then connected it to an application on my phone.
There was very little use of the basement. There were several outdated pieces of exercise equipment, paint cans, and a refrigerator that had not been operational for many years. That area was not cleaned by anyone. Not in any way, shape, or form with chemicals.
The reason for this is that my stomach turned when I saw the motion notification light up on my phone for the very first time.
The break room at the hospital was where I was, and I was attempting to keep my eyes open while drinking coffee that had been watered down. Through tapping the alert, I was able to bring up the broadcast.
My name is Talia. She entered the room with serenity, her hair pulled back and her phone in her hand. Because I was aware that Ethan had soccer practice after school, I arranged for his friend’s mother to bring him back to his house.
Talia gave the area a quick inspection before closing the door to the basement and locking it. After hastily typing something into her phone, she sat down in one of the ancient armchairs that I had been requesting Derek to refurbish for years. I had been expecting him to do this for years.
In that spot, she sat and waited.
It had been five minutes. I watched, unable to tear my gaze away from it.
At that moment, the door on the side of the building, which is the door that leads to the exterior and is never used, opened.
Moreover, Derek entered the room.
It did not appear like he was sweating. Neither was he coming in from a place of employment.
But he did not make any comments. Only a smile appeared on his face before he approached her, grabbed her by the hips, and kissed her.
I just about lost my grip on the phone.
There was a blurring of the live video as they moved. They were encircling him with her legs. He slipped his hand below her shirt. My spouse of twelve years ago. The individual with whom I had a child, a mortgage, and a life together…
Additionally, Talia, the woman whom I paid on a weekly basis, sighed sweetly into his mouth as if she had always been comfortable there.
The app inquired as to whether or not I desired to preserve the video.
I pressed the yes button with a thumb that felt like it was barely linked to my body.
In spite of the fact that my body appeared to collapse in on itself, I did not cry. Out of the hospital, I did not make a hasty exit. This is the end of my shift. I gave the patients a joyful smile. I distributed several medications. I distributed additional cups of jelly.
In the moment when I was getting into my car, I told Jenna, “You are going to handle this.” “You’re going to end this your way.”
In the evening, we had visitors over for dinner. Lauren, my sister, her husband, Derek’s parents, and Ethan’s godparents are all members of this group.
There were nine of us seated around the table, and the stereo was playing faint music in the background. During this time, the chicken was being cooked in the oven. I was making my way through the potatoes that had been mashed. It was Lauren who was tossing a salad.
The clinking of wine glasses sounded like wind chimes.
Right before Derek arrived back at his house, Talia had already left. Typical of her behavior, she pretended as if nothing had occurred…
Please have a lovely meal with your family, Jenna. Let’s get together on Monday, shall we? As you go, Ethan!
It appeared as though nothing had occurred to her. I was under the impression that she had not spent nearly an hour with my husband that afternoon.
In response, I smiled at her as well. As a result, my hands were trembling.
During the middle of the meal, Derek laughed at something that his father had said and then proceeded to pour more wine into my glass.
I got to my feet, my smile relaxed and uncomplicated.
“I have something I want to share,” I said as I lifted my phone to my ear.
All of the people turned to look. I started the video and increased the volume to a higher level.
I pressed the play button.
When Talia entered the basement, she locked the door behind her as if she had something vital to clean. This was the beginning of the situation, which seemed to be rather benign. It was exactly the same as what I had observed while I was at work; she moved slowly, as if she had all the time in the known universe.
I observed the folks seated at the table, their forks still in the air and their wine glasses just halfway to their lips. A frown formed on the forehead of my sister, Lauren. Derek had a grin on his face, was preoccupied, and was already stretching a hand to refill someone’s glass.
After that, the door on the side opened, and Derek entered the room.
As soon as everyone noticed Derek, the atmosphere in the room changed.
Her wine glass was only a few inches away from her lips as Derek’s mother froze. The muscles in her jaw shook.
Chad, Lauren’s husband, coughed sharply and wet into his napkin. There was a harsh sound. He was attempting to stop himself from coughing more loudly, and his face was red as he did so.
In the middle of his motion, Derek halted across the table. His gaze was glued to the television the entire time. The man did not move. His eyes did not blink.
The video was not anything I watched. It was unnecessary for me to do so. I was aware of it. The entire second.
I focused my attention on his face, observing how he drew in closer to himself. Perhaps if he were to remain sufficiently still, he could be able to leave the room without being seen. It’s possible that the table might absorb him completely.
I allowed the video to play for a sufficient amount of time. Exactly the right amount for silence to become an absolute must.
Following that, I pressed the screen once more and placed the phone on the table in the same manner as a used fork. After then, there was a silence that was not one of confusion but rather of understanding…
It had a weight attached to it.
