Why am I babysitting for you?

This is a question I ask myself a lot. Sure we might have been friends in grade school, high school or even since birth. When you ask for free babysitting, do not think that just being exposed to the charm of your child is enough reward, though it can be a sort of reward at times. Laughter is the best medicine you know... When seeking free babysitting, there has to be a trade off.
I have a friend whom I trust with my children though she has no children of her own. When I ask her to babysit she only says yes if she really wants to. Whats her benefit? I have a big house and family, I have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. She knows, as my close friend, that she is more than welcome to inherit anything in my crafting room. Or my kitchen for that matter. When she wants to do brunch with a couple friends she can come borrow my waffle iron without feeling like she has to invite me, or having to buy a new appliance she would otherwise rarely use. I know its sort of a strange friendship but it works for us.

 Another way to look at this question is .<why is my keyboard so noisy? its about to wake up the children!>
Oh, woops! sorry about that.. back to the question.
Often friends and more often relatives ask if I can babysit while they, um, lets say, they're going to a Dr appointment. Something very viable, it is a need, so I feel a bit more obligated to say yes. Well I shouldn't say that, I feel more like its a worthy cause, my time vs your health. Its just what friends and family do, right?
When you drop off your children, your honest Abe 6 year old (most 6 year olds are so-o-o honest) observes that he is going to be bored without his stuff cuz he has to stay here ALL day, clear until 7 tonight. That you have a lot of shopping to do before his grandpas birthday next week.  Huh? When you asked you said that you were going to the Dr for a checkup, that it won't take longer than 1 hour, 2 at most.
So what's really up? At first I pass it off as children saying whatever comes into their minds. Then the time passes, indeed, he IS bored. The projects I prepared for the possible 2 hour stay are long finished, its been 3 hours. Where are you?
There are now 2 headless dolls in the playroom, your son was WAY too bored, and it was great fun to torment my 7 year old girls, oh boy they can scream!
I call your cell phone, you answer stating you are so sorry and you are on your way right now, got held up in the Dr's office, he had an emergency! I think "Oh great, there are only so many dolls left, good thing your Dr's office is only a 10 minute drive from here". Right? WRONG!
One thing after another you say things came up, and indeed, you get back at 7 o'clock...
You call and ask if I'll send your children out because your ankle was twisted while rushing through the pharmacy.
So I gather up their things, take them by the hand and walk out to your mini van. There are lots of shopping bags in the backseat, I silently observe your newly pedicured foot taping to the lively beat playing in your van.
You say "Oh, you shouldn't have, he could have made it out here by himself" smiling so big, sickly sweet, and nervously.

So tell my, why am I babysitting for you? If you can't be honest with me, why would you trust me with your precious children? We did have a good day, after you'd been gone the 3 hours past I realized he must have overheard your 'strategic' planning and I was glad he told me. It made so I could plan better constructive activities.
But I will miss him. I hope he is still the same sweet honest, doll breaking boy when I consent to babysit for you again, in a year. It always takes me that long to forget how this day went.

Have a happy life dear! See you at Grandpa's Birthday Bash! What? Oh no, don't worry about sending an invite, your son already invited me!