“Right now, my jealous side is no match for my overprotective side.”
“Just the other day you said you missed going to parties.”
“I meant afternoon parties. With a bouncy castle and a kids’ area. Make a note for next year’s hospital gala.”
“Duly noted. But this year, I’m afraid I inherited the event. I understand if you want to stay, Evy. Truly. But at some point, we have to trust someone. They start daycare soon, and you’ll be launching your school.”
“I know. You’re right. Sorry, I’m being paranoid.”
“You’re not. Believe me, I’m nervous, too. But it’s under control. You saw the nanny’s profile. Five years of experience, stellar reviews. This is the top agency in the city.”
“I know, I know. But can we really trust that? They said one of her qualities is punctuality, and she’s already ten minutes late. What else did they get wrong?”
“Evy…”
“What?”
“Now you’re being paranoid.”
A small smile finally broke through her worry. “Yeah. I know. Sorry.”
“Don’t ever apologize for being a dedicated mother.”
I kissed her, and at that moment, the doorbell rang.
We headed downstairs. Evelyn waited in the living room while I answered the door. A young woman with red hair stood on the step.
“So sorry I’m late, Mr. and Mrs. Turner. Traffic was a nightmare.”
I had a fleeting, private thrill at hearing Evelyn called “Mrs. Turner,” even if it was a little premature.
“It’s no problem,” Evelyn said warmly, as if she hadn’t just been counting the minutes. She slipped on her coat and launched into the instructions. “The girls are asleep. If they wake up: Aurora is deaf. She won’t hear you, but she’s an excellent lip-reader. Just face her when you speak.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the sitter replied.
Evelyn continued, “Anna is a champion negotiator. She might wake up claiming she’s starving, but it’s just a ploy for cookies. They had a full dinner. Our numbers are on the fridge. If your phone dies, use the landline. I also wrote down their grandmother’s number in L.A., and their aunt and uncle’s…”
“Sweetheart…” I interjected, wondering what cataclysm would require a call to relatives across the country. “We should go, or we’ll be late.”
“Oh! And if they have a fever: Anna is allergic to most children’s fever reducers. The only one she can take is on the kitchen counter, but call me before you give heranything, and—”
“Evy, they’re asleep. Anna does not have a fever.”
The sitter offered an understanding smile. This clearly wasn’t her first time with anxious parents.
“I promise I’ll call you immediately if anything comes up, Mrs. Turner,” she said kindly.
Evelyn looked like she had more to say, so I gently guided her out the door. We got into the car for the short drive to the venue.
But as I drove, a knot of unease tightened in my own stomach. I knew they were with a professional, but… I couldn’t shake a bad feeling.
Then again, I was probably just being paranoid, too.
*****
The party was the same monotony as always—a whirl of handshakes, photo ops, and making the rounds in countless conversation circles.
The one—theonly—advantage this gala had over every other work function I’d ever attended was my date. I was immensely proud to introduce Evelyn to everyone, though the term "girlfriend" felt like a profound understatement.
