Daddy Boss

by Claire Bishop

  “Do you like art?” the little girl asked me, stopping me from leaving the gallery. She was too cute to ignore.

  She was adorable and looked a lot like the man, which made me wonder if she was his daughter.

  “I love art,” I said and looked over the painting she was currently looking at.

  It was an abstract painting with golds, yellows, and blacks. But as you stared at it, a bigger image came into place. You could make out a woman, one that looked upset and maybe even hurt. You could feel the pain in the painting, and it gave me chills. That type of art—the kind that made you think and feel—was what made me get my art degree in the first place. It was nice to be reminded of that after far too long.

  “I like the sculpture,” the little girl said.

  I looked down at her and saw that she was looking at the sculpture by the front door. I followed her as she started walking over to it.

  It was amazing, and I stared at it for a moment. Taking in the shapes and the way it all flowed together, as if it was one large piece instead of several small pieces put together. It was so good, and I figured the artist must be rich. I had seen her name several times in ads around town before. It’s a shame I had never taken the time to come in here. Especially since I lived only two blocks away.

  “Isn’t it cool?” she asked me after I had been staring at the sculpture for a couple of minutes.

  I smiled at her and then looked back at the sculpture. “It’s very cool. Is this the same artist?” I asked her, knowing that she might not have the answer.

  “I think all of it’s the same person. I think anyway,” she said.

  I laughed at how she used the words ‘I think’ to reiterate her statement, to make sure I knew that she wasn’t sure. I was certain she was right. Almost all the pieces had the same name and the ones that didn’t just didn’t have a name at all.

  “They are all so amazing. Is that your Dad upstairs?” I asked her, surprised at my own ease in this conversation.

  Maybe it was because she was just a little girl and all the pressures I usually felt when talking to adults weren’t there. I felt so calm talking to this little girl, and was delighted to see she was so smart.

  “Yes, he owns this place,” she said. Her words were so well articulated, I wondered how old she was. She looked like she was maybe four or five, but I wondered if she was older because of how well she spoke.

  “That’s cool. Do you get to come here with him a lot?” I asked.

  “No. Esther’s brother died, and she had to leave,” she said, leaving me to wonder who Esther was.

  “Who is Esther?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t prying too much into this little girl’s life.

  “My nanny,” she said.

  “Oh, I’m sorry for your nanny. Is that why you get to be with your dad today?” I asked her.

  “Yeah, he’s looking to hire someone who will be nice and listen.”

  I laughed at how old and mature she sounded when she said this. “The last person wasn’t nice?”

  “No, she wasn’t. Janice didn’t like to listen to Daddy,” she said.

  I laughed again, and then she dragged me over to look at some more paintings. I knew I should probably leave and let the little girl be, but she was so fascinated with showing me everything that I would have felt bad if I had just up and left her.

  “Why are you here?” she asked me, sounding so adult it seemed crazy. She was getting wrapped around my finger very quickly, but it didn’t take much for me to feel that way toward children.

  “I came to apply for the job, but I don’t think your Dad liked me very much,” I admitted, then wondered why I said that to his daughter.

  A few seconds passed, and we heard her dad start to come down the stairs.

  “Why didn’t you hire this lady? She is so nice,” the little girl said.

  The guy looked up, and for the first time, I really looked at him. He was older than me, and I noticed as he smiled, that it didn’t quite reach his eyes, making me wonder what he had been through in his life. Had he gone through something that tore him apart just like me?

  He cleared his throat and held out his hand, “I’m so sorry. I’m James.”

  I grabbed his hand and shook it, “I’m Rachel.”

  “I thought you were here for the art show I’m having tomorrow night. My apologies.”

  “It’s okay; I wasn’t really clear on why I was here,” I said, hoping to take some of the blame for the mistake and ease the awkwardness.

  “This is my daughter, Nell,” he said.

  I held out my hand to Nell, and to my surprise, she took it and shook my hand. It was very adult-like, and I had to laugh.

  “I think she’d be perfect for the job, Daddy. She really likes the art, and she’s so nice.” Then she added in a whisper, “And she’s so pretty.”

  I felt my cheeks heat up and saw the same look in James’ eyes. He laughed, “All of that is very true. When would you like to start?” he asked.

  It took me by surprise because I wasn’t expecting him to say that. I was thinking I was going to have to fill out an application and then do an interview. But maybe he just desperately needed the help.

  “Whenever you need me to,” I said, smiling a real smile for the first time in a long while.

  “How about Monday?” he asked.

  I was surprised that he wanted me to work so soon, but at the same time, I was kind of glad because then I wouldn’t have to sit around wondering if I got the job or not. Plus, this only gave me two days to freak out about starting the job.

  “Yeah, sure, Monday will work,” I said.

  “Yay!” yelled, Nell, “I’m so happy right now.”

  “Why is that?” James asked.

  “Because you hired a nice lady. She was talking to me about all the art in here. She likes the sculpture too,” Nell said.

  “She does?” James asked, but he was looking at me. “What’s your favorite piece?”

  I brought him over to the gold, black, and yellow abstract painting. “This one,” I said.

