“Just thought I’d check,” she says warmly.
As intimidating as this is, I like Cecelia. She’s kind and attentive. She must be a great Grandmother to Bria and… I don’t even know the boy’s name.
“How old is the other child?” I ask. “Nick only mentioned Bria,” I explain as her expression falters. She looks at me quizzically. “The portrait,” I further clarify, pointing to the foyer behind us.
“Ah,” she says slowly. “You caught me off guard. He was one when he passed away.”
“Oh…” I say, biting my lip. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know…”
She holds a hand up, and she looks as though she’s about to say something. I watch as she almost starts talking and then stops. I feel awful. Why did I ask that?
“Don’t apologize,” she says quietly. “It happened a year ago. Matthias, my grandson, and Isabel, my daughter, were killed in a car wreck.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper, covering my mouth with my hand. “That’s so awful,” I say, chewing on my bottom lip once more. Now I feel like a jerk for bringing it up.
“Yes, it was awful.” She ruminates on her words for a second, slumping sadly against her chair. “But,” she says, straightening up, “though we’ll never forget them, life goes on. It’s all we can do… for Bria. She’s so happy and upbeat. It’s hard not to love life around her.”
“I can’t wait to meet her,” I say, wanting to change the subject.
I had no idea this was the kind of situation I’d be walking into. I am suddenly having misgivings about everything. Was I ready to work for a recent widower and his motherless daughter?
“I think Bria will like you,” Cecelia says gently, eyeing me. “You’ll fit in here.”
“I hope so,” I reply, smiling genuinely. I feel really comfortable here, despite knowing the situation and despite it being Bellevue.
“You have nothing to worry about. I like you. You have a good energy, something I think Nick and Bria need, so I’ll put in a good word. Do you have any questions for me?”
“Umm,” I say, not sure if I do have any questions. “What are the hours like?”
Cecelia chuckles. “Oh, right, hours and pay, of course. It’ll be forty hours a week—standard work hours—though since you’re live-in, Nick may need you more often if he’s away. You’ll be paid overtime for that, obviously. The pay is good, twenty dollars an hour with paid sick time and two weeks of vacation time per calendar year. All of this is negotiable. Nick really just wants someone who connects with Bria, and he’s willing to negotiate all of this. Past experience, pay, hours… it’s all negotiable. Are you okay with traveling? It’s possible Nick may ask you to travel with him and Bria, should the occasion arise.”
“Of course,” I say, nodding my head. “That sounds good to me.” Traveling? I smile.
She beams and gets up, holding her hand out.
“It was lovely meeting you, Evianna. We’ll call you if Nick thinks it’s a good fit, but like I said, I’ll put in a good word.”
“Thank you, Cecelia,” I say as she starts to show me out. “It was lovely meeting you as well.”
She hugs me just as I’m about to leave, and I’m unsure of what to do, so I just stand there like an asshole. After a second or two, I bring my arms around her limply. I don’t do well with unexpected human contact.
I’m facing the portrait. Even as Cecelia pulls away and waves me good-bye through the front door, Matthias smiles back at me. His eyes follow me the rest of the night.
Four.
From: “Nicholas Wilder” <[email protected]> To: “Evi Halle” <[email protected]> Date: September 6, 2014 10:01 p.m. PST
Subject: When can you start?
Evianna,