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She looked down at Ada and said, “Oh…someone has big ears this morning.”
Ada crossed her arms. “I don’t have big ears.”
“Well, me and your daddy are having an adult conversation. What does that mean?” Flora was good.
Ada swayed side to side and rolled her eyes. “Means I’m apposed to be quiet.”
“Supposed to. You’re supposed to go back over and watch tv and we will call you over if we need to ask you something.”
Ada turned and stomped off. “Aaada…” I said in a stern voice, but not a loud one.
“Sorry, Auntie Flora.” I have the sassiest five-year-old.
Flora smiled and said, “Thank you, Ada.” Flora turned back to me. “A nanny would help her developmentally, too. Either put her in daycare or hire someone.”
Stopping mid-chew, I contemplated the idea, but all the worst things came to mind. “Daycare is a hard no for me, Flora. I can appreciate that there are great daycare providers out there, but I’ve also seen too many horrible videos of kids getting hurt. The second she comes home with a scratch on her face, I’m going nuclear.”
Flora laughed! She was laughing at me. “Nuclear? Kids get scratches. They get hurt. It’s all a part of learning and discovery, Dean. Make a decision, ASAP.”
I grumbled in my mind, my kid doesn’t get scratches. I knew I was being unreasonable, but I had trust issues, even with mundane things. It was my kid we were talking about. If I didn’t protect her, who would? “I’ll work on it, Flora. No daycare, though. I’ll start looking into a nanny.”
She clapped her hands. “Excellent. Now, I’m outta here. I have a wedding to plan.”
“You’re not getting married for another year.”
She looked at me like I was being absurd. “I know that, Mr. McGrumpy pants, but it takes a long time to plan the wedding of your dreams. So…shut up.”
I laughed as she kissed Ada goodbye. “Bye sweet girl. Tell your daddy not to procrastinate.”
Ada looked up at her, “What’s paacasti…pacaast…” She couldn’t pronounce it.
“Procrastinate, baby. It’s when your daddy is lazy.”
“Flora!” I didn’t need her to tell my daughter I’m lazy.
“Daddy! Don’t be palazy.”
Flora laughed, turned, and walked out. “Palazy…she said,” still laughing as she left.
It was cute, but irritating. I turned to Ada and asked, “Alright, smarty. What are we doing today?”
I had to figure out the nanny stuff, and quick. Flora was a blessing, but she was building her own life and I still needed help.
Chapter 3
Dean
Flora had said she’d help me interview prospective nannies, so I put her in charge of listing the position wherever she thought we’d find a decent candidate pool. After we thought we had enough candidates, we held interviews in the dining room. Unfortunately, the candidates turned out to be awful. Each person who applied had missed the mark in a multitude of ways. Linda was the latest. I listened to Flora as Linda finished her interview.
“Thanks, Linda. We truly appreciate you coming by. We’ll be in touch either way.” I smiled briefly and shook her hand. Flora walked her to the door. Hearing the door close, Flora let out a loud sigh. “Well… she was probably the most experienced.”
“That’s because she’s a hundred years old. No. I want someone who will have enough energy to stay active with Ada.”
“She was not a hundred years old.”
I gave Flora a look of annoyance and mouthed, no.
“Fine. Well, we have one more. She’s twenty-five and worked with a family previously for five years.”
