by Scott, Lisa
Taking the elevator to the modest apartment she shared with her stepmother, she crossed her fingers that something good would come her way soon. Life shouldn’t be this stagnant at age twenty-three, she thought to herself.
She bumped the front door open with her hip, and Veronica, her stepmother, looked up from her magazine, smiling like a hawk. Nothing good ever followed that look. “I’ve got wonderful news,” she said. “I’ve found you a job. Now you can start contributing to the rent. It may be a cheap hovel thanks to your father’s business dealings, but still, there are bills to be paid.”
Shaw groaned. She stopped taking her stepmother’s bait soon after her father died. Veronica missed the money; Shaw missed her father. End of story. “Veronica, I just got back from an audition, and I have another one lined up tomorrow. I’ll find something.”
Veronica rolled her eyes. “When are you going to give up on that silly idea?”
“I’m not giving up.”
“Well, this will tide you over until you get that big call. And it’s urgent. The man I’m seeing needs a nanny. I can’t stand one more minute watching those kids. One of the little ones has a cough.” She wrinkled her nose. “I could get sick.”
Shaw flopped onto the couch and stared at the ceiling. Dealing with her stepmother was more like wrangling a ridiculous older sister. She was a child pageant queen all grown up; she lived by different rules. “You do realize if you marry him, he’ll expect you to help with the kids.”
“No, he won’t. Jeremy has agreed to take on a nanny for the children, and I recommended you.”
Shaw laughed. “I have no experience as a nanny. I’ve never even held a baby.”
“They’re not babies. They can walk. And poop on their own, I think.” Veronica pressed her hand against her chest. “Plus, you don’t need experience when you have my recommendation. Be there tomorrow at one.”
She couldn’t turn down a job handed to her on a platter. She’d lost her waitress position because she’d skipped out for one too many auditions, she’d been too mortified to continue with the singing telegram gig, and she didn’t have any jewelry left to pawn. It couldn’t be that hard to watch a few children. Once you’ve worked as a singing “love bug” delivering flowers, anything would seem easy, right?
***
Shaw walked twenty blocks to Grimm Towers to save on cab fare. Jeremy James lived on the twenty-fifth floor in one of the swankiest buildings in the city; no wonder Veronica was chasing him. Once upon a time, Shaw’s father had been just as wealthy. But then he lost his money in a Ponzi scheme. Not too long after that, he died. That was over a year ago. Veronica had been scrambling for a new husband ever since. Not so easy to do once you hit thirty, Veronica was learning.
Standing in the lobby, Shaw sucked in a breath, certain she wouldn’t be applying for a job she didn’t want if her parents were alive. Her mother died when she was a child. If she’d grown up without knowing the real love of a mother, did she have any hope of properly caring for little kids?
She jabbed the elevator button again, like she could leave her sad memories in the lobby if only she could get on the elevator. She tapped her foot and crossed her arms.
A nanny. Could I be a nanny? Shaw was an only child, so it’s not like she had experience with siblings. Or cousins. Or kids in general, for that matter. But she did need a job. And with her voice training had come a bit of acting. She could pull this off. She had to convince Jeremy she was up to the task of watching his children. It couldn’t be that hard. Millions of people did it every day. Then, once she landed an audition, she could move on.
When she found his apartment, she rang the bell and just about dropped her purse when the door opened. A tall, handsome man with auburn hair, flecked with gray, smiled at her. Shaw hadn’t been expecting this. Veronica wasn’t fussy about looks, so long as the man had money. A handsome face was just a bonus. Veronica must have been thinking ‘jackpot’ with this one. And he was younger than she’d expected. He appeared to be in his thirties. Her father had been fifty when he’d married Veronica.
Shaw called her up best professional-laced-with-a-splash-of-sex-voice. It worked in most situations. “Mr. James? I’m Shawna White.”
He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m so glad you’re interested in the job. It’s not easy to find someone willing to work with seven children.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he grinned.
