Page 33 of DadBod
ROME
“Let’s talk about the job.”Holding up a finger, I add, “Hang on. Let me grab something.” I stand and enter my bedroom in search of the folder I left on my dresser. The one I made up for this conversation because I know Elizabeth, and she’s going to need some convincing. I’ll need to show her a little research. When I return, she’s staring out the windows. There’s not a great view from this floor. Right now, she’s either looking down at our small courtyard or she’s attempting to peek into my neighbor’s window. Needing to get this started, I ask, “You ready?”
“Can I ask you something first?”
“Sure.”
“Why isn’t your mom doing this? Doesn’t she usually spend all summer with the kids, or at least when you’re at the restaurant?”
“Ordinarily, yes. This summer, however, my parents are going on a three-month cruise around the world.”
Elizabeth’s hand moves to cover her mouth as she gasps. “Oh my gosh. Does Bianca know? Is it a surprise?”
A smile creeps across my face. “She knows. It was all her idea. My dad isn’t that excited about it, but he needs a vacation.”
“That’s amazing.”
I swear to you, Elizabeth’s eyes are getting glassy. “Are you gonna cry?” Over a vacation?
“No.” She shakes her head. “It just sounds romantic.”
“They’re going to kill each other.” I chuckle.
“What?” She makes a squeaky noise. “Why would you say that?”
“Three months in a tiny ship cabin.” My eyes roll, because of course they’re going to kill each other. “They haven’t spent that much time together since––ever.” Dad was either in school or at the hospital when they first got married. Mom worked too, until she had Phee.
“Oh.” I can practically see the wheels turning in her pretty head. “I suppose.” She sighs. “Still. That’d be an amazing trip.”
“They deserve it.” They really do. Needing to get this conversation moving along, I open the black folder and pull out the first piece of paper. Holding it out in front of her, she grasps the other end and pulls. As she looks down at it, I start my spiel. “The first section is the average nanny salary in Chicago.”
“Wait.” She pauses. “What about Gianna?”
I want to laugh at the suggestion. “No.” And hopefully, that’s the end of that conversation. I love my niece, but she’s too irresponsible to take care of Cal, and Ryann would run all over her. Like a train on a track.
“Okay.” She nods looking down at the paper. “Seventeen fifty per hour,” she states softly.
“Yes. But I’m offering you twenty dollars per hour.”
“Why?” She looks at me earnestly. “Why pay me more than the going rate?”
Ignoring her question, I move on. “The kids are out of school at the end of May. I’d like you to start the next day. You’d be here with them from the time I leave for the restaurant until I get back.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything.
“That’ll mean leaving here quite late at night.”
“I leave late from the restaurant.”
“True.”
“Which reminds me, what about the restaurant? I don’t want to lose that job. I’ll need it when they go back to school or when your parents return, whichever.”
“For now, I thought you could work lunch on Saturday and Sunday.”
“Only two lunch shifts?” Her face tells me everything I need to know. She’s on the fence about this job. “It’ll need to be dinner shifts.”
“Fine. Dinner.” I run my fingers through my hair. I need for her to do this. “Look, Elizabeth. I need someone here with the kids. Cal for sure, but Ryann… she’s having some issues. I can’t leave her in charge of her little brother right now.”