Читать книгу Merciful Law - Darby Sr. Rae - Страница 10

Susan came over at 10 am and we ran errands together. She’d been with the family for three years. She took over for the last nanny after Emmet’s wife, Marie, died. That seemed like an odd time to switch nannies, but she didn’t offer any more details and I didn’t ask.

She thanked me for my work in the laundry room and I shared it was the least I could do since she was spending the morning with me doing my work. I told her to let me know if she needed help with anything else, attempting to foster a team effort approach. Susan drove so I could make notes and program the addresses into my GPS. I admitted to Susan I suffered severely from “map-lexia,” and while I was in the mood to admit my inadequacies, I also confessed my cooking was abysmal. She just laughed.

It took almost five hours to run errands. She had a whole little field trip prepared to familiarize me with the community. We drove a different way home than we did going out and past a strip mall with a kickboxing studio. At home, my old-no-longer-home that is, I worked out several times a week at a great gym that held kickboxing classes. They were my favorite. I stopped in quickly and spoke with the young man at the counter.

“Well ma’am,” he said as though I was seventy-three years old. “This isn’t a typical studio. Harold, the owner, is a world champion kickboxer. He is the main instructor and he trains fighters, not…uh…well, housewives. There are group sessions and private sessions. Before you start, Harold has to run you through some…uh…tests. I’m not trying to discourage you, ma’am, just want you to know what you’re in for.” He handed me some information and I left.

Learning to fight may prove useful given my current situation. Right then the only developed defense I had was running.

“Well?” Susan asked.

“It’s pretty much an extreme fighting studio. Not what I had originally thought. I’d have to have an assessment with the owner first. I want to do it. What’s the worse that could happen? He doesn’t take me as a student?”

“And he breaks a rib or two in the process; your ribs…maybe your nose too? You’re not quite all there are you?” She asked, laughing.

“I’m always up for a challenge. In fact, speaking of challenges…I really appreciate you spending your entire day with me today. You have saved me so much time. What can I do to show my appreciation?”

“You’re already doing it. The more comfortable you become with the things that need to be done and how Emmet likes us to do them, the easier it is for everyone. You already seem comfortable with his personality… and speaking of comfortable,” she added “you seem a bit overqualified for this position.”

“Well I do know a lot about reptiles,” I answered, clearly ignoring where she was trying to take the conversation. “When I was in college one of my roommates was studying to be a zoologist—”

“So you went to college?” She interjected.

That was brilliant. I could see I needed to be more guarded even in light conversation. “Yes, just a community college, but I didn’t graduate.” I lied. “Do you enjoy working for Emmet?”

“I didn’t at first. He was extremely rigid when I first started. He was grieving over the loss of his wife…always unhappy and very negative. Somehow I think he realized it was really hurting his boys and he’s slowly found his heart. He’s still rigid, but he has really done a 180 with his boys. He still seems lonely.” She sighed, “But that will work itself out in time.” Susan didn’t offer any information about the loss of Marie. I decided not to ask.

I helped Susan with dinner, gleaning a few culinary cooking tips in the process. We laughed a lot as she teased me about my domestic ineptness… and threw in a few map-lexia jokes. She ribbed me about not killing anyone when I cooked dinner tomorrow; then helped me plan the meal.

The night’s evening routine was the same as the last. Dinner at 6:00, the boys and Emmet went upstairs by 7:30. The kids took their baths, got ready for bed, had story time, and were in bed by 8:30. I walked by Josh’s room while Emmet was telling them a story. I stood at my door and listened.

“Once upon a time there were two brave warriors. They were smart and strong but not old enough to be soldiers. Their duty was to learn everything they could at school so one day they would serve their kingdom well as soldiers. Although they were young, everyone in the kingdom had a job. The job of the young warriors was to welcome guests to the kingdom and help them feel at home.

“One day a fair maiden arrived at the kingdom. The warriors took her on a tour of the land and ate meals with her. She shared stories of her life and they shared stories as well, but they were careful not to share the secrets the kingdom held. The only one who was ever allowed to share the secrets was the king. Some guests knew the secrets; some never would.”

Emmet took Eli to his room and then went downstairs to the library or his office. I couldn’t quite tell. I picked up my novel and headed to the family room to read. I was laughing when Emmet entered the room. He looked at me curiously.

“The novel…the author has quite a sense of humor.” I smiled. He returned my smile with a stoic look and gestured at the door.

“Romulus time.”

So much for employer/employee bonding.

There was no more conversation but tonight I was infinitely more relaxed. Emmet threw the ball to the dog several dozen times without comment. One last time he threw the ball and then turned to walk inside giving me an “after you” gesture. I went to my room. Emmet returned to his office.

I glanced at the grandfather clock as I made my way upstairs. It was exactly 10:30. Emmet seemed to have an innate internal clock. I rarely saw him glancing at his watch and so far I hadn’t witnessed him appear rushed or behind schedule. I imagined it made him insane to be late or wait on someone who was late. Note to self—always be on time.