He was crying so hard, I could barely make out the words he said. Though, I heard “moving” and “not see you…anymore.” I rubbed his back and held him close, a deep worry sinking into my gut.
“Preston, hey,” Amanda said, coming into the room.
She had dark circles under her eyes and wore her hair in a ponytail. She never wore her hair in a ponytail, unless she was working out. Even then, it was always perfectly styled. But she wasn’t wearing her latest pair of Lululemon leggings. Nor did she look like she’d even showered, for that matter.
“The agency didn’t call you?” She unscrewed the lid from a bottle of prescription pills and popped one in her mouth, chugging some water to swallow it.
I frowned. “What’s going on?”
I kept my arm around Theo, wanting to console him. Was it odd that he sought me out for reassurance instead of his mom? I didn’t know; I was just glad he felt safe with me.
“My husband lost his job. And…” She sucked in a harsh breath. “Our assets are being seized.”
I couldn’t help it; my eyes went wide. “What happened?”
“I’m sure you’ll see it on the news in the coming days,” she said, wiping away a few tears. “But he’s been charged with tax evasion.”
“Steve?” I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.
She nodded, waving a hand through the air. “I’m sure it’s all just a little misunderstanding. But until we get it sorted out, we won’t be needing your services anymore.”
Right. Of course.All I could do was nod.
“We so appreciate everything you’ve done for us. And Theo, clearly, adores you,” she said. “I just wish we—” She hiccupped a sob. “Well, we’re going to move in with my parents for the time being.”
“I’m sorry you’re going through a difficult time. It’s been a pleasure working for your family.”
She nodded, though she seemed a bit dazed. A bit off, somehow. I wondered what kind of pills she’d popped earlier.
“I hope you’ll find another placement soon.”
Me too,I thought.
Until then, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Though last-minute placements could—and did—happen, it was rare. Plus, being a male in this profession made it even more difficult to place me. Most families requested a female; they weren’t accustomed to the idea that a guy could be a caregiver. It had taken months to be placed at all.
But it was better than the alternative—not using an agency. I shuddered at the memory of my experience before signing up with Hartwell. The parents were so disconnected from their kids, it was heartbreaking. They were disconnected from each other. The mom flirted with me constantly and then threatened to fire me if I didn’t sleep with her. I didn’t, but the entire experience had been eye-opening.
Something like that would never happen with the Hartwell Agency. Placements might take more time, but they paid more, and they were a much better environment to work in. Hartwell vetted both potential nannies and families, and there were safeguards in place, expectations.
Theo sniffled, and I tried to focus on him instead of my fears about my own future. I hadn’t come this far to give up now. I would find a way to pay my tuition.
Theo, on the other hand, was going to lose his home, possibly his dad. And this scandal would follow them for the rest of their lives. So, I set aside my fears, my worries, and tried to do my best to reassure him.
“Hey, buddy.” I turned to look him in the eye. “It sounds like you’re going to have some new adventures. And you’re going to get to spend more time with your mommy and your grandparents. That will be nice,” I said, knowing how much he adored his grandparents.
“Will you come visit me at my new house?” he asked.
Once a placement ended, any contact had to go through the agency. Still, I needed to find a way to soften the blow. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to. But you know what?” I asked. “I will think about you every time I drive by the yellow park.” It had been one of his favorite places to go.
“The yellow park.” He nodded. “Our place.”
“That’s right.” I held out my fist. “It will always be our place.”
Instead of a fist bump, he wrapped his little arms around me, squeezing me tight. “I love you, Preston.”
A little piece of my heart shattered, and I knew I wouldn’t get it back. “Love you too, bud.” I squeezed him tight, hoping he wouldn’t forget me.
“Thank you, Preston,” Amanda said as she escorted me to the door. “Theo’s really going to miss you. We all will.”
