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“Plans?” she repeated.
Of course she didn’t have any plans. She spent her Saturdays trying to find that second job, which she was having no luck with. Her Caprice would die any day now and she’d be left stranded, or forced to take those horrid buses or trains downtown. The thought made her sick.
“No plans,” she shook her head.
He didn’t need to know how desperate she was, in what financial need. She was already a month late with her payment, and that was bad enough. She knew they wouldn’t wait much longer, and her poor, demented mother would be out in the street, instead of in that nice home for the elderly where they were trained to take care of people with such disabilities. It broke her heart to think that her mother might have to leave the place she’d grown to call her home for the last five years, just because her daughter wasn’t capable of making enough money to cover the expenses of that facility.
“No plans whatsoever,” she shook her head again, more fervently.
“Then, maybe you’d like to join us for a picnic today?”
His offer was a total shot in the dark. He had no idea how she would react to this, and in all honesty, neither did she. This was new territory for both of them, showing interest in someone after a long time, and neither wanted to make it uncomfortable for the other.
“For a picnic?” she repeated.
“Yes,” he quickly replied, explaining, “I planned this with Parker, but he suggested to ask you to join us and it’s actually a great idea.”
“Parker wants me there?” she asked, touched by the boy’s sweet gesture.
“He said so himself. I think if he was up now, he’d be asking you that himself.”
She thought about it for a second, wriggling her hands a little nervously. She wanted to come. Her heart fluttered at the idea, especially since Parker wanted her there. But, was it really a good idea? Should she put herself in such a position, tempting herself this way? The answer was obvious and, yet, she chose the opposite.
“Well, um, I guess I could join you, that is, if you’re OK with that,” she answered. “I know you don’t get to spend a lot of time alone with Parker and the last thing I want to do is take that time away from you.”
“You really are something, you know that?” he suddenly told her, as if revealing a secret he could barely believe himself.
“What do you mean?”
Her fidgety fingers calmed down. She wanted to hear what he had to say. What did he mean by that?
“I’ve never met anyone who is as caring as you are,” he admitted.
He sounded sweet and genuine, and she felt a sudden urge to give him a hug. There was nothing sexual about this wish, just a pure desire to enshroud another being with your warmth and show him you care, just the sound of two hearts beating together as one.
“Well, I…” she looked down, blushing a little.
She didn?
??t expect this morning to start or go this way. But, she liked it. She probably liked it more than she should have.
“Thank you,” she managed to mutter.
“There is nothing to thank me for,” he shook his head, “I’m only stating the obvious.”
“I guess that’s what makes me a good nanny,” she tried to revert to a safe topic, which in this case would be her job.
This also served as a reminder to both of them that their relationship was primarily professional, and they shouldn’t cross that boundary, under any circumstances.
“Do you have any kids of your own?” he asked.
She was a little taken aback by this. They still hadn’t discussed their private lives, but then again, this wasn’t something that private either. If she had kids, of course she would easily share this fact.
“No, not yet,” she replied, truthfully.
“But, you plan on having them?” he continued, oblivious to the fact that he might be asking something a little too personal.
“Well, of course,” she shrugged her shoulders helplessly, “everyone does, don’t they?”