  “It’s deep, isn’t it?” he asked.

  We were both staring at it, and I thought it was really cool that we were both interpreting it the same way.

  “It’s got a lot of emotion within it,” I told him.

  “I agree,” he said.

  The three of us stood there in silence and looked at the painting. It was crazy to think that Nell was so well behaved and I wondered where her mother was. That didn’t seem like an appropriate question to ask though. It would be like if someone asked me why I was twenty-six without a husband or child yet, like all the other people in my class.

  I pushed the thoughts out of my head. I didn’t want to think about any of those things right now. Especially not when he just hired me to work for him. It would seem funny if I broke down in my place of work before I even started working there.

  “It really is amazing,” I looked around at everything. “All of these pieces are quite good,” I said.

  “The artist does a great job. This is her fourth show here, and she typically sells out of her pieces fairly quickly,” James said.

  “I can see why. Her work is truly amazing. I’ve always admired artists that can really bring emotions out in their pieces,” I said.

  “I like all the pretty colors,” Nell chimed in.

  James and I laughed at the same time and then we looked at each other. He really was an attractive man, though since he was now my boss, I knew I shouldn’t really be thinking those things. But the only other man I had really seen lately was my pharmacist, Sam. And he wasn’t nearly that attractive. He didn’t come close to James.

  He looked athletic, or at least like he took care of himself, and he had kind eyes and a good strong jawline. He was hot. I let the thoughts fade away as we both tore away from the gaze I don’t think either of us realized we were still sharing.

  “I’ll see you on Monday then?” I asked.

  He nodded his head. “E
ight AM would be great.”

  “Eight AM it is,” I said. Then I looked at Nell. “Thank you, Nell. It was wonderful meeting you.”

  “It was nice meeting you too, Rachel,” she said.

  “You remembered my name?” I asked.

  She nodded her head, “Yeah. You’re nice. I always remember nice people’s names.”

  James and I both laughed at that. Then I turned toward the door so I could leave.

  “Thank you, and I’ll see you Monday,” I said.

  “See you Monday, Rachel.”

  The way he said my name sent a chill through my body. It was a strange feeling, and I hadn’t felt anything like it in years.

  As I walked down the sidewalk toward my house, I thought about Sadie and how she had said that a job could make me feel better. I was surprised to find that I did feel a little better. Like I had a purpose again. A reason to get up and leave my house. Maybe that’s what she meant.

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Sadie’s number.

  “Hey!” she said in a sing-song voice when she answered on the third ring.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “What are you up to?” she asked.

  “Well, I just walked out of that art gallery a couple blocks from my house, the big one that has art shows sometimes, on the weekend?”

  “Good for you, honey; did you enjoy looking around?”

  “Yes, but I did a little more than that.”

  “What do you mean? Do they do classes or something? That would be so great for you.”

  “Well, they were hiring, so I went in to ask about it and met the owner and his adorable daughter, and well, I guess I have a job.”

  “What. O-M-G, you don’t mess around, girl! Rach, I am so proud of you, really. Congratulations!” she said, and she legitimately happy for me and that made me feel even better.

  “I just wanted to call and tell you thank you for telling me to get a job. It’s strange, but I do already feel a bit better about life. Like I have a purpose now or something,” I told her.

  “You’re welcome. Oh, honey, I knew it would help, and that’s why I was pushing you to do it so much. I know what a big step that was and how hard it may have been for you to take such a big step. You are amazing!”

  We got off the phone, and I made my way back to my apartment. When I got there, I went inside and didn’t immediately lay down on my couch or bed. Instead, I unloaded the dishes in the dishwasher that Sadie had loaded and started for me when she had been there earlier in the week. I cleaned up my trash, even taking it all the way down to the dumpster. This was typically a trip I only made once a week when the trash truck would come.

  Then I gathered up all my clothes and started some laundry. Even though I had a washer and dryer in my apartment, I had hardly ever used it. I wasn’t even sure why. As I worked, I realized that I really was starting to feel better already, and was excited to see what might come from the job I had just accepted.

  Chapter Seven

  James

  I woke up at five, and though I didn’t have to be awake until six-thirty, I got out of bed anyway. Today was a big day, a big day for my baby girl, and I felt a piece of my heart break. She was starting kindergarten, and her mom was not around to be here for it. To share the occasion with Nell, and with me. I didn’t think Nell would be bothered by it much, but it was bothering me enough for both of us.

  We jumped into the car and made the trip to her school. There were tons of cars, and kids and parents streaming everywhere. It seemed chaotic, and I wasn’t ready for it. For her to start school already at all, much less to navigate this scene on her own. Before I knew it, she would be graduating high school, and then what would I do with myself?

  We walked through the parking lot and made our way to the field where parents and children were standing around.

  “Are you excited?” I asked Nell as we walked.

  She was wearing a little red and black plaid skirt with white tights and a red shirt with a black cat on the front. It was her ‘first day of school outfit’ that she had picked out a month before and never worn until today.

  She patted the sides of her skirt and checked her Hello Kitty backpack, adjusting the straps on her shoulders.

