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“Dee likes olives,” Lily said. “We had olives for a snack.”
“Eating olives might not be the same as having them in your sauce,” I pointed out.
“Where is she?”
“She’s taking a shower. If you remember, she was covered in mud.”
She giggled again. “It was so fun. She fell down. Then we were running and she fell down again and knocked me down!”
I grabbed the roll of paper towels and we both dropped to the ground to start wiping up the mud and water. While we cleaned, Lily regaled me with every detail of her outing with Dee. I loved that Lily got the chance to be totally free. She had a blast. I could honestly say I didn’t know if I would have been quite so willing to roll around in the mud.
After we finished cleaning up the mess, I started to prepare the spaghetti sauce. I added some garlic, onions, and tomatoes to the pot, and let it simmer. Lily stood on her stool and dumped the ingredients I chopped into the pan.
“Maybe next time you can come with us,” Lily suggested.
I had to laugh at the idea. “I’m not sure I like mud.”
ChapterTwelve
Deanna
Istepped into the steam-filled bathroom, closing the door behind me, shutting out the outside world. Droplets of water cascaded down from the showerhead, creating a symphony of tranquility. The events of the day played in my mind, each moment etched with exhilaration and laughter. The shower was huge. It was like the size of my bathroom in my apartment. It felt so good to have the mud washed away.
As the warm water enveloped me, I felt the grime and mud dissolve from my skin, leaving behind a sense of renewal. I let out a contented sigh, relishing the luxuriousness of the shower, a reward for the adventure-filled day I had shared with Lily. I reached for the bottle of expensive shampoo and lathered it in my hair. It smelled like strawberries. Maybe vanilla. I looked at the bottle, recognizing the brand, but only because I had seen it in magazines. I certainly never could have afforded it. My only luxury was the bubble bath I bought every couple of months.
The memory of Lily’s contagious laughter as we frolicked in the rain and mud brought a smile to my face. She had embraced the unexpected. Up until today, I felt like she’d been holding back a little, like she was afraid to let go and have fun. The splashes followed by the shrieks of joy were going to go down as some of the best memories. I was very relieved and grateful Ramsey had been equally amused by our muddy escapades.
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for Lily’s father, a man who not only entrusted me with the care of his precious daughter, but also shared in the delight of our muddy adventure. His offer to let me shower at their house and stay the night was unexpected but deeply appreciated. Truthfully, the windshield wipers only worked on one side—the driver’s side. One would think that was enough but the rain just blew over from the passenger side.
As the water washed away the remnants of mud, I couldn’t help but reflect on the bond I was forming with Lily. It was more than just a job; it was a connection I hoped grew even stronger. I had found a family who not only appreciated my role as a nanny, but seemed to be okay with my somewhat unorthodox appearance and methods.
The steam began to fill the bathroom, casting a veil of tranquility. I closed my eyes, allowing the warm water to caress my skin, soothing my tired muscles. I told myself not to take advantage of his hospitality by using up all the hot water, but I just couldn’t bring myself to leave the shower. The events of the day replayed in my mind like a cherished film reel, each frame capturing the laughter, the smiles, and the uninhibited moments of pure joy.
With a renewed sense of gratitude, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a plush towel. The damn thing was big enough to wrap around me twice. It was so soft. I could have easily worn it for the rest of the night if it wasn’t so scandalous. I glanced at the pair of sweats left by Ramsey and unfolded them. I laughed when I realized they could easily be worn as a weird fashion statement. They covered me from ankle to boob. I rolled the waistband down and pulled on the T-shirt. Thankfully, he brought in a sweatshirt as well, which I quickly put on to hide my braless boobs in the shirt. I snuggled the soft fabric of the sweatshirt against my neck, appreciating the comfort of the clothes. The sweatshirt was emblazoned with the MIT logo, which seemed fitting.
I picked up my muddy clothes and the towel and stepped into the hall. I couldn’t help but feel like I belonged. I knew it wasn’t my house and I would never actually belong, but they made me feel like I did. The gesture to invite me to stay the night spoke volumes about the kind of person Ramsey was. He was the kind of man who saw beyond the professional relationship and cared for the well-being of those around him.
I stopped in Lily’s bedroom and went to her bathroom to collect her muddy clothes as well. It didn’t make sense to do two muddy loads. I walked downstairs and could hear the soft murmurs coming from the kitchen. It was Lily and Ramsey talking and seemingly enjoying themselves. I left them to do their thing while I started the load of laundry. I felt a little like an intruder.
I quietly walked into the kitchen and was mesmerized by the scene unfolding before me. Ramsey stood at the stove, expertly stirring a pot of simmering marinara sauce, while Lily shook seasoning into the pot. The warmth of their laughter filled the air, and a pang of longing tugged at my heart.
Watching this father-daughter duo cook together, I couldn’t help but be envious. Memories of my own childhood were marred by the darkness of addiction, my parents lost in a haze of substances that consumed their lives. Instead of joyful moments like these, my childhood was spent in the revolving door of foster care, and yearning for the love and stability that seemed forever out of reach.
As I observed Lily and her father, a mix of emotions washed over me. There was a twinge of sadness, a deep longing for the parents I wished I had, but also a profound appreciation for the relationship Lily had with her dad. It was a glimpse into a world I had missed, a world where love, connection, and the simple pleasure of cooking together formed the foundation of a family.
Ramsey glanced over at me, a warm smile spreading across his face. “Would you like to join us? We have plenty of spaghetti for everyone.”
His invitation caught me off guard, momentarily pulling me out of the bittersweet reverie. I paused, hesitating for a moment before nodding with gratitude. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to me—an opportunity to be a part of a family, even if only for a fleeting moment.
“You guys go ahead.” I smiled. “You two seem to work well together. I can set the table.”
“I’ll help,” Lily said and hopped off her stool.
I was vaguely familiar with where things were in the kitchen. “It smells really good.”
“It’s our secret recipe,” Lily said with a big smile.
“Oh, that sounds intriguing.” I laughed.
