A Babysitter for My Son
She wore a hat and cradled a pug in her arms. The remarkable thing was that both the woman and the pug seemed to smile at James in the same way, or so he thought.
Caught off guard, he smiled back.
“How old is our child?” she asked, skipping a greeting.
“Pardon?” James was confused.
“When we talked on the phone, you didn’t mention your son’s age.”
“He’s three… nearly four.”
“Perfect.” The woman set the pug down. “Go on, Gracie, make yourself at home.”
Gracie waddled around the new apartment with her little legs, curiously exploring her surroundings.
“Um, she doesn’t bite, does she?” James asked nervously.
But from his son’s room, there was already a delighted shriek of excitement…
As arranged, James returned promptly at nine in the evening.
Unlocking the door, he was struck by the silence. He tiptoed to his son’s room and, by the dim light, found a curious sight: Johnny was sound asleep, and Gracie lay cozily at his feet.
“Back already?” came a whisper behind him.
James turned to find her.
“As promised. Here.” He whispered back, handing her notes. “Thanks… But why is Johnny asleep? He usually doesn’t doze off before ten.”
“He had a great time,” the woman said wearily. “If you don’t mind…” She moved to pick up Gracie and carried her toward the hallway.
“Shall I call a taxi for you?” James offered. “It’s on me…”
“No need… We still have to take Gracie for her nightly walk.”
“You must! The weather’s dreadful.” James insisted. “Let me get you home quickly so you can walk there.”
She gave in, told him the address, and he called the taxi service. Upon hearing the fare, he tipped her extra.
“Thank you…” the nanny nodded. “I’ll wait for the car outside.”
After she left, James realized he hadn’t properly introduced himself. He went to the bathroom and discovered, to his surprise, a stack of neatly washed children’s clothes hanging on the drying rack.
This wasn’t part of the deal! He thought irritably. But as he entered the kitchen, his irritation grew. A pot stood on the stove with a note: “Breakfast for Johnny!”
James then recalled his sister’s talk about finding him a wife and decided this nanny would never return.
The next morning began with Johnny jumping into his bed.
“Dad, when is Aunt Lucy coming back?” his son eagerly asked.
“Who’s Aunt Lucy?” James grumbled. “Johnny, let me sleep.”
“You know, Aunt Lucy. The nanny who came yesterday.”
That woke James up fully.
“She’s not coming back!” he firmly stated. “Ever again.”
“But Dad…” Johnny’s eyes filled with horror, and James was startled. “What about Gracie? Is she not coming either?”
“No…” James replied softly, then hugged his son. “How about I get you your own puppy? Today! A little dog just for you!”
Johnny pulled away from his father’s embrace for some reason and went to his room.
They ate breakfast in silence. Johnny stared vacantly.
“Come on, Johnny, what’s wrong?” James comforted him. “What’s so special about Gracie? We lived fine without her, and we’ll be okay. Who’s more important to you, me or a dog?”
“You are,” Johnny answered in a hollow voice, got up, and returned to his room.
James lost his appetite. He quietly approached his son’s closed door and listened. Soft sobbing floated from inside.
James returned to the kitchen, thought for a while, and dialed the nanny’s number on his mobile.
The ringing went unanswered for a while, then a quiet voice spoke:
“Hello…”
“It’s Johnny’s dad, the little boy from yesterday,” James began, but a drunken male voice interrupted:
“Who’s bothering you?!” And James heard a stream of foul language.
“What’s happening over there?” he asked worriedly. “Who is that?”
“It’s nothing…” the nanny replied hesitantly. “It’s… my ex-husband. He won’t leave us alone… Sorry… I’ll call you back…”
“I’ll call you back!” the drunk voice shouted.
Then came frantic barking, a female scream, and Gracie’s plaintive whimpering.
The call ended. James’s heart raced for no apparent reason. Something awful was clearly happening at the nanny’s place.
James recalled the address he had sent the taxi to the previous night. He didn’t know the apartment number, but he had to do something…
Calling to his son, “I’ll be right back,” James grabbed his keys and rushed out. In a minute, he was starting his car, and fifteen minutes later, he reached the building.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” he quickly asked a nearby elderly woman. “Does a lady with a pug live here? With a hat? Could you tell me the flat number?”
Within minutes, James was on the fifth floor, stood at a door behind which he could hear the same drunken, maniacal voice.
He firmly pressed the doorbell and held it until the door opened to reveal a man.
“Who are you?” the man demanded insolently, only to be silenced instantly by a firm punch.
Holding back his anger, James calmly watched as the man staggered up, wiping blood from his face.
“If you come back here, I’ll throw you out the window. Now get out.” James gestured to the door. “And don’t even think about resisting…”
The ex-husband vanished. James entered the dimly lit room. The nanny was sitting in an armchair quietly crying, hugging Gracie.
James felt a pang in his heart.
“Are you alright?” he asked her. Seeing her confused expression, he clarified, “I’m asking if Gracie’s okay? I heard her cry…”
“She’s fine,” the nanny nodded wearily. Then she whispered, “I hate him so much…”
“He won’t be back. I promise you that.”
“He will…” she said hopelessly. “You don’t know him…”
“And you don’t know me!” He smiled, walked over, took trembling Gracie from her, and awkwardly stroked her. “She’s so soft… No wonder Johnny loves her… Let’s go, Lucy…”
“What?” she didn’t understand. “Where to?”
“To Johnny, where else… He and Gracie miss you. A lot.”
“Are you serious?” She looked at him intently.
“I’m not joking…” James replied, meeting her gaze. He didn’t fully understand his own actions, but he was certain he was doing the right thing.
“You can’t stay here. Besides… the breakfast you made for Johnny isn’t the same without you…”
James, Gracie in his arms, turned and headed for the door.
“Catch up with me, Lucy. By the way, my name’s James. I’ll wait for you by the car.”
“Alright…” she nodded without getting up. “I just need a moment… I’ll join you soon.”
