Learning to Lean

by Mildred Colvin

  The door opened again, and Jan Waverly breezed in. “Hi, guys, I’m here now, so the day is officially started.” The kids closest to Jan give her a hug. Several others called a greeting.

  Heather smiled and waved at her full-time helper who always seemed to have energy to spare.

  By nine o’clock the daycare became a moving mass of children. Darlene commandeered the kitchen while Heather called the kids into the large playroom where a small mountain of sand stood on the table.

  “Gather around, and we’ll build a volcano before we go outside to play.” Heather waited behind the table until the kids drew close. “I have—”

  Matt Sanders filled the doorway holding his youngest daughter with his two older children beside him.

  Heather tried to never let anything interrupt her lessons, but her gaze met Matt’s, and she hesitated. She hadn’t expected him to show up. Jan stepped forward to greet the family, so Heather turned her attention back to her experiment.

  “I have baking soda here.” She indicated the top of the sand mountain. “And this is vinegar.” She held up a small cup.

  One boy spoke up. “I know what happens.”

  Heather raised her hand to stop him. “Bobby, please don’t speak out of turn. I’m sure several of you older children have seen this experiment, but the younger ones haven’t.”

  He shrugged and kept quiet while she demonstrated what looked like a volcano erupting down the mountain when she poured vinegar into the baking soda.

  The kids pressed closer, as they chattered about what they’d seen. Heather noticed Matt and his kids watching.

  “A real volcano is caused by pressure building beneath the surface of the earth.” Heather gave a short lesson on volcanoes and then handed out printed coloring sheets with a picture of a spewing volcano.

  As the kids ran to the tables and the crayons waiting there, Heather approached Matt. “Kristi, would you like to color a picture?” She smiled at the little girl and then spoke to her brother. “Ricky, I have one for you, too.”

  Ricky ducked his head with a shy grin and accepted the paper. Becka took Kristi from her father. “Come on, guys, let’s color while Dad talks to the lady.”

  Heather couldn’t help comparing Becka to Brad. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d stepped in to help her with his younger brother and sister without being coerced. She watched the three children find a place at the table before turning back to their father.

  “So, are you interested in looking us over?”

  A smile tugged the corners of his mouth upward, as he let his gaze travel over her face. “Sure am.”

  She could have kicked herself for not being more careful in her choice of words. She turned away to hide the flush covering her face. Why hadn’t his wife come with him? If she had a handsome husband who looked at other women like that, she’d keep him on a short leash.

  “This is the playroom.” Heather motioned around the busy room where they stood. “As you can see, the children use this room to color and for crafts. We also have several play stations along two walls with different opportunities for exploration in each.”

  Feeling a little more in control, Heather walked out of the playroom with Matt following. She touched the old upright piano. “This is our music room, which doubles as a reading area.”

  She explained the activities in each room, and Matt listened without comment. When they reached her office, she stopped.

  “So, what do you think? Are you interested in an application?”

  A stampede of children burst through the doorway of the playroom and pounded toward them, their childish voices raised in excitement. Matt’s arm brushed Heather’s in the narrow hallway when they both pressed back out of the way.

  “Got here just in time, didn’t I?” Toni Brock, Heather’s third helper, stepped through the door as the stragglers went out. “Let me put my purse up, and I’ll go back out.” She waved at Heather as she went by.

  Matt shook his head. “Wow. I thought my three were noisy.”

  Heather laughed and pushed through the office door. She pointed to the chair beside her desk. “If you’d like to fill out the application have a seat, and we’ll go over the required paperwork.”

  Matt sat down and rested his arm on her desk. “I’ll only enroll Kristi. Can you tell me what your rate is?”

  Heather sat at her desk and searched his face. Usually parents enrolled only the youngest if they couldn’t afford to pay for the others. Did his wife work? Maybe he didn’t realize she offered after school care. She didn’t approve of latchkey kids and often gave a discount to help parents provide adequate care for their school-aged children.