I stated, “I’m filing for divorce,” with the same tone that I would use to declare that we were no longer in possession of milk or soap.
I maintained my composure. The end.
After then, Derek’s head suddenly turned toward me. The mouth of the man opened.
I told them, “Don’t,” “Derek, I do not want to communicate with you in any way, shape, or form. When it comes to being a spouse and a father, you are a revolting excuse.
He was staring at me. It’s possible that he was anticipating screaming or tears. The glass was flung. The problem was that I had nothing left in me to throw away.
At that moment, Ethan got up from his chair. I had a fleeting impression that he may either run away or cry.
However, he did not.
As he approached me, he introduced his hand to mine and then walked away. With a smile on my face, I gazed down at him.
“Derek,” Mrs. Mary, who is my husband’s mother, said. “You have made me feel so ashamed. Who is the nanny? Just for the love of God! In what way were you thinking? Jenna has always been exceptional in comparison to you.
“Mom,” Derek started off by saying. “I’m sorry… life just happened.”
“Stop communicating,” she commanded. Put your belongings in order and leave this house immediately. Jenna and Ethan need to be left alone.
It was Ethan who took me to his bedroom after he had pulled me aside.
“You believed me,” he claimed, his eyes widened in surprise.
“Of course, I did!” While I was gripping his hand, I informed him. “That’s why I got the camera and did everything I needed to do, baby.”
I am very sorry, Mom. I am aware that I was correct… yet the fact that I am right does not make me feel good,” he replied, looking down.
It’s true, sweetie. This is the sensation of having your heart broken. We won’t be in any danger! The promise is mine. You and I are going up against the entire planet.
One of his questions was, “What is going to happen to Talia?”
I announced, “I’m going to fire her,” and she was fired. The need for her has been eliminated. It will become clear to me. After school, you may head over to Aunt Lauren or anything like that. It is not necessary for you to be concerned about anything.
“I’m not worried, Mom,” he said with a smile.
Before we even had a chance to react, Derek entered the room.
“Jenna, Ethan,” you heard him say. “I am truly ashamed. It is not the case that…”
“Please, don’t lie, Derek,” I pleaded with him. We all witnessed it. You chose to sacrifice our marriage for something that didn’t last long. In addition, I am unable to maintain the same gaze at you. I simply am unable to. “You have shattered us.”
“Jenna, if you could, please,” requested Derek.
According to Ethan, “Mom requested that you depart.” “Please, go.”
It has been three weeks since we last spoke. No more paperwork is required. It just took a short while. Once a someone reveals their true identity to you, there is little room for further discussion.
In spite of this, Derek continues to visit Ethan on a regular basis. After that, he rings the bell. Waiting outside till I open the door, he waits for me.
He inquires about my health. My head nods. I am asked if I am getting enough rest. I am dishonest.
Books, craft kits, and eyes that are sorry are what he brings to Ethan. After five years of marriage, he continues to wear the watch that I presented to him. none he nor I ever bring up Talia, and none of us ever mentions the basement.
It was a few days after I had played the video when Talia sent me an email. It was lengthy and packed with a variety of adjectives, including broken, humiliated, and puzzled.
What she claimed was that she had no intention of it happening. According to her, it was not what it appeared to be, and she expressed her wish that I could find genuine healing.
My response was not written. I didn’t even make it through finishing it.
All is OK with Ethan now. It is easier for him to chuckle. Over time, he stopped asking me if I trust other individuals. When he goes to bed, he does not inspect the space beneath his bed or the space behind his closet.
It’s almost as if he matured in an instant.
“You were really brave, Mom,” he said to her the previous week.
I responded by saying, “So were you,” as I scooped him some ice cream with additional chocolate sauce.
Given that it was accurate. He exhibited bravery. He was aware that something was wrong, and he informed me of it, even though it would have been simpler for him to remain silent. despite the fact that the individuals he ought to have trusted also made him feel as though he couldn’t.
There are moments when I find myself wondering what would have transpired if I hadn’t paid attention to what he had to say. That is, if I had ignored him. I wish that I had placed more faith in the adults than I did in my beloved child…
Still, I did not. I had regarded it. This resulted in a complete transformation of everything.
Despite the fact that the door to the basement has been bolted shut, the camera is still present. Due to the fact that there is a mouse that is adamant in staying, it continues to deliver notifications on occasion. Hopefully, it’s only a mouse, at the very least.
However, I keep the camera there as a constant reminder that the truth does not remain hidden for an infinite amount of time and that locking doors does not imply silence.
Additionally, in the event that another individual ever forgets who the true owner of this residence is.