Shaw stepped back and willed her smile to stay in place. “I’m sorry, you said seven children?”
He rubbed his chin. “Ah. Veronica didn’t tell you. No wonder you showed up.”
Veronica came up behind him and set her hand on his arm. “I’m sure I mentioned that, Shawna. How he has this wonderful little….” She circled a hand in the air searching for the right word. “Little mob of kids. A pack of them. They’re a tiny gang.” She shrugged and giggled.
Shaw clapped her hands together in mock enthusiasm. “Guess I didn’t hear you, Veronica. That’s fine, the more the merrier. Let’s meet them.”
He led her inside and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Kids? Come out to the living room and meet my new friend.”
A sound like a stampede of miniature horses filled the room. She gulped. Three tiny blond boys rushed for their daddy’s knees, nearly knocking him over. They were followed by two curly-haired girls, half a foot taller, holding hands and skipping behind them.
An older boy and girl rounded out the group; the boy with his nose in a book, the girl rolling her eyes. They were the same height, with straight, reddish-brown hair like their father. “Is that everyone?” Shaw asked, fearful there could be more.
His mouth opened, but before he could answer, three cats, two birds, a ferret and a little dog tumbled into the room. Shaw gasped.
“And we’ve got a few pets, too,” Jeremy said, rubbing the back of his head.
Shaw rocked back on her heels. “That’s no problem.” Right? Animals were easy. Although, she’d never had a pet of her own. Well, a goldfish when she was twelve that lasted three days before she fed it to death. Mental note: must not give the children too much food.
“So, let’s start with the triplets.” Jeremy pulled the three identical platinum-haired boys in front of him and tousled their heads. “This is Jordan, John, and Jake. Just turned three years old a few weeks ago.”
She flapped her hand at them. “Hi, guys. You look just like Daddy.”
They beamed up at her, while two cats wound themselves between their legs. “We’re this many.” Jake held up four fingers.
“Close, honey.” She folded down one of his fingers. “You’re this many.” Clearly, they’d need some help with their math.
Jeremy smiled at them, his adoration for the little guys evident in his grin. “Go sit on the couch, boys.”
The curly-haired girls took their place, like they’d been through this drill before. “Meet the twins, Maddie and Jenny,” he said, putting an arm around each girl.
“Don’t worry. We’re much more mature than them.” One of the girls looked over at the triplets wrestling on the couch.
Her twin nodded in agreement. “We’re six, and we’re also very intelligent. I’m Jenny.”
“And I’m Maddie. How do you know Daddy?”
“She’s Veronica step-daughter,” he said.
Jenny nodded and looked at Veronica. “So, that means you’re her mommy now?”
Veronica laughed. “Oh, no, no, no. Nooo. I’m too young to be someone’s mother. Look at me. Do I look like a mother?”
Maddie smiled up at her. “You’re the prettiest lady I know.”
Veronica didn’t even bat an eye. “Thank you sweetie. I just hit my thirties.”
Shaw planted her hand on her hip. “Really? Because I was sixteen when you married my father and I remember thinking, eww, she’s only eleven years older than me. So that would make you thirty-four now.”
Veronica didn’t look quite as pretty when her face was red. But she quick
ly recovered, and forced a big smile. “Well, it feels like I just hit the thirties. Sometimes I forget. Time goes by so quickly, doesn’t it, Jeremy?” Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she beamed at him.
“It does. I can’t believe I’m thirty-five already. With seven kids,” he said, incredulously.
Veronica’s eyes widened and she blinked at him. This must have been news to her. For once, she was chasing a man her age.
One of his older kids cleared their throat. “Dad, are you forgetting us? You know, your first born?”
“Ah, yes. My first set of twins, Lizzy and Tyler. Lizzy can keep them all in line when needed, but we’ve been struggling to find the perfect nanny. We’ve gone through sitters galore. Some kind stranger in the building kept sending us food from a catering company and sitters from an agency, but they all quit. If Veronica thinks you might be the right one, I’m listening.”
