“Well, yes.” I swallowed. “They also want me to drive her to her therapies. Starting Monday, I’ll be there between seven and four every weekday. But you don’t have to worry,” I hastened to add. “The brother is there, so I should still be able to go with you to your doctor appointments, and anything you need—”
“It’s not my doctor appointments I worry about. Jessie. It sounds like they want you to be her nanny.”
“It’s more of a tutor.” But as soon as the words left my mouth, I knew Mom was right.
“Weren’t they between nannies when we ran into them last April as well?”
“It’s hard to find people who understand Jade’s needs.” I opened the fridge and studied its contents like a math test. “I know her, though, and now that I’m on summer break, it only makes sense to help her. And they’re paying me enough to pay for the rest of my master’s degree.” I took a deep breath. “Why? Do you think I shouldn’t?”
“It’s not that I don’t want you to help her. Or to finance your degree.” She grabbed a knife and began chopping pecans. “It’s more…” She set the knife down and shook her head. “I don’t—”
“If this is about your doctor’s appointments, like I said, I can still drive you to all of them,” I said in a rush. “Jade’s brother won’t mind at all, I’m sure. And—”
“Jessie, I can drive myself just fine. I’m fifty-four, not dead.” My mom reached out and took my hand. Her mouth was set in a line, and her forehead puckered slightly.
Oh no. Here came the dreadedIt’s just.
“It’s just,” my mother said softly, “you work yourself so hard all the time. Your father and I were kind of hoping you could just have a summer to enjoy yourself.”
“I enjoy being with Jade.”
“I don’t doubt that. But you nearly worked yourself to death to get your bachelor’s degree. And your license. And last year, you spent the entire summer setting up your classroom.” My mom shrugged. “We were hoping to have some time together where you could just let down.” Her voice softened slightly. “We were even looking into some vacation destinations we thought you might enjoy.”
My heart fell. I should have expected something like this, especially after finding the Busch Gardens brochure in my father’s office.
“Maybe…maybe we can still take a fun vacation together.” I forced a little chuckle. “Jade’s older brother doesn’t even want me to watch her. Maybe I can grant his wish for a few weeks with you guys.”
“Oh? To what does he object?” My mother’s eyebrows went up. “And why do you care? He’s what, ten or something?”
I nearly laughed. My mom might want time with me, but she was also competitive. And she would find the thought of some boy insulting her daughter highly offensive.
“He doesn’t think one year of teaching is enough to know how to meet Jade’s needs.” I rolled my eyes. “Stupid stuff.”
“She only spends all day with you and an aid.” Mom shook her head. “But you didn’t say, how old is he?”
“I don’t know. Mid-twenties?” I briefly pictured his face. He definitely wasn’t some recruit fresh out of high school. His features and his build were too solid for that. But I couldn’t remember seeing any strong lines around his eyes or mouth. And he seemed far too serious to be very young. Still, there had been an unusual light to his eyes that was hard to shake off. It was nearly enough to distract me from the fact that he was military. And a jerk.
Mom started laughing.
“What is it?”
“You’re blushing!”
“I am not!” But even as she protested, I felt my cheeks heat.
My mom leaned forward on her elbows and placed her chin on her hands. “So tell me more about this brother.” Her brown eyes sparkled, disappointment about my job with Jade seemingly forgotten.
“I told you, he doesn’t even like me!” I swiped a handful of quinoa chips from the counter. “Besides. He’s Air Force.”
“You and your rules.” My mom scoffed and washed her hands. “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to go on a date now and then. As in, one by yourself. Not just tagging along with your friends. That’s another thing your father and I—”
“I’m going to my room now.” I skipped out of the kitchen into the hallway.
“Oh! Before you go,” my mother called after her, “Madison wanted me to remind you of your date next week.”
“I’m not going. I told her that.”
“No, she said this one’s different. Donny’s Bar on Thursday. Something about a teacher get-together.”
