“Good. Better, actually. They love the new nanny,” Mel said with a sad smile. “You’ll never believe it, but we’ve got them picking up their toys and putting clothes in the hamper.”
“Ah, so they’re like well-trained monkeys now, huh?” Her dad smiled.
“You could say that.”
“That’s the male nanny?” Her mother squinted into the phone. It was her tell when she didn’t like something but wouldn’t come right out and say it, like she was hoping she heard wrong or something, and by squinting, she might hear right. Mel didn’t have the heart to remind her that her ears were not connected to her eyes.
“Yeah. He’s great though.”
“But he’s temporary, right?”
“Yeah. He’s helping me find a replacement though for when he’s through.”
“Oh, good. Good.” Her mother nodded. “Anything else new? Did you meet anybody new? Any new friends?” her mom asked in that trademark tone of hers that signaled she was trying to be subtle but wasn’t. “Friends” for her mother was usually code for “men.”
“Not really,” Mel said, but an image of Blake flashed in her head.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Her mom frowned like she always did when she got
this answer. “I pray every day—”
“I know, Mom. You pray every day that I’ll meet a nice man, and we’ll live happily ever after.” Mel rolled her eyes, forgetting they could see her.
“I just want to see you happy.”
“I know. But I am happy.” Why did she think calling them would make her feel better again?
Her father turned to her mother now. “Don’t bug her, Pat. Leave her be. She’s living her life, happy as a single gal. It’s the way now.”
“It’s the way now? I didn’t know you were “in”—her mother made air quotes, looking at her father—“with young kids these days and what they were doing?”
“Everybody knows. I don’t live under a rock. It’s all dating and no commitment because you’re independent and free.”
Her mother huffed. “She needs someone. Do you want her to be all alone forever?”
“Well, no, of course not.”
“Well, alright, then—”
“Hello?” Mel said, interrupting their bickering. “I’m still here, and I can still hear both of you.”
“Oh, sorry, dear,” her mother said. “Now, where were we?”
“I was about to tell you that I might—might—consider seeing if I could find a job in Florida. If I can, and the offer’s good, I might consider moving out there.”
Silence.
Um, did she not just say that out loud?
“Oh,” her mother rubbed her hands together, “that’s wonderful. I’m sure you’d be able to find something. But are you sure? Didn’t you just get that promotion?”
Well, this wasn’t exactly the warm response she expected. She had thought they wanted her to move South with them, but they certainly weren’t acting like it.
Mel’s hopes deflated like a balloon.
“I did, and it’s amazing. I’m thrilled about it. But, even with the promotion, when am I going to be able to afford to buy a nice place? Even outside the city, the houses aren’t exactly in my price range. It’s not impossible, but I’d need to save first, and that could take a few years.” And Mel couldn’t imagine having three nine-year-olds sharing her bedroom with her still.
“Well, whatever you decide, we’ll support you. You know that,” her father said, while her mother nodded.