  “Yes, Daddy. I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life,” she said.

  I laughed because it had really only been a year since she found out school even existed.

  “I’m glad,” I said, and I was. This day was difficult enough without her being terrified.

  We walked over to where kids were starting to line up. We found her teacher’s name and I introduced us both. Her teacher, Mrs. Meyers, seemed to be very pleasant.

  “Remember, Rachel will be watching you this afternoon,” I said to Nell.

  She nodded her head, “I know, I’m so excited.”

  I loved that she liked Rachel so much, even though they had barely even had a chance to talk. It warmed my heart to see that she liked her so much. It was going to make things easier for me.

  There were kids all over the place, different ages and sizes, all running around. It was a little overwhelming to me, and I was surprised Nell didn’t feel the same. She wasn’t crying and still didn’t look nervous at all.

  “You can go now, Daddy,” Nell said.

  I wasn’t sure how to react to that. For the first time in her life, Nell didn’t need me. If I said it didn’t hurt my feelings, I would have been lying. Because it did. Part of me wanted her to be like the kid that was currently screaming and crying. But then again, I liked the way my Nell was. She was mature, smart and confident. I just hoped that she would hold onto that for the rest of her life.

  I gave Nell a big hug and kiss, and told her to have a great day.

  “You too, Daddy. Be nice to Rachel today,” she said.

  I felt like she was more excited about Rachel than I was. Though to be fair, she had spent some time bonding with, Rachel which was what made me like her in the first place.

  I gave Nell another hug and then I watched as the teacher led the students into her classroom through the back and then I walked back to my car, got in, and drove to the gallery. I was trying hard to keep it all together. I didn’t want to break down when I was about to see Rachel. I didn’t want to have to explain my story to her right now.

  But it made me wonder what her smile was. She seemed a little lost the other day. A little broken too.

  Ten minutes later, I pulled up to the gallery, and there she was, already standing outside waiting for me. I loved that she was so punctual even though it was her very first day.

  “You’re here already; I like that,” I said and glanced at my watch. “Fifteen minutes early.”

  “Actually thirty,” she admitted.

  “Wow. That’s amazing, Rachel. My last assistant couldn’t be bothered to show up on time. I think the only time she was on time was because she had passed out on the sidewalk from drinking at the bar down the street.”

  Rachel grimaced, and I laughed.

  Unlocking the door to the gallery, I held it open for her. She came inside and politely thanked me.

  “Have you ever had an assistant job before?” I asked her.

  She nodded, her eyes wandering over the remaining pieces from the show over the weekend. “Sort of. I was a TA back in college,” she said. “But other than that, not really. But I’m a fast learner.”

  I saw her looking around the gallery, and I was sure she was looking for the gold and black piece that she had loved so much.

  “It sold. It was one of the first to go,” I told her.

  “How did you know what I was looking for?” she asked.

  “I saw the look in your eye when you saw the piece. It spoke to you, and when art speaks to you, it can be powerful. I knew you’d look for it,” I said.

  She smiled at me, one of the most beautiful smiles I had ever seen. But it didn’t reach her eyes, which made me wonder just what she had been through. What she was hiding? Shaking
my head, I reminded myself it wasn’t any of my business.

  I smiled at her. “Alright, let’s sit down, and I’ll give you a rundown of everything you’ll be doing for me.”

  She nodded, and we sat down on the couch that was near the front desk.

  “As my assistant, you’ll be answering the phone here. This is the line that all my artists will call when they have questions or need to book a showing or otherwise need to get in touch with me. So, you’ll answer the phone, take a message if I’m not available, and deliver the message to me right away. They cannot wait.” I wanted to tell her about Janice and how awful she was, but I didn’t want to bash on Janice the whole time. This was the start of something new, and I needed to treat it that way.

  She nodded her head, letting me know she understood.

  “You will also need to make phone calls sometimes, answer questions that have been asked on my website, and go through the comments and respond to them. You will schedule things and follow up with both clients and customers. You’ll basically be running things here in thegallery gallery for me. Is that okay?”

  She smiled, “I think I can do all of that.”

  I stared at her for a moment, not intentionally, but I just found it hard not to. She was so gorgeous, and I hadn’t looked at a woman like that in years. But here was Rachel right in front of me, like a present sent to me right when I needed it. Nell had gotten along with her great right away, and despite me almost snapping at her over a showing she wasn’t even there for, she still wanted to stick around. Something told me she needed this job as an escape from something, and perhaps not so much for the money.

  “Also, I will need you to help me by watching Nell in the afternoons until my Nanny, Esther, gets back.” I hoped this wasn’t going to be a deal breaker, and I waited for her to tell me it was unprofessional or didn’t seem right to her.

  “I can do that; she’s a real sweetheart,” she said. It was so nice to hear her say positive things about Nell. I was heartened by the fact that they had hit it off so well.

  Dropping Nell off had been hard, and the fact that she hadn’t particularly needed me, coupled with Whitney not being here to share it, was all still weighing heavy on my heart. I wanted to be alone for a little while to collect my thoughts.