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“I’ll check for you.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Maybe someone moved and something would open up. I wasn’t in a hurry for her to go, but everyone seemed to think that you needed to go to preschool a year or two before kindergarten. Being a single dad, I hadn’t thought about it early enough, and Felicia hadn’t mentioned it.
The longer Felicia was away, the less she called in to check on what Maggie was doing. It felt like she cared a little less each time I talked to her, and I wondered if Maggie felt that way too. Hopefully, she was still too little to understand what was going on.
Eventually, she’d ask why her mother didn’t live with her, or even in the same state. I wasn’t prepared for that day. So far, it had been easy to put her off the topic. Saying her mom needed to work was sufficient. But as she got older, she’d get more sophisticated and wonder why I could be home with her and her mother couldn’t.
Maggie kept up a steady stream of everything they’d done that day—Amelia’s preschool, then the library, a picnic lunch at the park, and some quiet time playing with dolls in the afternoon.
Pleased, I said, “It sounds like you had a great day.”
“It was fun,” Maggie said.
It was obvious Maggie adored Alice. I was so grateful Elle had mentioned her sister and got me in touch with her.
After we finished eating, Alice reminded Maggie to clear her dish. When Maggie said, “Fine,” and cleared it without too much pouting, Alice said, “I hope you don’t mind. I’m trying to give her little chores to do.”
“It’s great. I tend to cave and do it myself.”
“It’s tough when you’re the parent, but she’s so proud to be a big girl with responsibilities.”
Maggie returned, asking to watch a show, and I told her yes. When she left the room and I heard the TV go on, I said, “Thank you for watching her. It sounds like Maggie had a great day.” Some of the nannies stayed home with Maggie all day. There was nothing wrong with that, and it made sense when she was little. But it was nice that Alice had taken her to so many places. She’d given her the perfect day. I certainly felt less guilty about having to work, even if I wished I could spend that time with her.
“I’m going to let you have some time together.” Alice moved to leave the room, and I rested my hand on her arm, stopping her.
“Do you think we could talk after Maggie goes to bed?”
Alice didn’t meet my gaze. “Of course.”
“It’s nothing bad. I just realized we didn’t discuss everything we should have. Hours, your responsibilities, salary.”
Her shoulders lowered. “I can do that.”
Maggie was exhausted from the busy day, so I took her to do her bath early and settled into bed for books. When she was droopy-eyed, I dropped a kiss on her forehead and tucked her in. “Thank you for bringing me Miss Alice.”
Stuffing my hands into my pockets, I asked, “You like her?”
Maggie’s eyes popped open. “I think I wuv her.”
As sweet as that was, I wondered if she was grasping on to anyone as a mother figure, since hers was absent most of the time. Patting her hand, I said, “That’s sweet.”
With one last kiss to her forehead, I headed into the kitchen to find Alice seated at the island. “You wanted to talk?”
“I just wanted to go over a few things.” I stood on the other side of the counter, bracing my hands on the edge. “Is it okay if I shower when I get home? I don’t want to assume anything. The other nannies left as soon as I arrived.”
“That’s what I’m here for. To make your life easier.”
“I don’t want to take advantage of you being here full time. You still get time off. You’re not expected to cook or join us for dinner, but you’re welcome to.”
“Sometimes I’ll want to eat at my sister’s.”
“You’re free to do whatever you need to in the evenings and on the weekends.” Now, how to broach the subject of bringing friends home?
I let out a breath and dove in. “I just wanted to be clear that you shouldn’t be bringing friends around Maggie.”
“I was hoping we could meet some other kids at the library or the park and set up playdates.”
I shook my head. “I wasn’t talking about that.”
