I caught Highland’s smirk as he left me standing there confused about what caused the shift with him.
After packing for the trip,I started the process of trying to set up a job posting, looking for another cuddle therapist. Byrdie was right about one thing; I could still keep my private practice if I just hired a cuddler to handle the heavy lifting for me. The only problem was finding them. I wasn’t even sure if another one was local in the Falls or not. Not to mention, I honestly had no idea how to be someone’s boss.
Olive, you’re already your own boss, so you got experience. Plus Tunk.
Tunk was a different type of employee. I paid a security company to handle the business side of all of that. All I did was cut a check monthly.
This would be taking on the responsibility of someone else’s ethics and safety. I would have to offer healthcare, great benefits, and an even better pay range.
Can you afford that?
You’ll have to increase clients. Maybe more state care cases. Their insurance always pays more.
Which was another thing. I would probably have to increase my rates to ensure that not only did I get paid, but my cuddler as well. Currently, my out of pocket clients paid between one hundred and two hundred dollars per session. I knew the risk of raising the fee, but it was the only way I could see this working. I nibbled on my bottom lip as I began to write down everything that I’d have to factor in as far as salary and health insurance. I still couldn’t believe that I was even looking at the process of replacing myself in my position at my company, but I couldn’t take being without Highland anymore. Too many days and nights and I wanted to be back under my man.
“Mommy, we’re bored.” I looked up to see Cece and Jo-Jo now lingering around the kitchen table with these long ass faces and Neela slowly trailing in behind them, holding onto a baby doll I had gotten her the other day.
“Bored? Between all the board and video games and outside toys you have, ain’t no way that y’all are bored. How about you read a book? Or color me a picture.” I wanted to finish my new business plan so I could at least tell Highland I was working on it for us.
“We did all that,” Jo-Jo whined, making me tilt my head as I smirked at his lying ass.
“Well I have to work so I can make our money. How about y’all watch a movie or something? I can put one on for y’all. Ooh,yeah, that new one with the little blue people should be playing now. Does that sound like fun?”
“Mommy, why do you have to work and make the money too? Daddy makes a lot of money already, you can just spend his so you can play with us.” I let out a high pitched cackle before I covered my mouth at Cece’s words.
“Because we have two houses and that costs us twice the money. I don’t want your daddy to pay for everything by himself. I like to help him out,” I said as I thought about how my words would have Highland cussing me out. If he had his way, he would pay for both houses and everything me and these kids needed and wanted. Hence why that man thought I would just up and quit my job without another one waiting for me.
“Why do we have two houses? Now that you’re our mommy, shouldn’t we all live in one house, like a real family?” Cece asked. I swear I had to constantly remind myself that she was seven because some of the things this girl said were far too advanced sometimes.
“Not all mommies and daddies live together. That doesn’t mean they’re not your mommy or daddy though or that we aren’t family. Isn’t that right, Jo-Jo?” I recruited him to co-sign with me since Jasiel had never lived with us.
He nodded but even he was giving me a quizzical look, as if he too was wondering why we all didn’t live together.
I’m working on it y’all.
Which I was, I just needed to figure my shit out. There was no way I was losing Highland over my position at my job. I was so stressed out about us that my period was late as hell. I had to get us back so my body could relax and regulate itself.
“Anyway, so Mommy has to finish this so I can buy y’all everything you want. Summer isn’t over, we still have a lot to do. Jo-Jo, don’t you want to go to the beach?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay, then that takes me working to make money.”
“Mommy, can we help make money too?” Jo-Jo asked, sounding too eager to enter the labor force at his young age.
“Ooh yeah, we can,” Cece chimed in, just as enthusiastic as Jo-Jo with her little browns wide with excitement.
I sat back and crossed my arms, preparing myself to entertain this idea.
“And how do you plan to make money? You need a business idea and a plan to execute it. Like how your daddy is the captain of his ships and the ferry. And I have my own business. What do y’all plan to do for your business?” By now, Neela was making her way into my space, trying to climb into my lap. I glanced at the time on my laptop to see it was close to the time she had been taking her naps, so I knew she would be out as soon as she laid her head on my chest.
I listened to Jo-Jo and Cece go back and forth over their different ideas while I rocked Neela in my arms.
Five minutes later, Cece spoke up, acting as their campaign manager. It was cute.
“Okay, Mommy, we decided on a lemonade stand. We can make lemonade and charge the people in the neighborhood. That way you and Daddy don’t have to work so hard and you can play with us more.” I smiled while I thought about her words.
While you’re cooking bacon, Olive, make lemonade.
