My mother nods enthusiastically. “Yes, yes. Is good. You rest. And you put ad in paper for new nanny. You find someone good this time.”
“I’ve beentryingto find someone good!”
“You find someone better. Someone who understand children. Someone with patience.” She pauses, and I can see the gears turning. “Or you move home! We have space. Emma could have her own room. I cook for you every night. You don’t have to worry—”
“Ma, I’m not moving home.”
“Why not? Is good solution. You’re so tired. You’re—”
“I’m not moving home. I’ll figure it out.”
She looks at me for a long moment, and I can see she wants to argue, but Maria puts a hand on her arm. “He’ll figure it out, Ma.”
My mother sighs again, heavier this time. “Fine. But you put the ad in paper today. Today, Leonidas. Not tomorrow.Today.”
“I will.”
“And you eat something before you go. You’re too skinny.”
“I ate.”
“A pretzel is not eating!”
“I’ll grab something on campus, Ma! Don’t worry.”
She mutters something in Greek that I don’t quite catch but is probably about how I’m going to waste away to nothing. Then she reaches up and pats my cheek, hard enough that it stings a little. “You’re a handsome boy. A good boy. A good father. But you need help. Everyone needs help sometimes. Is not weakness.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
I don’t answer that.
Maria checks her watch. “You should go if you want to make your lecture on time.”
She’s right. I check my watch. 10:51. I need to leave now if I’m going to make it.
“Okay,” I look toward the back office. “Tell Dad I said hi since I didn’t catch him. And tell Emma I’ll see her tomorrow?”
“We’ll tell them,” Maria says.
“And don’t let her eat too much chocolate. And no moreBasic Instinct, Maria.”
My mother waves me off. “Go, go. We take care of her. She’s fine. You go teach your students about the brains.”
“Brain, Ma. Just thebrain.”
“That’s what I said.”
I head for the door, and just as I’m about to leave, my mother calls after me, using the nickname only her and my father use. “Leoni!”
I turn.
“You’re doing good. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but you are.”
A lump swells in my throat. I nod, and push my way out into the rain.
Chapter 3
