Page 3 of 5+Us Makes Seven
“I have been using nannies over the past couple of years as a crutch. You know, expecting them to step in and be another parental figure.”
“I had a nanny growing up,” he said. “She practically raised me.”
“So I’m not the only one who thinks a nanny can be that?” I asked.
“I think you hired a slacker for the job. Did your other two nannies ever say anything like that to you?”
“No. The first quit because of health reasons, which I understood.”
“How’s she doing, by the way? Do you know?” he asked.
“We talked a few weeks ago. The cancer treatment’s going well, but she’s still got a long road ahead of her. She seemed to be in good spirits. And the nanny after her quit because she got pregnant.”
“Again, a decent reason.”
“But it still leaves me without someone to help with the kids. And cycling through women like this after losing their mother… it’s not good,” I said.
“Are you looking for another nanny?”
“I have no other choice. You know we’re in the middle of that massive merger, so I can’t duck out and work from home for months on end. I’m needed here,” I said.
“My cousin Natasha’s pretty good with kids. She’s seriously patient, too. Like a saint.”
“Does she have any experience nannying?”
“She babysat a lot as a teenager. Did it all the way through college. She got her degree in Early Childhood Development and got a teaching certificate in case she wanted to teach kindergarten. She could calm the storm that is your house for sure.”
“She sounds qualified, then. You think she’d come in for an interview?” I asked.
“I can bring her in, sure.”
“Would she be able to work full-time?” I asked.
“The hell you interviewing me for? I’m not applying for the job. I love your kids, but they are very energetic.”
“Thanks. I think.”
“But to answer your question, yes. She can work full-time. She just moved back to the area and she hasn’t had much luck finding a job.”
“With her qualifications?”
“Carter. Seriously. She can take a full-time position. I’ll bring her in for an interview tomorrow. How does that sound?” he asked.
“Sounds good,” I said. “Ten in the morning? It’ll give me a couple of hours to decompress and answer any worried phone calls I’m sure the investors will pay me tonight while I’m sound asleep.”
“Not looking forward to the meeting?”
“I never look forward to investor board meetings. They’re all a bunch of whiny old men with deep pockets who want to be coddled,” I said.
“If you want money, you have to coddle. That’s usually how it goes.”
“You sure your cousin would be up for something like this?” I asked. “Because I’m tired of looking for nannies every few months and I’m tired of the look on my children’s faces whenever they walk out.”
“I’m telling you, she’ll be a good fit. And if the interview doesn’t go well, then it’s no skin off your back. Be diligent this time. If she’s not right for the job, don’t offer it to her because you’re desperate. Take the time to find the right one. But I’m telling you, my cousin would be good for your kids.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said. “Because this cycle of women needs to end.”
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