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To keep Theo occupied, I fetch the activity book I always carry around in case we find ourselves somewhere he’s going to get bored. I recently showed him how to do word searches. It helps to occupy his time and help him recognize letters and words since I tell him what each word is before he searches for it.
My mom returns with our waters and takes our orders before disappearing into the back. Per usual, she returns shortly after and pulls up a chair. She usually tries to visit while our meal is being prepared. Today she’s lucky to have help.
“How was your visit to Los Angeles?” she asks.
“It was fun. I’ve never been to a professional football game before, so it was an interesting experience. Even though it was only a preseason game, I can’t believe how into it the fans get.”
She responds in Korean, “I can’t believe that man would pay to fly you and his son out there. Waste of money if you ask me.”
I speak Korean as well. “Father and son enjoy spending time together. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
She shrugs in an “if you say so” gesture.
Theo looks up from his activity book. “What are you guys saying?”
“I was just telling my mom about our trip to watch your dad’s game.”
He looks at my mom. “It was so much fun! That was the first time I got to see him play far away.”
My mom gives him a halfhearted smile then points at his book as though he should get back to work. Sometimes it feels as though she’s uncomfortable interacting with children, like maybe she doesn’t know how.
Theo, being a good-natured boy whose attention is easily diverted, does just that.
“When are you going to give up this silly job and go back to school?” my mom asks, as she does every time I see her.
I glance at Theo, who’s concentrating on his word search and doesn’t seem to have heard her now that she’s speaking English. Probably so the other Korean families in the restaurant don’t hear. Just in case, I take out my earbuds and his tablet.
“How about someHey, Arnold?”
Theo looks as if I just said it’s Christmas morning. I never usually allow him to watch television at restaurants, but my mom and I are about to get into it. He shouldn’t have to hear any of that.
Once he’s settled, I respond to her. “I don’t know how many times I can tell you that’s not going to happen before you’ll believe me. I don’t want to be a lawyer. I never really did.”
“Instead, you drive around a bunch of rich people’s kids for them. You could be the rich person if you went back to school.”
My hands form into fists on the table. “I understand that money is important, but it’s not the only route to happiness. I want to love what I do and enjoy my work every day. Besides, I make a good living as a nanny. In another six months or so, I should have enough for my down payment to look for my own place.”
“A lawyer is respected. A doctor is respected. This nanny job isn’t for a well-educated woman.”
It takes me half a minute of deep breaths to calm myself enough to respond. “Maybe not to you, but I’d like to think the families I help respect me.”
Theo’s little voice pipes up. “Violet’s the best nanny. I have so much fun with her.”
So much for the earbuds. Tears form in my eyes. This sweet little boy is trying to stick up for me.
I can’t help but squeeze his hand. That’s when I notice he hasHey, Arnoldon pause and he was eavesdropping on our conversation. He gives me a big smile. It’s so filled with innocence, like he believes his words and his smile can fix years of heartache, that I could weep.
“Thank you, Theo.”
He nods and looks back down at his tablet.
Not wanting to continue this conversation in front of him, I change the subject. “I spoke with Eric last week. Heard he’s decided to put his proposal off until New Year’s Eve.”
As expected, my mom’s face lights up. “Isn’t that such a great idea?”
Yeah, real original.“Such a great idea.” I strain to smile. “Have you seen the ring?”
She nods. “He sent me a picture. It’s so big. But that’s what you get on a doctor’s salary, I suppose.”