He explained how they mostly needed help in the morning when the kids get ready for school, and again after school, and then at bedtime. “The triplets are in day care, so once we’ve got them out the door, you’ve got some time to yourself.”
She let out the breath she’d been holding. “Good, because I go on auditions from time to time.”
That caught Lizzy’s attention. “Auditions? For what?”
“For singing and dancing.” Shaw did a quick shuffle step.
The triplets applauded. “Again! Again!”
Ah, so she had an in. “Maybe later. And if you’re really good, I’ll teach you how to whistle The Star Spangled Banner while standing on your head.” That particular talent had landed her a spot in a commercial, and it had the rapt attention right now of seven little kids. “Oh, and the bunny hop. Do you guys know how to do the bunny hop?”
Seven wide-eyed children stared at her, shaking their heads.
Jeremy folded his arms. “What happens if you land an audition? Would you have to leave us?”
Veronica laughed, wrinkling her nose. “I don’t think we need to worry about that. Dreams very rarely come true.”
Shaw bit her tongue. “It is very competitive out there. But it depends. Sometimes, I’m auditioning for a one shot deal, like a commercial, so that would just mean a day or two off. I’d love to land a spot in a musical, or a touring production, but hundreds of the most talented dancers in the city show up for those.” She shrugged. “Like Veronica said, it’s a long shot.”
“I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it.” Jeremy smiled at her. “Oh, and of course, free room and board is included.”
Veronica’s eyes widened and her voice raised an octave in pitch. “She’ll be living here with you? You didn’t mention that.”
Jeremy shrugged. “Of course. It’d be too much of a hassle for her, otherwise.”
Veronica set her hand on Shaw’s shoulder. “Maybe you should take some time to think about this, Shawna.”
Only Veronica insisted on calling her by her full name. She must have a list of things she could do to annoy Shaw hidden somewhere. But annoying Veronica by taking the job would be a wonderful payback for years of insults and snide remarks. Shaw fluttered her fingers, thinking it over.
Jeremy turned to the kids. “What do you say, should we try her out?”
“Yeah!” they shouted.
At that, panic swelled in her chest. “What about references? I have to be honest. I haven’t worked as a nanny before.”
He waved away her concern. “We’re a little desperate. And Veronica is a good friend. I trust her judgment.”
Veronica looked just as surprised as Shaw was to hear that declaration. Friend? Surely Veronica had thought it was something more. Oh, what was the word to describe what Shaw was feeling? Schadenfreude? Glee? Because Veronica did not deserve a man like Jeremy.
“Alright. Let’s take her on a test run.” He turned to Shaw. “What do you say we go to the zoo and we’ll see how things go?”
“I guess I could manage in these sandals,” Veronica said, inspecting her shoes. “But they are very expensive Jiminies.”
“You don’t have to come, Veronica. I know how you feel about places like the zoo. Let me spend some time with the kids and Shaw and see how we do together.”
Shaw recognized the pinched, painful look on Veronica’s face. “Of course, Jeremy. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“That’s okay. I know you’re busy, and now that Shaw’s here, I won’t need your help as much. You’ve been such a great friend the last year. I’m so lucky you got in touch after Dina died. I didn’t realize you two had been such good friends in college.”
“Yes, I miss her terribly. I’m sure she’d be pleased I was here with you now.”
Shaw tried to not to roll her eyes. Veronica had taken one class with Jeremy’s wife and had spotted her name in the obituary column. But clearly, Veronica wouldn’t be deterred by his declaration of their friendship. “I’ll give Shaw time to get settled in and then I’ll give you a call. It’s time we got to know each other better.”
Jeremy didn’t answer. While he dashed off to search for sweaters and shoes, Veronica gathered her things and gripped Shaw’s arm. “Ruin this for me, and I’ll kill you.”
Shaw blinked at her. “I’m just here for the kids.” Then she yanked her arm away. “And you were the one who insisted I take this job. But now that I’m going to be living here, I guess I don’t need to pitch in with the rent.”
