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“Are you a new nanny?”
I didn’t know if I could trust her with my real secret so I just nodded. “Yeah. This has all been a learning experience for me.”
She looked up as a waitress approached us and took our order and then waited for the young woman to leave before leaning closer to me. “Tell me what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far and I’ll tell you mine.”
I felt my cheeks darken as I thought about my parents’ reaction to me telling Joe that he was a bad dad. “I think I overstep a lot.”
“What do you mean?”
I was surprised at how fast the waitress returned with our drinks and treats. I got Milo set up with his apple juice and fancy grilled cheese while Jules thanked the waitress. I grinned as the woman seemed surprised and caught off guard. Was she so used to the wealthier people ignoring her or something?
“Thank you, Mrs. Mayhew.” The waitress hurried away and missed the way Jules made a face at me.
“They think I’m the wife and I’ve never corrected them because they’re so much nicer to me when they think my husband is loaded and powerful. That’s terrible of me, isn’t it? Playing the wife? I know I shouldn’t…” She shook her head while looking down at her coffee. “Do you think I’m a monster?”
I waved her off. “No way. Just don’t get caught by the real Mrs. Mayhew.”
“Never. I’m careful. I wouldn’t want to ruin a good thing.” She laughed and it was the softest, most gentle sound. “Now, tell me what you meant about overstepping. I’ve been terribly bored lately with the kids leaving everyday. I need gossip.”
Milo looked up at Jules and studied her. I could see his little brain working and then he threw his grilled cheese at her and stuck out his tongue. “Shitty.”
I gasped and pulled him closer to me. “Milo! You don’t throw your food! That’s not nice. Apologize to Ms. Jules.”
He held his breath and strained, his version of the silent treatment when he was mad but he hadn’t learned he could still breathe. His little face turned bright red and when I pulled him into my lap, he sucked in a big gulp of oxygen and then screamed it out.
“I am so sorry, Jules. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. Well, with the throwing. I definitely accidentally taught him that swear. I think I have to take him home. I’m sorry! Oh, my god. Miles, baby, shhh.” It was useless. The silent retreat had been ruined and I was getting dirty looks from the few people in the cafe.
“I’ll come with you. I’ll get all this packed up to go. I saw you got out of a car. Why don’t I drive us back?” Jules winced with every one of Milo’s screams and I got the impression the kids she nannied for never screamed or threw grilled cheese at her.
“That would be amazing. Thank you so much. You could come inside and hang out with me, if you wanted.” I scooped up Milo’s toys and started backing away. “I’m just going to take him outside. I’m so sorry.”
On the sidewalk outside I knelt on the ground in front of Milo and held his hands. “Buddy, you can’t do that. You can’t hit people with food. It’s not nice.”
He huffed. “Mi-wo no like her.”
I sighed and pulled him in for a hug. “I know, buddy. I don’t know why, but I hear you. Jules is nice, though. She’s my friend. Can you play nice? For me?”
He turned his face away from me but then he latched on, locking all of limbs around me as much as he could. “Mi-wo love Aya.”
I held him a little tighter and smiled. “I love you, Milo.”
Jules joined us and she pointed to the expensive looking SUV pulling up in front of us. “This is us. There’s a booster seat in the back. He’s big enough for a booster, right?”
I made a note to google that once I was free that night. Strike five hundred against my nanny skills. “Um, yeah.”
Milo forgot about his hatred of Jules once he was in a new car with a new booster seat. He stayed quiet and allowed Jules and I to chat while her driver pulled away from the curb.
“Let’s try this again.” She laughed and passed me my to-go cup of coffee. “You said you overstepped.”
I took a long drink and nodded. “Yeah, I told Joe that he was a bad father.”
Her face fell. “Did he fire you on the spot?”
I shook my head and pointed to Milo. “No, he did not. Or I wouldn’t have Milo.”
She waved her hand at me and rolled her eyes. “Of course! Duh!”
“Do your kids have good relationships with their parents?” I saw the look on her face and rushed on. “I don’t mean to pry. I know everyone is big on privacy here. I just don’t know if the relationships I’m seeing are normal. The dads are so frustrating and it’s not like I can just ask them.”
