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“I won’t,” Anna shakes her head, and I hope she isn’t crossing her fingers behind her back.
Jane’s office is spacious and well lit. Aside from the desk and chairs, a very large printer and computer, there’s an area for kids to play, and a big shelf full of books.
“Please, take a seat,” Jane says, taking her seat behind the desk.
And I take a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk, while Anna looks longingly at the toy chest in the corner.
“Go play, Anna!” Jane shoos her towards the toys, and Anna doesn’t have to be told twice.
Jane then turns to me, her chin resting on her hands, and her elbows over the table. “So, what brings you here?”
I shrug, and spread my hands out to the sides, “This is an unofficial visit. We just came to pass the time a little, though Anna does seem very interested in the art classes.”
“Oh!” Jane’s smile lights up her face, “Our art program is amazing, and we do have classes for her age.”
She gets me a pair of brochures, one talking about the center in general, and the other just about the art programs.
“Take these to Logan. Maybeyoucan convince him,” she says, nonchalantly.
“Why?” I ask with confusion, “Have you already tried, and he said no?”
“Yes,” Jane says in an exhale. “He says she’s too young to care about after school activities.”
I look at my phone again, and he still has sent no reply about the video I sent earlier.
“Is your brother a bit,” I get embarrassed, unsure if I want to continue. “A bit of an absent father?”
She seems shocked to see me passing judgment on her brother. Slightly red in the cheeks, she goes to his defense, “He’s a workaholic, but he does what he can,” she says, “He’s always working late and weekends, and that’s why he hired you.”
I smile and drop the subject, not wanting to cause an argument. I also have flashbacks to her telling me what it was like growing up. Her parents had passed away in a car accident when she was six. Her brother, Mr. Bardin, had taken care of her and made sure she was provided for, but he’d hired a nanny for her too.
“How’s work going?” she asks me.
I look to the side and see Anna destroying a wall of colorful plastic blocks with a toy train in her hand. I then turn back to Jane to answer her question.
“It’s good,” I say with cheer. “I adore Anna!”
Jane narrows her eyes, and then taps me on my hand, looking devious.
“You always say things are fine. C’mon, tell the truth!”
I soul search for a second, trying to find any hidden truths there, but I really am happy about this job.
“It is the truth, Jane!” I say in my most convincing tone. “I have a job, it pays me well, and I’m truly happy.”
She just shakes her head, looking at me as if I am some hopeless basket case. “This is why I love you, girl. You’re always happy.”
My heart beams with even more happiness when she says that, and I wonder why her face has suddenly turned somber.
“I didn’t show you the video I made of Anna, did I?” I ask Jane, my phone in my hand, wanting to put a smile on Jane’s face.
She looks at me and says, “I know you are just trying to make me feel better. The truth is, I was just thinking about what it was like growing up after...”
I take her hand and nod, letting her know I understand so she doesn’t have to say the words.
She nods and closes her eyes. “Logan was so busy then and I barely ever got to see him. I mean, he did transfer to college here so he could be close. I had later read my parent’s wishes when I got older and it had stated if anything would happen, they were clear they wanted him to take responsibility of me and…”
Her voice chokes up before continuing. “And he did. He always stayed on me about grades and came to my parent/teacher conferences. But I can’t help feeling like I understand a bit how Anna feels in an odd way.”