  She handed him the enrollment form and quoted her daily rate for preschoolers. “I discount multiple enrollments. We also provide after-school care if you’re interested.”

  Matt tapped his pen against the enrollment form. “Let’s go with only Kristi right now.”

  Heather reached for the other forms. “You’ll need to fill out the enrollment and these. We need a doctor’s signature on this physical form and a copy of her vaccinations.”

  Heather handed him the papers and fought the urge to run from the room. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so restless in the presence of a parent. Surely she had gotten over her embarrassment of their meeting at the store by now. Even while she wished that were the reason for the strange churning in her emotions, she knew something else bothered her. She cleared her throat. “Why don’t you start on those forms? I’ll be right back.”

  Heather slipped past Matt. She hadn’t experienced such an awareness of a man since her high school days when Darrell asked her to the homecoming football game. She went to the kitchen. Darlene stood at the stove with hamburger browning while she added noodles to boiling water.

  “Looks like everything’s taken care of in here.”

  Darlene scarcely glanced up. “Just as you expected, huh?”

  “You’re right.” Heather laughed. “I’ve got such a good staff, I sometimes wonder why I bother to come in.”

  The older woman’s gaze met Heather’s. “We know our jobs, that’s true, but you put life into everything we do.”

  Heather smiled at Darlene’s praise. “Looks like we’re getting another two-year-old. Guess I’d better go back to make sure the paperwork is filled out right.”

  “Sure, you go ahead. I’ve got lunch covered.” Darlene turned away as if dismissing her boss.

  Heather shook her head and turned back toward the office. She stopped in the hall to listen for a moment to the voices of the children on the playground calling to one another. She enjoyed being around children and loved her job. A fact she once would’ve thanked God for. But she had stopped praying when Darrell died and her world fell apart. With a heartfelt sigh, Heather stepped into the office.

  “How are you coming along?”

  Matt looked up at the sound of her voice. His smile stirred something in her heart that she quickly tamped down. “I think I’m getting there. Here’s the enrollment form.”

  Heather quickly scanned the paper he handed her. In the space for “Mother’s Name,” he had written the word deceased. Without thinking, she murmured, “My husband died four years ago.”

  Her eyes widened as she stared at him. “Oh, I’m so sorry. It’s just that I noticed on the form—I mean, I see that your wife—”

  Matt nodded. “It’s all right, Mrs. Conway. Eva’s been gone two years. Sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago.”

  Heather met his gentle smile. She spoke barely above a whisper. “Yes, I know.”

  ~*~

  Matt studied Heather as she skimmed over the forms he’d filled out. She wore her long brown hair in a ponytail that swayed when she moved. Her large blue eyes held a hint of sadness, yet her smile brightened her face. He turned away, afraid she might read his thoughts when she looked up.

  He liked the daycare and wondered if God had led him to meet the owner as an answer to one of his obvious n
eeds. The kids had made themselves at home without a fuss. Of course, Kristi would be happy anywhere as long as Becka stayed with her. Mrs. Conway could well have her hands full when they left Kristi by herself.

  At that moment she glanced up with a smile. His breath caught. She was full of life and energy in exactly the way a woman who cared for children should be.

  The picture of her surrounded by her own children in the store filled his mind, and he winced. The lady already had her hands full. He should know from his own responsibilities. Besides, he could add. Three plus three made too many. Heather Conway might be the most appealing lady he’d seen in a long time, but she wasn’t for him.

  “Is everything all right?” He stood, eager to get away from the magnetic force of this daycare provider before he did something stupid like ask her out.

  She nodded. “Yes, I think it’s fine. Be sure to get the medical requirements taken care of. Kristen has no allergies and no special requirements?”

  Matt grinned. “Nothing she won’t grow out of.”

  When Heather’s expression turned quizzical, he chuckled. “Sorry, that’s been my battle cry in raising my kids. You know, with the spills, the potty training, and the other thousand or so things they do every day. I remind myself that ‘this too shall pass.’”