You couldn’t actually see steam blowing out of a person’s ears, could you?
Jeremy approached them. “Ready, Shaw?”
Veronica’s fake sun-shiney smile was back and she leaned into him, so that he could plant a kiss on her lips if he wanted. But he patted her on the back, instead. “Thanks, again, Veronica.”
***
“Okay, kids. Let’s leave the polar bears alone. There are other things to see,” Jeremy said.
“No! I want to see them belly flop. I saw them do that once and I’m waiting till they do it again,” six-year-old Maddie said, her hands on her hips and bottom lip protruding.
“We’ve been watching them for half an hour,” Lizzie complained.
Jeremy looked up at the sky. “It’s times like this I especially miss their mother.”
They had to get this question out of the way; she might as well do it now. “What happened?” Veronica had told her his wife had died and that she had hideous hair in college, but didn’t bother with the specifics. Of the death, not the hair. Veronica had gone into great detail about the bad hair.
He sighed, and gripped the railing in front of them. “She was in a car accident. She’d just dropped the triplets off at day care and was on her way to work. We think she fell asleep at the wheel. We weren’t getting much sleep back then.”
She touched his arm. “I’m so sorry. For all of you.”
He nodded. “I try my best for them, but I just can’t do it myself.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help.” She didn’t even have to fake sounding sincere; she meant it. Although, when she turned to round up the kids, nerves bubbled through her. There were so many of them. And they didn’t stand still. And they were never quiet. Desperate times. She stuck two fingers in her mouth and whistled.
The giggling and wriggling stopped.
“Whoa,” John said. “You’re just like Thomas the Tank Engine.”
“You’re right. I am. So get behind me and let’s move this James family train to the giraffe exhibit.” She marched in place and bent her arms, rotating them like the axles on a train.
The kids laughed and hurried to line up behind her.
Jeremy nodded in approval. “Line up like a train. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You probably didn’t star in your third grade production of The Little Engine That Could, did you?”
“Nope. You got me there. See, you’re more qualified than you thought.”
With hands on the hips of the person in front of them, the conga line of kids shuffled their way to the giraffes.<
br />
Of course, then they wanted to travel like that the rest of their trip. So they waddled like penguins. They strutted like ducks, and marched like soldiers.
When they got back to Jeremy’s apartment, they didn’t want her to leave. “You’ve got the job if you want it, Shaw.”
And surprisingly, she wanted it. She really did. “Great.”
“I’ll send the movers to pick up your things tomorrow.”
***
Veronica ground her teeth the entire cab ride home. It would probably be the subway from here on out, now that she couldn’t count on any rent help from Shawna. Ugh. How had this blown up in her face? She dug her nails into her Prada bag, the last real one she owned. The rest were fakes. Shawna working as a nanny was supposed to mean more time for Jeremy to get to know Veronica. Not loads of time for him to spend with Shawna.
Veronica tucked her long, blond hair behind her ears. Those highlights cost her two hundred fifty dollars a month. Plus tip. Botox was another three hundred. Eyelash extensions were two hundred a month. It wasn’t easy or cheap being beautiful. But it was important. Shawna did very little with herself. The girl didn’t even wax her eyebrows. Veronica curled her upper lip in disgust—her recently bleached upper lip.
True, Shawna was younger than Veronica, but Jeremy certainly couldn’t find her attractive, could he? Her skin was almost as white as milk. With the contrast of her dark black hair, she practically looked like a ghost. Or a corpse. It had never crossed Veronica’s mind to worry about Shawna as a competitor before.
But she hadn’t realized Shawna would be invited to live there. Or that Jeremy would go to the zoo with them. Why couldn’t Shawna have taken the kids by herself so Veronica could get to spend time with Jeremy? That was the whole point of this venture. To move things along and become Mrs. Jeremy James. True, he would be her third husband, but one didn’t need to count. Then she’d be living in the same apartment building as her mother, and she’d be welcomed back with open arms once she landed her man.