“I work too much. I know that. But I want my children to have the best of everything life has to offer. Honestly, I need help before I break something I can’t repair.” I paused. “Or before Billie enters the walls again.”
“Again?”
“Yes.”
“That does seem worth preventing,” she said.
The corner of my mouth lifted despite myself.
Another silence. Then Winifred said, “I’ll come tomorrow.”
I sat forward. “You will?”
“Yes.”
“To interview?”
“To assess.”
I frowned. “You want to assess the children?”
“And you.”
“Me?”
“Of course. Children do not become difficult on their own, Mr. Lawrence.”
I should’ve been offended, but I was mostly relieved.
“What time?” I asked.
“Late morning. Eleven. Just text me your address.”
“We’ll be here. Thank you, Miss Carrington.”
“Winnie,” she said. “To children.”
“And to adults?”
“That depends entirely on the adult.”
Before I could answer, the line clicked off. I lowered the phone slowly and stared at it. Then, through the glass door, I watched Billie stand, remove the goggles, and announce to the hallway, “The experiment needs more butter.”
I stood so fast that my chair rolled back into the shelves.
***
By ten forty-five the next morning, I’d already threatened to take away three privileges based on poor behavior even though I knew I’d never follow through—damn gentle parenting.
I checked my watch again. Ten forty-six. Not that I was counting.
I’d spent the morning trying to prepare the house for the arrival of a deeply traditional and mature (though she’d sounded quite young) nanny, who probably believed children should sit uprightat all times and knew how to make them do their chores by only asking once.
Unfortunately, the house had fought back.
Billie had somehow gotten jam on the banister, and Bianca had refused to put away her books, arguing that books couldn’t technically clutter a room if they were actively in rotation. CJ, smartass that he was, had attempted to explain why making the home look “too clean” could create distrust during interviews.
Now all three children stood in the foyer, looking significantly more presentable than usual.