  Heather laughed softly. “Ah, I understand. All parents need that attitude.”

  Matt sobered. He liked Heather’s laugh. In fact, he wouldn’t mind listening to it again. He had a feeling they could find a lot of kid anecdotes to laugh over if they took the time. But he didn’t plan to stick around to find out. He had a job waiting, and he needed to get his mind on business instead of admiring a woman he didn’t need. He stepped toward the door.

  “If we’re through here, I’ll round up my older two and see if we can get away without a fuss from Kristi.”

  “Of course.” Heather placed the papers on her desk. “Maybe I can help.”

  He opened the outside door and stepped back to let Heather go first. Her quick smile as he followed her out on the front covered porch made him want more than appreciation for his chivalry.

  Turning his attention to the playground, Matt scanned the teeming children until he spotted his oldest daughter standing beside the slide. She reached toward a small child, encouraging him to slide down. Before he safely reached the ground, another child appeared at the top of the slide. “Becka, Becka, catch me.”

  Matt watched the second child slide into Becka’s hands, and then Kristen poked her head through the opening at the top of the slide.

  “Looks like your daughter is a natural with the little ones.” Heather spoke beside him.

  “Yes, she is.” Matt nodded. “I’m not sure what I would have done without her the last two years.”

  “Hey, Dad.” Ricky barreled into him with the spirit and enthusiasm of a typical nine-year-old. “This is way cool. Can I stay and play?”

  “Not today.” Matt playfully cuffed his shoulder. He motioned for Becka. She lifted her little sister and headed toward them, a chorus of little voices calling out. “Becka, where you going? I want you to catch me.”

  Becka turned and waved at several toddlers who seemed bewildered by her abrupt departure. “I’ve got to go home. Maybe I can come and play with you some other day. Okay?”

  She earned smiles as they said, “Okay.” Then they scattered, finding something else to occupy their time.

  Matt took Kristi and gave her a hug and kiss. “Hey, Precious, are you having fun?”

  She squirmed to get down. “Go play.”

  Matt laughed and set her feet on the ground. He squatted, still encircling her in his arms. “I promise you can play, but Daddy’s got to go to work, and Becka and Ricky have work to do, too.”

  He pointed his thumb toward Heather. “Will you be a big girl and stay with this nice lady while we work?”

  Kristi stared at Heather with large blue eyes. “Becka stay.”

  Heather knelt to Kristi’s level. She pointed to a miniature cottage in the corner of the playground. A couple of little girls near Kristi’s age ran out the door and turned to run back inside again. “Do you see the playhouse over there?”

  Kristi nodded.

  “Why don’t we go see what’s inside?”

  Kristi looked up at Matt and Becka.

  Becka said, “We’ll be back as soon as we finish working, and then I want you to tell me what you found in that house.”

  Kristi looked back at the playhouse. Matt released his little daughter, as she ran off without waiting for Heather.

  Heather stood and laughed. “She’ll be fine. I’ll go make sure she’s accepted into the house and finds plenty of good things to report to you. We’ll see you before six.”

  Heather walked across the small cushioning rock covering the playground. Kristi would be fine, but he still hated to leave her alone. Kristi squealed when Heather squatted beside the playhouse playing peek-a-boo with her through one of the windows. Her little face popped into the open window and then disappeared as she squealed again. He turned to his older children.

  “Let’s go while she’s having fun.”

  They left with a few backward glances. Matt opened the gate and let the kids go through. A young teenage boy stood on the sidewalk, waiting until they were all outside the yard.

  “Hey, I remember you. You’re the people from the store. So, I see you found a daycare, huh?” He grinned at his own joke.

  Matt smiled. “Yeah, it looks like we have.”

  “My mom’s got the best one in town.” Brad swept an arm out indicating the playground and remodeled house. “All the kids like coming here.”

  “I imagine they do.”

