“Jeannie’s been a teacher in the school system here since I was a kid,” I remind her. “And Robert’s been running the medical practice for just as long. They know everyone. Plus, they’re the kids’ grandparents.”
Dylan opens the cupboard and grabs the bag of chocolate chips. I part my lips to tell her Presley doesn’t need chocolate chips on her pancakes, but at this point, I’ll agree to smother her breakfast with chocolate syrup and whipped cream if she’ll eat it.
“With horrible taste in childcare.” After carefully adding the chocolate chips to the pancake, she flips it, then gives the oatmeal a stir. “You don’t need someone who checks all the boxes on paper. You need someone who clicks with them. Someone like…” She trails off.
But I know what she was about to say.
“Someone like Cora,” I finish, my throat tightening around her name.
You’d think after a year it wouldn’t hurt as much.
“The nannies you’ve hired are the complete opposite of her. In fact, they’re like you.”
I cross my arms in front of my chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that you can be a bit…stiff. And boring.”
“I’m not boring.”
“You fold your boxer briefs. And your closet is color-coded.”
“It’s not that bad. And why were you going through my underwear drawer anyway?”
“Because I used to do your laundry.”
She turns off the burners, then places Presley’s pancake on a plate, making a face out of strawberries and blueberries. After cutting up a banana, she adds the slices along with some brown sugar to Jeremiah’s oatmeal before setting their fresh meals in front of them.
To my surprise, both kids start eating. Presley even helps Jeremiah so he doesn’t make as big of a mess as he usually does.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come back and watch them?” I joke. “I’ll pay you this time.”
“You know I love you and them… But no.” She gives me a sympathetic smile, then inhales a sharp breath.
“What is it?” I look from her to my kids, worried something is wrong.
“I might know someone who can help. Someone infinitely better than the people you’ve been hiring.”
“Who?”
“Her name’s Rowan. She just started volunteering at the animal shelter. She mentioned she used to nanny and is between jobs right now.”
“I’m not just hiring some…stranger off the street to watch my kids. You’ve known this person, what? A few weeks?”
She shrugs. “She has good energy.”
“I’m not hiring a nanny based on good energy. I’ve known everyone I’ve hired. Or Robert or Jeannie did.”
“And how have your carefully vetted, well-connected nannies worked out so far?” she counters.
“I’m not letting a stranger watch my kids.”
“Remember what Presley’s therapist said. She needs stability. This past year has been anything but stable. This revolving door of caregivers isn’t doing you any favors. Or her.”
I push out a sigh, knowing she’s right. Presley does need some stability. We all do. But it’s not that easy.
“They’ve had a shit year, Hayden,” Dylan says, placing her hand on my arm. “They deserve someone a bit more fun than Grace Henderson, whose idea of a fun activity for Presley was math flashcards. And Rowan is definitely fun.”
“Math’s an important skill.”
