A Nanny for My Son
She wore a hat and carried a pug in her arms. Strangely enough, both she and the pug seemed to smile at Harry with an identical grin.
He was taken aback and smiled back.
“How old is our child?” she asked, skipping any formal greeting.
“What?” Harry was confused.
“You didn’t mention your son’s age when we spoke on the phone.”
“He’s three… almost four.”
“Perfect…” she said, lowering the pug to the floor. “Gracie, go explore.”
Gracie waddled playfully across the room, taking her time to examine her new surroundings.
“Your Gracie… she doesn’t bite, does she?” Harry asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
But already waves of excited giggles could be heard from his son’s room…
Just as agreed, at precisely nine in the evening, Harry returned home. Unlocking the door, he was surprised by the silence. He tiptoed into his son Ben’s room and was greeted by an unusual sight – Ben sound asleep with Gracie curled up at his feet.
“Back already?” a whisper came from behind.
Harry turned around.
“As promised. Here…” he whispered too, handing over some banknotes. “Thanks… But why is Ben asleep? He usually doesn’t go down before ten.”
“He had a lot of fun,” the nanny replied wearily. “With your permission…” She approached the child’s bed, scooped up Gracie, and headed towards the hallway.
“Let me call a taxi,” Harry offered. “My treat…”
“No need… Gracie and I still need a pre-bedtime walk.”
“I insist!” Harry said firmly. “The weather’s awful. Take the ride home and walk there as long as you like.”
She gave in, provided her address, and he called for a cab, tipping her after hearing the fare.
“Thanks…” the nanny nodded. “I’ll wait for the car outside.”
When she left, Harry realized he hadn’t caught her name. He entered the bathroom and was surprised to discover the laundry rack filled with freshly washed clothes – all Ben’s, washed by the nanny. “This is too much! We didn’t agree to this,” he thought irritably. Entering the kitchen further upset him. On the stove sat a pot with a note saying: “Breakfast for Ben!”
His sister’s words replayed in his mind, about wanting to set him up, and he decided he would never hire this nanny again.
The next morning began with Ben jumping into his bed.
“Dad, when is Aunt Lucy coming back?” his son asked excitedly.
“Who’s Aunt Lucy?” Harry grumbled, trying to sleep. “Ben, let me rest.”
“You know, Aunt Lucy. The nanny from yesterday.”
Sleep vanished.
“She’s not coming back!” he said firmly. “Ever.”
“Dad…” Fear flickered in Ben’s eyes, and Harry was taken aback. “Is Gracie not coming either?”
“No…” Harry replied softly, then reconsidered and hugged his son. “Want me to get you your own puppy? Today! A small one!”
For some reason, Ben pulled away and went to his room.
They had breakfast in silence. Ben stared blankly into space.
“Come on, Ben, what’s up?” Harry asked gently. “What is it about Gracie? We lived without her before, and we’ll manage again. Who’s closer to you, me or a dog?”
“You,” Ben replied in a monotone, stood, and went back to his room.
Harry lost his appetite. He quietly approached Ben’s closed door and listened. Inside, he heard the soft sound of a child’s sobs.
Returning to the kitchen, Harry pondered for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed the nanny’s number.
The phone rang for a long while before a quiet voice answered:
“Yes, hello…”
“This is Ben’s dad, you know, the boy from yesterday,” Harry began, but then an angry drunken voice interrupted:
“Who is that calling you?!” Harry heard a string of expletives.
“What’s going on there?” he asked, concerned. “Who’s with you?”
“Nothing…” said the nanny in a distressed tone. “It’s… my ex-husband. He won’t calm down… Sorry… I’ll call you back…”
“I’ll call YOU back!” screamed the drunken voice.
Then came frantic barking, a woman’s cry, and Gracie’s mournful whine.
The line went dead. Harry’s heart pounded in his chest. Something terrible was definitely happening at the “lady with the dog’s” home.
The nanny’s address popped into his mind, the one he’d used to book a cab yesterday. Though he didn’t know the apartment number, he had to do something…
Shouting to his son, “I’ll be right back,” Harry rushed out the door. Moments later, he was starting his car, and fifteen minutes later, he was at her building.
“Excuse me, miss,” he approached an elderly woman hurriedly, “Does a lady with a dog live here? Wearing a hat? Can you tell me which apartment?”
A few minutes later, Harry was on the fifth floor, standing by the door from which angry male shouting could still be heard.
Harry pressed the doorbell hard, not letting go until the door swung open to reveal a male figure.
“Who are you?” the figure demanded arrogantly, only to be immediately floored by a well-aimed punch…
Holding back his anger, Harry patiently watched as the man, wiping blood from his face, stumbled up from the hallway floor.
“If you ever show up here again, I’ll throw you out the window. Now get out.” Harry pointed at the door. “And don’t even think about it…”
The ex-husband vanished. Harry stepped into the dim room. The nanny sat in a chair, crying softly, clutching Gracie.
Harry’s heart ached.
“Are you alright?” he asked the nanny, meeting her puzzled look. He clarified: “Is your Gracie alright? I heard her yelping…”
“She’ll be fine,” the nanny nodded wearily, then whispered, “I loathe him…”
“He won’t be back. That’s a promise.”
“He will…” she said despondently. “You don’t know him…”
“And you don’t know me!” He smiled, approached her, took the trembling Gracie, and clumsily petted her. “She’s so soft… No wonder Ben adores her… Come on, Lucy…”
“What?” she asked, not understanding. “Where?”
“To Ben, of course… He’s waiting for you and Gracie. Eagerly.”
“Are you joking?” She studied him intently.
“No… I’m not joking…” Harry replied, looking straight into her eyes. He wasn’t quite sure what was happening to him, but he knew that what he was doing felt right.
“You can’t stay here. Besides… the breakfast you made for Ben, he won’t eat it without you…”
Harry, holding Gracie, turned and headed for the door.
“Catch up with me, Lucy. By the way, my name’s Harry. I’ll wait for you by the car.”
“Alright…” she nodded without getting up. “I just need a moment… I’ll catch up…”