  “Yeah. Well, take care.”

  “You, too.” Matt’s next stop was the public school where he spent several more minutes enrolling his two oldest. Since he’d brought transcripts and vaccination records from their former school, the process took less time than he’d expected. After a tour of the building to let the kids find their classrooms, they left.

  “Our next job is putting up some flyers to advertise my services.” Matt wasn’t surprised by the immediate groans from Becka and Ricky.

  “What? You don’t want to contribute to the family coffers?”

  “What’s a family coffin?” Ricky asked.

  Becka turned toward the back seat and frowned at her brother. “Coffer, not coffin. It means Dad wants us to help him make money to support the family.”

  “Cool. I thought we already had lots of money.”

  “Not exactly. We have money invested and in savings, but I’m not ready to retire yet.” Matt held up several printed flyers. “I want you to stick these up in stores where people will notice them. You know, on bulletin boards and in windows where you get permission. This is a small town. It shouldn’t take long with all three of us working.”

  “Did you leave one at the daycare?” Becka asked.

  “I didn’t think to, but I will when we pick up Kristi.” He’d been too busy fighting his attraction to Heather to think of the flyers.

  Becka slumped in her seat. “Let’s get this over with.”

  After they covered the downtown stores, Matt drove to the grocery store on the highway. He handed a flyer to his son. “Here, Ricky, see if there’s a bulletin board while Becka and I order our lunch.”

  Ricky grabbed the paper and ran inside with Matt and Becka following. By the time they reached the deli, he joined them.

  A few minutes later, Matt pulled into the driveway at the rental house they now called home and shut off the ignition. The kids beat him to the door. He unlocked it and let them in. His heart swelled with pride when Becka set out sandwiches from the deli and poured them each a tall glass of iced tea without being asked. She was growing up way too fast.

  When they finished eating, Matt leaned back in his chair. “I’ve got a roofing job this afternoon. Ricky, I want you to obey Becka, so I can trust you both to be good while I’m gone.”
/>   “We’ll be fine, Daddy,” Becka assured him.

  Ricky shrugged. “I won’t do anything dumb.”

  “I’ve got my cell phone with me, but don’t call unless you have an emergency. I can’t be climbing off a roof to help you find your ball glove.”

  Ricky gave him a sheepish grin. “Dad, I was only seven then.”

  “Glad to hear you’re grownup now.”

  Becka put her hands on Ricky’s shoulders. “We’ll be good, won’t we, Ricky?”

  He twisted away from her with a scowl. “Course.”

  Matt looked from one to the other and misgivings nagged deep inside. If he didn’t go to work, he’d never get his “Jack of all trades” business off the ground. He had a roofing job this afternoon and plumbing work tomorrow. The best advertisement was a satisfied customer, and that’s what he intended to earn by five thirty tonight if his kids cooperated. Maybe he should enroll them all in daycare. But the two older ones should be fine until Summer vacation ended.

  He patted his cell phone. “Remember, guys, emergencies only, and there better not be an emergency.”

  ~*~*~*~

  ~Three~

  Matt lifted his face to the warm August breeze while he wiped the back of his neck with his bandana. After working several hours in the hot sun he deserved a break, but he refused to spare the time. He swallowed tepid water from his canister and went back to work. His nail gun made a rhythmic sound as he secured the new roofing with a sure hand. A country music ringtone sounded from his pocket at the same time he reached for another shingle.

  His heart sank as he recognized the ring. Becka wouldn’t call unless there was a real emergency.

  He flipped the phone open. “Hey, what’s going on?”

  “Daddy, I’m sorry.” Becka’s frantic voice made his heart skip. “You’ve got to come home. There’s something in the house.”

  “Something? Like an animal?”

  “I don’t know. No, it’s an odor. Like gas, but I don’t think it’s gas. I don’t know.”

  She smelled something, but not a gas leak? Matt glanced from the pile of shingles to his watch. Almost four. He didn’t have time for this.