Stranded

by Chance Carter

  “Well, can’t my dad just pay for you? He’s got buckets of money!”

  I choke a little at this. I couldn’t have him do that. I don’t need charity. And I need to prove I’m not some lost little girl who needs help.

  “Well, I couldn’t accept that Marnie. He’s much too nice to me, your Dad is.” I sigh a little, “Way too nice.”

  Marnie stops talking for a moment and I can tell she wants to say something. I can see something bubbling up to the surface, but she seems to have a handle on things.

  “What do you say I make you some chicken soup?” I wink at her, “Always makes me feel better when I’m feeling ill.”

  Marnie nods, and follows me to the kitchen.

  As I start gathering up a few things, Marnie finally is unable to control herself, and just bursts out with—

  “He’s got a crush on you, so he’d do anything to keep you around!” she pants a little, seeming relieved.

  “Held it in as long as you could, didn’t you, kiddo?” I say, knowingly. It’s uncanny how she manages to pick up on these things. I go and sit next to her, putting the soup on hold.

  “He would pay for you if you asked him to,” she says, looking up at me.

  “Yes, sweetie, I know. He is such a lovely guy.”

  I pause, trying to break out of my daze, “But if I took that money from him, knowing that it’s because he’s got a crush on me, don’t you think that would be taking advantage of him?”

  Marnie thinks for a moment, then sighs, “I guess… but I really want you to stay, too! So doesn’t that make it okay?”

  “That’s sweet honey, but I can’t accept it. I’ve got to be a big girl and take care of myself.”

  “But Daddy will take care of you, just like he did with Mom.”

  Oh shoot, I didn’t want to get onto that topic.

  “But Daddy says that’s why she left… because he kept doing everything for her and she got bored of him. Don’t tell him I said that! I wasn’t supposed to be listening!” she starts to whisper. “It was a secret phone call.”

  I freeze for a second, because up until this moment I thought Marnie’s mom was dead. Then again, I was going by the words of a seven year old.

  “So, don’t take any money from him! He doesn’t want to spoil you! And I don’t want you to leave!”

  Oh gosh, now I feel bad. “Marnie, I’m not going anywhere. What kind of nanny would I be if I taught you it was okay to leave the people you care about?”

  She smiles at me, and I had a thought. If I’m going to be a good nanny for Marnie, I need to know the situation. If Marnie’s mother isn’t dead, I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad to ask about her.

  “So, what is your Mom like?”

  “She was never really around to look after me, so I don’t really know. And that’s why I never saw Daddy either, because he was so busy.” Marnie shrugs, “But I know she didn’t like Daddy very much. She was always shouting at him if he didn’t do something she asked.”

  Gosh, I guess things really weren’t that great. I kind of feel bad for him now, he doesn’t deserve that.

  “And, he hasn’t really had anyone or any friends since then… just me,” she scoots a little closer to me and whispers, “I think it’s starting to get to him.”

  “You think…?”

  “He needs a girlfriend.”

  “Ah… is that why you asked me that, when I first got here?”

  She nods a little sternly, “I need to look after him. He takes care of everyone around him and there’s no one to take care of him. And honestly, it’s exhausting for me,” she says as she flops back in her seat like a ragdoll.

  I can’t believe I’m really having this conversation with her. Am I really going to gossip about her dad with her?

  “Well, I’ll try and take some of the weight off your shoulders.” I can’t help but laugh, “You’re very clever for your age aren’t you? Being able to work all this out.”

  “I’m seven, not stupid,” she says proudly. “Just because I can’t spell girlfriend yet doesn’t mean I don’t know when someone needs one.”

  “Well then, I’m not really sure how to react to that. I mean there have been moments—”

  “Really?” she jumps up and looks extremely excited, “You should go for it! That would be so cool! Are you and Daddy going to get married? Can I be a bridesmaid! Can I, can I?”

