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“Do you have lots of friends?” He shakes his head and speaks.
“Only at soccer, but not at school.” He’s such a cool kid, and that makes me sad for him. I’ll reach out to some of the other nannies at the agency and see who is here for the summer. Maybe we can get him involved with some friends.
“Well, we have soccer this afternoon. And it’s so hot outside, so maybe we can do something indoors but fun until then.” I suggest. “I know there’s a pool in the building, and you have an amazing playroom with so many toys. We could take today for you to get to know me.” Nova thinks for a minute and speaks.
“Can I play Fortnite?” I know how fast that game sucks them in. “I have soccer, so I am not potato-ing.” I laugh, his father’s words coming out of that cute little mouth.
“Will you come and help me unpack my things first?” I ask him, not wanting to leave him while I go up and down to the car. “So, I can set up my room while you play. You’ll have to show me where I am going to stay. You dad ran off before he got a chance.” Nova lightens up at the idea of being in charge of something important.
“Okay, did they make you park all the way in the bottom of the bottom?” he asks me, and I smile at his description of the visitor’s parking area.
“Yeah, way down there, and I have all my bags and the things we’re going to need for school. I also packed my soccer gear, so I think I may just need a strong boy to help me bring it all in.” Nova pushes the button on the elevator, wasting no time at all, ready and eager to help me.
He is a great helper, and by the time we are done, Fortnite is forgotten, and he is digging through the box of school supplies I brought with me. He asks what we are going to learn or do with each one—he’s got an amazing little mind.
“What are we going to make for dinner tonight?” I remember we have to arrange that and don’t want to have to rush it after soccer practice.
Nova rolls his eyes, and says, “We will have to do the groceries first. I can’t do hotdogs or peanut butter again. Dad made chicken wraps last night.” He makes hand gestures like he’s gagging, and I have a bit of a laugh with him.
“That good, huh?” He shakes his head. “Shall we go do the shopping on the way to soccer?” I ask him.
“Go shop?” he asks me like I have gone crazy. “You don’t grocery shop on your phone?”
“I can, but I prefer to go into the store some days, and see what looks yum to cook.” His face lights up, and he nods. “We can go and pick out all the things you want to eat this weekend, and you can help me push the cart.” That seals the deal. I help him find his missing soccer boot and pack him a water bottle. We get ready to shop and go straight to soccer. I grab the keys, and credit card that Lance left and carry Nova’s bag.
“We don’t park in the bottom,” he says, pushing a button labeled RP1, obviously the resident’s parking area. “The people that live here get to park in the other garage,” he says, giving me a run-down of building rules as we go. When I press the key fob, a very expensive SUV lights up, and I get anxious just thinking about parking the huge thing.
As we shop, I do what I have done for all my other parents since I started. I snap some pics of Nova having fun and doing new things and share them with Lance. Parents carry loads of guilt about missing out, and I can help if they feel included in our days.
He doesn’t respond to the messages, but I know he said it was going to be rough day for him. Hopefully, it lifts his mood a bit. “Hey, let’s go to soccer before you buy the whole store,” I say, steering him to the checkout. I don’t want to be late my first time taking him. It won’t look good, no matter how much fun he is having at Whole Foods.
“I like shopping in the store, not on the phone.” He remarks as he puts his safety belt on. “There’s way more stuff in there, and I can smell and touch it.” I understand the convenience of online shopping, but kids also need to know where food comes from. It doesn’t fall from the cell phone.
“It is fun,” I say. “And you can help me cook when we get home later.” That excites him. Pulling into the car park at the sports center, I can immediately see the soccer moms, and one or two dads. Nova waves to a friend through the window, and his face lights up when they wave back. I help him change and tie his boots before he spins off to join his team for warm-up.
I hang back a little, not standing with the group of moms, who I can tell are already giving me the side eye. My money is on Lance being the most eligible soccer dad ever and them wondering who I am and if I am a threat. I’ve been to a few sporting clubs over the years. Anytime there’s a single dad—there’s a pack of cougars after him.
“Go Nova!” I cheer him on, encouraging him to get involved and play. “Pass it.” I clap for him when he makes a good pass, and step closer to the sidelines. Ignoring the very obvious gossip and whispers from the moms. Nova is a good player, and though the team could use some technical coaching, they’re not too bad. It makes me miss it, the adrenaline, matches and the spirit. I loved being part of a team.
When their coach is done handing out high-fives, he comes jogging over to where I am watching, “You all done?” I ask and look to see if the coach is finished.
“Yeah, we have a match, but he said our parents will get an email about who is on the team.” Not how it was done in my day, but okay. Nova downs his water, and he looks tired as we walk back to the car. “Today was fun,” he says, pulling his boots off and chucking them onto the floor in the car.
“I am glad you had fun. Let’s go cook dinner and get you clean. I think you are wearing more grass than they have left on the pitch.” His shorts are stained green and will take some effort to get clean.
FIVE
LANCE
I didn’t expect the pictures throughout my day but appreciated them whenever Sienna sent one. It alleviated some of my anxiety about leaving him with someone I hardly know. My annoyance level has reached peak, and by late afternoon, I am snapping at everyone who even looks my way.
“Lance,” Kim comes into my office. “Do you have a minute?” I check the clock. I don’t. It’s past dinner time, and I never miss dinner with my son. It’s one thing I don’t bend on.
“Not really. Can it wait for Monday?” I ask her as I pick up my jacket and laptop. When I turn around, I can see her expression, and it obviously can’t wait.
“I don’t want to sit on this all weekend, please.” She steps into the office and closes the door. I check the time again. “I have been here from day one, right there with you. I know you have trained me, and pushed my limits so I could be the one to take over for you.” I don’t like the sound of this—at all. “But Lance, I cannot move with the company.” The bomb has been dropped, and I am shaken. It’s out of left field and I don’t know what to do or say. “My kids, my husband. Our lives are here Lance, and it's not fair for me to make them move. I just can’t, I actually just don’t want to.” Wow, I feel like she just twisted the knife in my back deeper.
“I wasn’t expecting this,” I admit, and wonder how the hell I missed the signs. “You haven’t said anything. How am I supposed to do this without you?” She has dropped me square in the shit. She helped with this entire plan from when I made this choice. Now she wants to stay here.
