I sighed. “Thanks.” This was going to be a long summer.
6
Got to Give
Derrick
“What are you doing still in bed?”
I nearly fell out of bed as my mom threw the casita door open and it banged against the wall several inches from my head. As if that weren’t bad enough, she went to the windows and raised all the shutters before turning and clapping at me, like that would move me along faster.
“It’s my day off.” I rolled over and buried my face in my sheet. “Why would I be up?”
“Get your clothes on! She just parked, and she’ll ring the bell any minute!”
“I’m pretty sure she’s seen someone in sweatpants and a t-shirt before.” I pulled the pillow over my head.
“Derrick.” My mother glared at me as she threw my dirty uniforms into my laundry bin, “I want this one to at least last the summer. And your show the other day was far from gracious. The least you can do is greet her nicely this time, and I want you dressed, shaved, respectable, and respectful.” She wagged a french tipped nail at me. “Get ahold of that sarcasm, and maybe she’ll want to stay for more than a week. Then you can sleep in as long as you like. In fact, I hope you do.”
I nearly retorted that perhaps my parents’ nanny problem was more their fault than mine, but I knew better. She would just find a way to scold and lecture twice as much as usual before she left for work. If I was patient for another minute or so, she would be back in the main house, scolding Jade or Dad, and I would be free to do as I pleased. Which might include going back to bed so I could have five more minutes of sleep before the glorified babysitter arrived.
Sure enough, thirty second later, through the open sliding glass door, I heard the doorbell ring, and my mother left to answer it. She sounded as bubbly and vivacious as a teenager.
Every time my parents got Jade a new nanny, I made it my job to do as much research on the new candidate as I could. In Colorado, that had meant snooping online to look for possible criminal records the nanny agency might have missed. Now that I was in Arkansas, I could do it in person. And this time, I planned to have a little fun, too.
I went to the mirror and glanced at my reflection. My chin and cheeks were already covered in dark stubble. My hair was too short to be messy, but I could at least make sure my teeth were unbrushed when I joined the family. Yep. This would work.
“Morning, everyone!” I called as I let myself in through the back door, stretched, and gave a big yawn. Jessie watched me from where she still stood in the entryway with wide eyes, and my mother’s mouth fell open before snapping shut, her eyes dark with indignation. But she couldn’t thoroughly chide me in front of company the way I knew she wanted to, so I gave her my biggest grin and joined them. Then I smiled at Jessie. “Glad to see your car made it here this morning in one piece.”
“Derrick!” my mother snapped. I ignored her, though. I was watching Jessie clutch her tote bag closer to her chest, her eyes flashing. Wow, this girl was wound tight, like a spring ready to snap from too much pressure.
“Yes, thank you,” she said through a strained smile.
My mom looked at the ground and shook her head. “Jade is in the kitchen waiting for breakfast. I have another schedule on the fridge in case you need it. After she eats, her clothes are laid out on her bed for therapy. She has snacks in her lunch box, which is here by the door.” She indicated to a blue lunch box on the floor. “There are sub sandwiches in the refrigerator. I got extra last night when I went to fetch dinner.”
“Thank you.” Jessie’s smile became more genuine. Until she turned and looked at me again. “And will you be joining us today?”
I folded my arms. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Terrific.” She took her bag and went to the kitchen. I nearly laughed as she dropped her bag on the floor with a thud, closed her eyes, and leaned back against the counter where she must have thought I couldn’t see her.
“Derrick!” my mother hissed. “What are you doing?”
“Bye, Mom.” I bent down and kissed her on the top of her head. Then I headed for the kitchen, suddenly glad she’d gotten me up. I could hear her still muttering to herself, but she needed to leave for work, and she wouldn’t risk being late for any reason. Even me. I’d learned that lesson long ago.
Jessie was in the kitchen with Jade, searching, I assumed, for bowls. I folded my arms across my chest and leaned back against the tabled as I watched. Mom had showered all sorts of praise upon this woman when I’d expressed doubts about her abilities. But was she really as good as Mom was convinced?
Good with Jade or not, she seemed well-organized at least. And prepared. Instead of wearing pencil skirts and ridiculous high heels like the last woman my parents had hired, her clothes were practical. A faded turquoise blouse unbuttoned over a white tank top and a pair of khaki corduroys with sneakers. Her large blond-brown ringlets which had dangled down to her shoulders last time were pulled up on top of her head, and though she didn’t wear much makeup, there was just enough to make her green eyes pop.
“Which cereal is yours, Jade?” Jessie opened the cabinet door, a rainbow of cereal boxes inside.
Jade briefly glanced at her from the table and then went back to studying her book.
“Jade, honey. Tell me which cereal is yours.”
Jade ignored her.
I considered intervening. But Jessie would probably resent that. She seemed the type who wanted to do things her own way. Also, I wanted to see if she really did know as much about Jade as she touted.