  “Whoa, calm down there girl. All I said was moments.” Marnie is still buzzing like she’s just eaten a few sugar packets. “Moments, could mean anything! I may have even been changing the subject.” I roll my eyes.

  “But you weren’t though, right?”

  “Well, I am now! Why don’t you tell me about school?”

  Marnie sighs agitatedly.

  “Oh, come on, are there any boys that you like?” I nudge her in the side.

  Her eyes widen and her cheeks go bright red.

  “Ooh, is that a yes?” I giggle.

  “No!” she snaps.

  “I remember when I was your age. A boy in my class decided to give me a Valentine card in front of the whole class at lunch.”

  “Aw, what did you say?” Marnie asks, calming down a little.

  “It’s hard to remember, but I’m pretty sure I got so embarrassed that I puked all over him and had to be sent home.”

  I cringe a bit. It was such a long time ago, but I still feel silly when I think about it.

  “I got called barf girl for the rest of the year. Kids can be cruel.”

  “Yeah and unimaginative,” Marnie adds, laughing at me. “I’d have called you Vomitine’s Day!” she laughs even harder and I laugh along with her.

  “Hah, yeah. I guess that is a better nickname. Good one.”

  Chapter 15

  Ella

  Okay, people are looking at me, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with that. They’re just wondering who I am because they are used to seeing the same people here five days a week.

  Gosh, I didn’t realize picking Marnie up from school would be so stressful. Maybe it wouldn’t be so stressful if I weren’t already stressed. So I guess there’s that. I’m on edge because my horrible landlord decided to come all the way over to my apartment just to yell at me again about the rent. He’s been getting worse recently. I really feel like his head’s going to explode some times.

  Anyway, just breathe and look happy, because you don’t want Marnie worrying about you, do you?

  No. Exactly. Now, just calm down.

  The kids are coming out now. Marnie is with a group of girls and they seem nice as they all wave to her when they leave to meet their parents. Marnie gets super excited when she sees me and comes rushing over to give me a big hug.

  “Aw, hey there, kiddo. Did you miss me?”

  “Yes Miss Ella, of course I missed you!” she says, squeezing me tighter.

  “Now, didn’t I tell you that you didn’t have to call me that? You’ve just got to call me Ella, alright?”

  “Alright, Ella,” she grins up at me.

  “Now, since it’s super hot out, I was thinking we should go get some ice cream on the way home? How does that sound?”

  “Yay!” she shouts excitedly, as we turn to leave.

  “Excuse me, excuse me!”

  I hear someone coming toward me. It’s a woman’s voice and I can’t tell if the clicking is her heels or her hand, snapping her fingers like someone might to get the attention of someone they believe to be lower status than them.

  Thanks, whoever you are. I sigh and turn around.

  “Yes?” I ask

  “Sorry. Hello,” an older woman says, “Avery Wallace.”

  She stares at me waiting for me to introduce myself.

  “I’m Ella,” I reply.

  I don’t really have time to deal with moms anymore. I had my fair share when I was a teacher. TA… I guess.

  She continues to stare.

  “Ella, LeBlanc?” I add, questioningly.

  I wish she would stop
staring at me like this.

  “Hello there, Marnie,” she says, crouching down to Marnie.

  “Hi…” Marnie gives her a polite smile and tugs at my leggings to try and get me to leave.

  “Sorry, can I help you or something?” I ask, getting a little annoyed now.

  “Yes, I was wondering exactly who you are?” she snaps at me.

  “Come again?” I’m actually a little shocked. This is weird.

  “Because I pride myself on knowing everyone around here—”

  On being nosey, you mean.

  “And I know that Marnie is Joe Abercrombie’s daughter, and well… you’re obviously not her mother. So who are you?”

  “I’m her nanny. Joe asked me to pick her up while he was at work,” I reply, my tone a little short.

  I’m really not up for this today. It’s pretty obvious that I’m not her mother, but come on… isn’t this a little bit much?

  “Was there something that you wanted? Marnie and I have ice cream to get.”

