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They’re a picture-perfect couple, both rich honey blondes with crystal blue eyes and tailored clothes in matching navy and cream. As I hold Violet in her baby sling against my chest, confusion takes over. Mom didn’t say a word on the phone about having guests to eat lunch with us.
“Hey, Mama,” I say. I press a kiss to her temple. I’m glad that she’s looking better these days. The sight of her looking healthy and standing straight eases some of my anxiety. “I didn’t realize you were bringing friends…?”
She waves a hand at me before either of the pair can say a word. “We’ll talk about it when we sit. Come on.”
She already has a table ready for us. I walk side by side with the couple, who keep exchanging excited glances with each other. Something about it sets me on edge. I feel like I’m observing an in-joke from the outside.
I can practically feel their nervy vibrations as we sit. Mom smiles at me, encouraging. “Jeremy, Priscilla, this is my daughter, Olivia. Olivia, this is Jeremy and Priscilla. Priscilla is Annabelle’s daughter and Jeremy is her husband.”
“The Annabelle who made that pecan pie last Christmas?” She and my mother have been friends for a few years now, having met through an MS support group.
“Yep, her!” Mom beams.
“We’re so excited to meet you!” Priscilla finally gushes. “Lisa’s told us so much about you. Is this the little one you nanny?”
Her attention turns to Violet. I don’t know why, but a protective flare in my chest has me holding her closer to me.
“This is her. Her name is Violet.”
“She’s a beauty,” Jeremy speaks up. While his voice is more reserved than Priscilla’s, he’s clearly just as excited as she is.
“Thank you.”
“Lisa tells us that you’ve been nannying for nearly ten years. That’s quite impressive for a woman so young, too,” Jeremy continues. “And you watch after young children?”
“I’ve nannied from toddlers to young teens. If I may ask, um, why the interest?”
Jeremy and Priscilla exchange a look. “Well,” Priscilla goes on, “we recently had another baby. We have a five-year-old and now a newborn. But with our jobs?—”
“I’m a banker and Priscilla is a lab director,” Jeremy cuts in by way of explanation.
“Yes, with our jobs, it leaves us busy, and we were looking for a little help. When Mom told us that she had a friend whose daughter nannied, we were immediately excited.”
“Priscilla isn’t keen on strangers, you see,” adds Jeremy. “But if you’ve got Annabelle’s approval, you have ours.”
It takes me a moment to register their back and forth. When the realization hits me, it’s like a ten-ton bag of bricks descending right on top of my skull. “I think there’s been a mistake?—”
My mom clears her throat. “Olivia’s just about to wrap up the work she has with Violet’s father. Isn’t that right, Liv, dear?”
I give my mother a narrowed look. “I’m not sure about that, Mom. Besides… caring for Violet is a special case. I’m not actually working as a nanny anymore.”
“Oh, why is that?” Priscilla asks, curious. “I was under the impression this was your passion?”
I wince. “I’m taking a, uh… a slightly different turn in my career path.”
“It’s just a little break,” my mother offers.
“But a permanent one. I’m very sorry for the confusion, but I’m not taking on new nannying clients.” I’m proud that my voice comes out firm and unwavering, even as I’m glaring daggers at my mom.
Jeremy and Priscilla exchange confused looks. Honestly, I feel sorry for them. They seem like nice people who’ve just had their hopes and time wasted.
Without saying anything else, I stand up. “I need to get this little girl home. I’m sorry again for wasting your time.”
Mom follows me out to the parking lot. I’m glad that she waits until we’re outside to lay into me.
“Olivia! What the hell are you thinking?!”
Mom never cusses. If the situation was different, I’d feel bad for putting her in the mood that made her do so. But right now, I’m the one who feels like aiming a few choice words at her.
