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I didn’t wait for a response. Instead, I turned and walked out of the room to go find solace in my office.
I buried myself in paperwork for the rest of the day, trying not to think about the incident. I’d been far too short with her, far too critical. It was her first day, and I hadn’t even taken the time to help get her set up and to explain how my kids could be. She went in completely blind. But I’d been an absolute ass and had possibly ruined this before she ever had a chance to even settle in.
If the kids didn’t drive her away, there was a real danger I might.
Chapter Five
Haley
I couldn’t believe I’d actually let them get one over on me so quickly, and I was super embarrassed by the way James had handled it. He’d dressed me down in front of the kids, which was the last thing a new nanny needs. I needed him to be supportive and show the kids that I was an authority figure. Instead, he showed them that I was subject to his commands and that I didn’t have any power of my own. No wonder all the other nannies had quit. The kids had no respect for them because he didn’t.
It was like the classic situation of a parent cursing and then telling the kids it’s not okay to say bad words. The second an adult makes something okay in front of kids–that’s it.
“I’m so sorry…” I tried to say as he turned his back on me and left. But he likely didn’t hear me in his rush to do whatever itwas he did all day. I turned to the kids, who were looking a little afraid and a little curious.
As well they should be, I thought to myself. The little shits had gotten me in trouble my first day before I’d even had a chance to really see the place. At least I knew what kind of man I’d be working for. But I’d worked for worse. Hollywood moms are seriously problematic and such control freaks. You can never get paid enough to nanny for the semi-famous.
“You heard your dad,” I said to them as they waited. “Let's sit at the table and get on that homework, guys.”
At first, the kids didn’t move, still gawking at me like I was some animal at the circus. But the minute I took a step forward, they all scrambled up and grabbed their school bags.
I had to admit that helping three kids with different schoolwork was a challenge. Not that I couldn’t handle it, but it did make me a little disoriented. Leann was working on social studies while Ben was learning long division. Meanwhile, Katie was singing her ABCs so loudly that I had to whisper out loud to think.
I was fine. The first days were always a little chaotic. We’d be singing at an Austrian music festival in no time just like the Sound of Music family.
The mood changed, though, when Leann spoke. “My daddy yelled at you.”
Great. I always loved when kids wanted me to explain why their parents were assholes.
“He wasn’t yelling,” I said. “He was just in a hurry.”
“No,” she replied, still drawing on her map. “He was yelling. He does it all the time.”
Yikes, I thought to myself.If the kids are already airing Dad’s dirty laundry this early in the game, I wonder what they tell people they really know.
“Your dad has a stressful job,” I said to her. It was the best reply I could think of. “Maybe he just needs a little extra love. You could give him a hug when he gets home.”
Leann nodded, and Katie looked up, clapping her hands. “I want to give him a hug too.”
Finally, I smiled for the first time since I’d arrived. “I’m sure your dad will let each of you hug him. What about you, Ben?”
Ben looked up at me like I’d said the most annoying thing he’d ever heard. “I don’t care.”
I would never admit it to them, but I loved when little kids had grownup-sized attitudes, and it took everything in me not to burst out laughing. “Oh, okay then,” I said. “No pressure.”
Ben nodded as if to agree with me and returned to his math.
“Look, if you guys get this stuff done fast, we can all play a game together,” I said.
“But I want to play my video game,” Leann said, crossing her little arms across her chest. “My daddy lets me.”
“Nuh-uh,” I said, waving my finger. “I’m not falling for that. We will all play a game together because you guys lied to me and got me in trouble.”
“IknewDaddy was yelling at you,” said Leann with glee.
Damnit. I just played myself right into that. Leann was a clever little fox that I would have to watch out for. Now I had to double down and make sure she knew I was the one in charge, and that while her dad might be my boss, I was still the one calling the shots when he wasn’t around.
“Look,” I said, crossing my arms and giving them a no-nonsense look. “We’re gonna play a game together once we are done with our homework. Then we will get a snack, and then… well I don’t know what, but we will decide then.”
