I'm a Bad Mommy

I had wanted a virtual pet from the first time I heard they existed. Unfortunately, so did everyone else. I tried to find one but they were sold out everywhere. I finally found a place that carried a knockoff called the Tamagotchen, but they wanted $19.99 for it. What a rip off! If I was going to pay that, I wanted the real thing.

I am the Queen of Indecision.

I wavered between desire and contempt. "Oh God! I want one so badly. It isn't fair!" "Phhfft! I wouldn't have one. I'd be bored with it in an hour." I almost went and bought the fake pet.

My friend Jeni, even though she didn't know me very well at the time, was nice enough to let me babysit her GigaPet Virtual Alien while she went on vacation. L'il Jojo (aka Needy Little Bastard) was born. And I kept $20 in my pocket.

At first, I was a devoted and caring mother. No bleep went unheard. But then, the weekend was over and I went back to work. The big boss man likes it when it's all work and no play so Jojo stayed in my backpack for most of the day. I had to resort to feeding and playing with him when I was on a bathroom break!

Needless to say, if it had been a real child, someone would have called Social Services on me. Jojo spent a lot of time flailing around in his own poo. Everyday when he sang his birthday song, it almost sounded like a victory one. "Hurrah! I'm alive for another day!"

The weekend came around again and I was determined to make it up to Jojo by bowing to his every whim. But then Alex (of Puppies-n-Kitties fame!)called and said "Let's go to a movie!" and of course, I went. By the time the movie was over, L'il Jojo was asleep by a pile of his poo and could not be awakened.

I felt really bad. But not bad enough to keep me from sleeping which is what I did next.

The next morning I heard him bleep out his "Good Morning" song, his "Hey! Pay Attention to Me!" song, and his indignant beep. I kept right on sleeping. Finally, I heard a horrible noise. It was his Swan song. I reached over and picked him up off the floor only to see him die and turn into a angel. He was only eight days old.

I'm a bad mommy.

I'm not sure if I still want a virtual pet. I'm tempted to get a Kitty one. But I think I'll wait until the fever is over so I don't get pummeled by a bunch of bratty kids and their equally bratty parents.