“It’s okay,” Lizette said, before he could stop Natanya, and introduced Emily, who welcomed him with a grin and a handshake.
Keeping an eye on Natanya, he asked, “May I speak with you in your office?”
Lizette’s gaze went in the same direction as his when she said, “Sure.You want to bring her with you?”
“Yes, thanks.”Turning his head, he called, “Nats, come to Daddy.”
She backed away from the wall, then put her hand into his at the exact moment Lizette pressed a button somewhere and released the door on the counter.They followed her down the passage and into her office, where she invited them to sit.
After he arranged Natanya’s bags on the other seat, he set her on his leg but she scrambled down to look at the artwork inside the office.
“It’s fine, leave her be.”Today Lizette wore a polo shirt with a snazzy logo that caught and held his attention.He averted his gaze while coming up with an apology and an explanation.
“I’m sorry about this.My daughter’s mother left her with me and isn’t back in Kingston as yet.”
His words sounded lame, but he couldn’t do better.Christy hadn’t given him any good reason for not picking up Natanya, other than to say she was still in the country.Of course, he had no way of knowing whether that was true.For all he knew, she could still be in the city since she’d moved recently.He also couldn’t say for sure whether Christy was playing games, and the thought annoyed him.
Lizette didn’t speak, so he forced himself to continue.“I know this is highly irregular, but I had to take her with me.I don’t expect her to be here free for the day.”
She ignored that and asked, “Are you sure you won’t have to bring her with you again tomorrow?”
His focus shifted to Natanya, who was still engrossed in the vivid characters.Clasping his hands, he admitted, “The truth is, I don’t.I’ll speak with her mother later today and figure out what’s what.”
Lizette studied him for a moment, then said, “Stuff happens.I’m sure you’re doing your best.”
“I guess they do.”Letting out his breath, he agreed.“I’m trying for my baby girl.”
Although her words should have brought a measure of relief, they didn’t.If he could describe how he felt in a word, it would be inadequate.But he didn’t have time to dwell on all that wasn’t going according to plan.His attention now had to be on providing the service he’d promised to give Lizette.
Standing from the seat, she said, “Let’s see if we can get her settled without you.”
Lizette walked to where Natanya stood and held out one hand.“Come with me to Auntie Emily.She’ll put you in a group where you can have some fun.”
When Natanya turned to face him, Shomari said, “It’s okay.I’m not leaving.”
“Give me her things,” Lizette said and took them before heading to the doorway.
Alone, he ran through all the choice words he’d say to Christy when she finally turned up.Since she owned her business, she was at liberty to decide when she serviced her clients, and that worried him.It could be days before she showed up, if she had a mind to take an extended holiday.But why would she do that, knowing she’d put him in his current situation?She didn’t know where he was staying and hadn’t asked.
Instead of wasting brain power on questions he couldn’t answer, Shomari said a prayer.It calmed him and prevented thoughts of every unholy word he wanted to spew, but couldn’t.He was so deep inside his head, he didn’t hear when the door closed, but looked up when Lizette’s delicate perfume alerted him that she was near.The scent was simultaneously powdery and floral, with a hint of light musk.He liked it because, somehow, it was like her.Tough in handling her business and yet delicate at the same time.
She settled into her chair and pulled a file jacket closer.
“Am I still hired?”he asked.
Leaning back in the seat, she tapped a pencil on the desk, then said, “What do you think?”
“My situation isn’t exactly conducive to the start of a good employer/employee relationship, so …” He shrugged.“I had to ask.”
“Don’t worry about it.The fact that you mentioned the cost you might incur tells me you have a functional conscience.”She laid the pencil down and sighed.“I’ve worked with children during my entire career, so trust me when I say, I know the unexpected happens.If your family life doesn’t affect your performance, all is well.But with that said, I’m no pushover, so don’t even think about taking advantage.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but changed his mind.She’d already accommodated him more than most employers would have, and the twins had already told him she was a stickler for details and hardly let anything slip.Yet, she’d given him grace.He owed her.A lot.
“Thanks.I appreciate you.”
Lizette angled her head toward him and searched his eyes, as if checking whether he was sincere.Softly, she said, “You’re more than welcome.”
Try as he might, he couldn’t tear his gaze from her.When he realized how staring at her could be misconstrued, he cleared his throat and asked, “Can I have a copy of that course outline you showed me?”