  She looks shocked that I would speak to her in this fashion. I swear if she calls me the help I’m going to flip.

  “Where is Joe?” she asks, as if there wasn’t anything else she could say.

  “He’s at work today,” I narrow my eyes at her.

  “Well, when he gets back could you get a message to him from me?”

  “Gosh, sorry I’ve not brought my notepad.”

  Again, she looks shocked. But she’s being awfully rude to me, so why should I be nice?

  “Could you just ask him to return a phone call from me please. I left a message.”

  “I’m sure I can do that,” I pretend to smile as I take Marnie’s hand and turn to leave.

  I can tell that the woman is itching to say something else, but Marnie and I get away quicker than she is able to think of another snobby remark.

  “I don’t like her,” Marnie says to me.

  “Gosh, Marnie, that’s awfully rude to say,” I pause, “within earshot of her, anyway.”

  We giggle together as we head off to the ice cream place. I really shouldn’t encourage her to be rude to people, and I did set a very bad example just then, but that woman… I can just tell. I bet that’s the one Joe had his awkward encounter with.

  She seems the type to think that she can get whatever she wants just by knowing the right people, and it really doesn’t seem like she’s used to not getting her way.

  “So, where were we going again?” I ask to Marnie, pretending not to remember.

  “Ice cream, you said we would get ice cream!” she shouts, tugging at my sleeve.

  “Did I? I don’t remember that!” I tilt my head.

  “Ella, come on!”

  “Oh, alright. Let’s go then!

  “Okay!” she says cheerfully, pulling me along with her.

  * * *

  As Marnie and I walk through the door of the house, I check to make sure there’s no evidence of ice cream. It’s not that she isn’t allowed, just that the rule is usually no dessert before dinner.

  But, it made me think back to the days when I would walk home from school by myself. If the ice cream man showed up, I’d almost always buy an ice cream cone.

  “Can you smell food?” Marnie asks, sniffing the air.

  “Gosh, don’t make me think about food. I could barely finish that ice cream.”

  We walk through to the living room to see that the sliding doors are open and Joe is outside in the garden, standing by a very impressive BBQ.

  “Daddy’s home!” Marnie shouts, dropping her school bag on the floor and running out to her father to give him a huge hug.

  “Hey, there’s my girl!” he says, picking up Marnie and swinging her around in the air.

  She laughs, when he puts her down, spinning dizzily.

  “And my girl’s girl, too,” he smiles at me, making me blush a little.

  “What are you doing back so early? We didn’t expect you till about 6?” I say to him.

  “What, I can’t surprise you guys?” he grins, while flipping the burgers on the grill. “I was fed up with being stuck inside on such a beautiful day, so I decided to take the afternoon off! I thought we could have a BBQ by the pool.”

  “Yay! I love the pool!” Marnie shouts. “Daddy,” she says, looking at the food on the grill. “Did you get the vegetarian ones I asked about?”

  “Oh. No, sweetheart, I didn’t. I didn’t think you were being serious, because at the time you asked that question you were eating chicken nuggets,” he says, trying not to laugh.

  “But that doesn’t count, chicken tastes so good!” she says.

  I really can’t get enough of this kid, she’s so funny.

  “Don’t worry, I still got you lots of chicken,” Joe replies.

  “Yay!” she hugs her dad again, before walking over to the pool.

  “Marnie, remember what we talked about the other day? About using the pool?” Joe asks, with a stern voice, not even turning around. It was like he just knew that she was there.

  “Always wear a swim suit,” Marnie recites, sulkily.

  “That’s right. Now go and get changed,” he says, as Marnie runs back into the house. “And bring a towel down this time!” he shouts after her.

  “You know she’s not going to, right?” I say to Joe, moving over to one of the loungers.

  “I have to try at least,” he sighs. “And where were you guys anyway, I was expecting you back about half an hour ago?” He raises his eyebrow at me.

  Crap, he caught me, not really sure what to say.

