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“I’m meal prepping for the week. Not only am I a mother and father to my children, but I’m chef and housekeeper, chauffeur, and handyman. Do you know where I can find another one of me?”
Maurice lets out a roar. “Not off the top of my head. But I know where you can find a housekeeper, babysitter, and part-time cook.”
My ears perk up. “Do tell.”
“My sister just moved back to town from Columbia. She divorced her husband and is looking for full-time work. She’s never had a career. Keeping house and taking care of kids is all she’s ever known.”
“She sounds too good to be true. Does she drive?”
“Of course, she drives, boss. Who doesn’t drive these days?” He pulls out his phone. “I’ll forward you her contact information.”
“No! Get her on the phone now! If she’s still free, I’ll hire her on the spot.”
Maurice looks up from his phone. “But you’ve never even met her.”
“She’s your sister, Maurice. That’s the only recommendation I need.”
He hunches a beefy shoulder. “If you say so.” He places the call and steps away for a minute to talk to his sister. When he comes back, he hands me the phone. “Her name is Mia. I told her about your wife’s accident.”
I take the phone from him. “Hello, Mia. This is Will Darby. I understand you’re looking for work.”
“Yes, sir. My boys are both in high school. They’re involved in after-school sports, so I’m free all day. I can do whatever you need. Drive carpool. Clean. Cook. Laundry. I’m used to managing a busy household. Maurice thinks so highly of you, I’d be honored to work for you, Mr. Darby.”
“And I’d be honored to have you. And please, call me Will. Can you start tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, sir. I can come around eight-thirty after I drop my sons at school.”
“Wonderful. Thank you, Mia. See you in the morning.”
I end the call and hand the phone back to Maurice. “I owe you one, Maurice. I might finally get some work done, maybe even have some semblance of my life back.”
Maurice pockets his phone. “You won’t regret it. Mia’s a real hard worker.”
“I don’t doubt it if she’s anything like you.”
“That’s mighty kind of you to say.” Removing his cap, Maurice wipes the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. “Well, I’d better get to work,” he says and heads off to the carport.
I remove the chicken from the grill and take the platter inside to the kitchen. Grabbing a beer out of the refrigerator, I head for the beach where the girls are splashing in the water and Ashton is stretched out in a beach chair, reading a novel.
I drop down to the sand beside her. “I have amazing news,” I say and tell her about Mia.
Ashton raises her chair to a sitting position. “That’s amazing, Will! But don’t you think you should’ve interviewed her in person first?”
I take a swig of beer. “If she were anyone else, I would have. But she’s Maurice’s sister, and I trust him with my life.” As the words leave my mouth, a sense of foreboding overcomes me. These are my children. Why would I hire the first housekeeper who comes along without even checking references, let alone conducting a background check?
I hardly sleep that night for worrying about what I’ve gotten myself into. If Mia doesn’t work out, I’ll have to fire her, which will upset Maurice. And I can’t afford to have my best foreman angry at me.
But all the worry was for nothing. I’m immediately captivated by Mia’s friendly personality and quirky sense of humor. She’s a lot like Maurice in both regards. When I arrive home from work on Monday afternoon, the house is clean, dinner is warming in the oven, and my girls are quietly working puzzles at the kitchen table.
“You’re a godsend, Mia! Where have you been all my life?”
She beams. “Where have you been all mine? This is a dream job. I love being in your lovely home and looking out at the water while I’m doing my housework.” She sweeps an arm at the high-end appliances. “I feel like a chef in a five-star restaurant cooking in this kitchen. Compared to my rambunctious boys, your daughters are angels sent from heaven.” She moves over to the whiteboard. “And speaking of the girls, I hope you don’t mind, but I added a couple of things to your calendar.”
“I don’t mind at all. That’s what it’s here for,” I say, joining her at the whiteboard.
“Caroline’s friend Buddy has invited her over for a playdate on Wednesday after school. I spoke with Buddy’s mother in the carpool line. If you want, Julia can bring Caroline home. Or I can pick her up, whichever works best for you.”
“I’ll text Julia and work out the details. What else?”
