Page 11 of Blue Sky

Huevos Rancheros

Beck went to his bedroom and I couldn’t help but stare at him as he walked away.

From his sky-blue eyes to that rock-hard body of his that couldn’t be hidden under his black T-shirt and grey sweat pants, Beck was complete perfection. And he was all man. Sure, I had had crushes on high school boys, but nothing had come of them besides sloppy kisses and late night unsatisfying liaisons in the back seats of their jalopies. I imagined making love to Beck would be different. He was older, he was masculine. He was in control.

And he was also kind and thoughtful. He had credited his decision to give someone in this town a life changing job to his wife. He could deflect all he wanted. I knew he was a good man.

I would make sure that Beck didn’t regret hiring me for one second. This place would be spotless, there would be three home-cooked meals a day, and his baby would be spoiled. After ten weeks, he wouldn’t know how to live without me. Too bad I’d be living my life in San Diego.

My nerves rattled. First night alone in this home with Beck and Sky. And I couldn’t quit worrying about my sisters. Ana María cried when I left her at my uncle’s place. I hoped they’d be okay there. I just prayed he wouldn’t get drunk and go on one of his rampages.

But what could I do? I felt so helpless. I had to make this job work, so I could give them a better life.

I cradled this beautiful baby girl in my arms.

“Sky, you are such a happy baby. Yes, you are! Look at those toes!”

She had these fat little cheeks and the brightest smile. She was so lucky to have such a loving daddy who adored her. The pang in my heart hurt even more, not knowing if my own father even knew I existed. I wasn’t sure how, but one day I would learn his identity.

Sky yawned so I went to her room, changed her, gave her a kiss goodnight, and placed her into her crib. I was delighted when she barely fussed and drifted to sleep.

I couldn’t believe I was getting paid for this. I’d do it for free!

I left the room and considered turning in, but I wasn’t ready to crash yet. I walked around the kitchen and noticed that the floors were a bit dirty, so I grabbed a mop, poured some liquid soap into the bucket under the sink and scrubbed the floors.

I had always enjoyed cleaning. Since I’d never owned anything nice, I liked to keep the few things I had in great shape. I couldn’t understand why so many people spent money on a gorgeous home yet kept it dirty.

After I finished with the floors, curiosity got the best of me; I had to see a picture of his wife.

I grabbed a towel to dust and stopped the second I saw a picture of his wife, Catherine. He had said her name tonight, and the tone in his voice had crushed me.

She had white blonde hair, like her daughter, and big brown eyes. Her skin was flawless, and her smile was warm. So gorgeous and super happy. At least it looked like she’d always lived a dream life.

When did she die? How did she die? Was it from a disease like cancer or from complications during Sky’s birth? Whatever the cause, it was completely tragic.

I continued my fight against the dust bunnies and ended up at their wedding picture, which was in a frame on the mantle. Wow, it looked like a fairy tale. All the groomsmen were dressed in their white uniforms, holding swords above Beck and Catherine, who were kissing under the arch. Catherine’s gown was long and flowing, and Beck was clean shaven and handsome in his uniform. They looked like the perfect couple. Truly in love.

He must’ve been my age in that picture.

I couldn’t imagine being in love, let alone marrying, so young. But we clearly came from very different backgrounds and led completely different lives.

With my mind pondering their life, I went back to my own room.

My own room!

I couldn’t believe it. I had always slept with my sisters. I didn’t even know what privacy was.

I changed into my pajamas and placed the baby monitor next to my bed. I set my alarm for four-thirty a.m. and drifted to sleep.

When the alarm went off, I woke, complete refreshed but panicked. Had I not heard Sky? I hope she hadn’t woken in the middle of the night and I hadn’t heard her. What if Beck had to get up with her? He would fire me for sure.

I quickly changed and rushed into her room. She was still miraculously asleep. I went back to my bedroom and brushed my teeth. And though I normally kept my hair up in a tight ponytail, I brushed it out, the waves cascading against my chest. Mónica had packed a cosmetic bag for me. And for the second time in recent memory, I decided to put on some makeup. I washed my face, dabbed on some tinted moisturizer, curled my eyelashes, rolled the mascara wand on them, and put on a light lip gloss.

Now, it was time to cook breakfast.

I took the monitor to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. After a quick survey of the refrigerator, I realized I didn’t have too many options. Clearly a bachelor, or in this case, a widower, lived here. We definitely needed to go grocery shopping later today.

But I would make do with what I had.