  “Well, first I got cornered by this lovely woman,” I say, with a very sour tone.

  “Ah, so you’ve met Avery,” he says, knowingly.

  “She was just being a bit rude about me picking up Marnie, probably wanting to see you. She also said she wants you to return her phone call.”

  “Oh gosh yeah, she wants to set up another play date for Marnie and Jenna, and I’m not sure how to respond without entering into any sort of social contract. You know?”

  “Yeah, I understand.” I try my best not to laugh at the poor guy.

  “Then what...?” he asks.

  “Well, we just took a scenic route back here.” I can’t look him in the eyes because I bet he knows exactly where we went.

  “The ice cream place down the road from the school, eh?” he says, a cheerful glint in his eye.

  “How did you guess?” I ask, my cheeks going a little pink.

  “Marnie and I found it on our first day here. Actually that’s where we went after I accidentally bumped into you!” he laughs.

  Oh wow, he remembers that, that’s crazy.

  “Sorry about that, again. Got lost in my thoughts.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” I blush a little, recalling all the time I’ve spent thinking about that moment… I was lost in my thoughts, too.

  “But is everything else okay? You seem a little down,” he asks, turning to face me.

  I’d been fake smiling for so long I’d almost forgotten that the smiles were fake. Almost.

  But then I remembered and my smile faded.

  “My landlord came to check up on me earlier today,” I say, my head sinking down.

  Joe accidentally chops up a sausage on the grill. “Check up?” he asks, like he’s trying to contain himself. “What does that mean?”

  “Yeah, just to have a go at me about the rent, and remind me about next month’s by having a go at me again.”

  “Ella, he sounds like such an awful person. You really don’t deserve it! Why don’t you just come and live here? Be full time for Marnie and me.”

  “Wow. That would be awesome, I’d love to. To be honest it’d be so much easier.”

  We both freeze for a moment. What is he saying? What am I saying?

  Did he really just ask that, and did I say yes?

  “I know Marnie would really appreciate it. And, I wouldn’t have to be so rushed in the mornings.”

  “Yeah, I’m
thinking about it, which is the weird thing…” I offer a weak smile, but my mind is too busy to speak right now. It would be great. My landlord is terrible. But then… would there be anything stopping Joe and I from eventually falling into bed together?

  I want to, God knows I want to, and I’m pretty sure he does too. Could that be why he asked? No, surely not.

  “I mean, you were going to move in with someone before… I promise I’ll be better than him,” Joe smiles.

  I sigh. I know he means well, but why would he mention that? Oh yeah. Because he doesn’t know. I feel like I’m lying to him. He should know, so that he knows why I am how I am.

  “And if that guy decided he didn’t want you, he can’t be all that great or smart! So it shouldn’t be that hard.”

  I laugh a little.

  “But I guess there are probably a few guys like that, huh? I bet you’ve left a trail of broken hearts, eh?”

  Please stop.

  “Oh yeah, there have been a few!”

  What are you saying?

  It’s like he seems a little upset. Oh Lord, what have I done, why can’t I stop lying. Stupid Ella!

  “Listen, I’ll think about it okay?” I say, trying to calm down. His smile returns and my heart beats violently in my throat. I will think about it. It would be so much better than my current place.

  And who knows, maybe I’ll get a chance to tell him the truth. Then he won’t want to date me so we can just work together.

  But then… what if he finds someone else? I don’t think I could handle seeing him with someone else.

  “Ella!” Marnie shouts from behind me, “Are you going to go swimming too?”

  This is good, a change of subject! Thank you, sweetie.

  “No, I’m not. I’ve not got anything to change in to!”

  “Aw, just me then!” she smiles, walking up to the pool.

  “Although, I remember a certain time when I went into the pool wearing my own clothes,” I say, standing up and moving over to Marnie.

  She freezes and bites her bottom lip so she can’t reply.

  “Yeah, I think somebody pushed me in, do you think you know who that was, Marnie?”