“How would I even have time to do any of tha—you know what? Never mind.” He flicked his hand, as if dismissing it all, but I didn’t miss the way his cheeks reddened.
Davina was right. He was easy to embarrass. Almost too easy, really.
“Would you be one hundred percent committed to the position?” he asked, sounding entirely fed up. “That means traveling when necessary, taking Aleesa to her classes and appointments, making sure her meals are healthy, and making sure she gets enough exercise daily.”
“I’m one hundred percent committed.”
“Good.” The word was cut and dried. “Because I expect and want the very best for her.”
“Yes, I can tell by that unicorn headband you’re wearing. Only the best of dads would willingly wear that.”
Confusion contorted his face, but when what I said registered, he reached up and snatched the headband off.
I suppressed another laugh.
“See, this is what I mean,” he exclaimed, but not too loudly for Aleesa to hear. “Nothing is taken seriously by you.”
“If that’s how you feel, why did you have me come all this way to be interviewed?”
“Because I wanted to know my options ... and see who I was really dealing with. So far, I am not impressed and am regretting that I ever asked. I do not have time for these mind games.”
Oh, boy.I leaned back in my chair just as Aleesa shot up with her Popsicle stick.
“I done!” she yelled. She rushed to the trash can and threw the stick into the bin, then she scurried my way and tugged on my N.W.A T-shirt.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Octavia,” I answered with a smile.
“Octava,” she said.
I laughed. Most kids her age struggled with my name. “How about you just call me Tavia?”
“Tava,” she said, trying to repeat.
“That works too.” I gave her a wink, and she grinned before wrapping her arms around me as best she could. Then she peered up and, once again, asked, “Can you play wif me?”
“What aboutBluey, Leesa?” Javier asked, pointing over his shoulder at the TV. He gave her a sweet smile.
“No. I wan’ play wif Tava.”
Javier looked from his daughter to me, trying his best to suppress another scowl.
I shrugged. “Kids really love me.”
With an irritated sigh, he sat up taller in his chair. “Fine. I will take you on, butonlybecause my schedule is about to get busier and I need someone to look after her right away. But if you mess up even once,Octavia, you are gone.” He raised a stern finger. “One strikeis all you will get from me. Is that clear?”
“Sir, yes sir,” I answered, giving him a mock salute.
He growled something in Spanish as he pushed out of his chair. “I leave for Boston Monday night. Since you say you can start as soon as possible, I will want you here on Sunday so that we can go over contracts and agreements. Can you do that?”
“Sure.”
“Good.” He cut a glance at Aleesa, who had managed to climb onto my lap and started playing with my locs.
“I love you hair, Tava,” she cooed, running her fingers over one of the gold jewels.
“Thank you, angel.”
