Page 109 of A Whole New Play

Abby’s project, on the other hand, was almost entirely completed by the six-year-old herself. That one is bound for a career in science or technology. I’m calling it.

“Well, hello there.” A woman’s voice breaks through my focus as I listen to Abby tell me about the electron current in the wires sticking out of the potato.

Thinking it’s one of the twins’ teachers, I straighten with a smile, but it falters the moment I take in the curvy blonde woman with ruby-red lips grinning down at Andy who is looking at the model train set up at the table across from Abby’s.

The little boy looks up and tilts his head, confused. “Um… hi?”

The young woman’s grin widens.

My stomach tightens. I can’t explain it, but this woman makes me uneasy. It’s not because she’s incredibly beautiful or the fact she’s wildly overdressed for an elementary school science fair. It’s the way she is so intensely focused on the boy in front of her. And the way she glances at Abby like she knew exactly where she stood long before we were aware of her presence.

My unease intensifies one hundredfold with her next words, “You are adorable! You look so much like your dad.”

Oh, hell no.

I might be overreacting, but I don’t let that stop me from placing a hand on Abby’s shoulder and guiding her over to where the stranger speaks to Andy.

The little boy is uncomfortable. He steps away from the woman, and his body language visibly relaxes when Abby and I appear at his side.

“Hi,” I interrupt the woman as she rambles about how much she enjoys watching Carter and the Rough Riders play to his son.

“Oh.” Her lips purse with displeasure as her eyes trail over me from head to toe. “Hello.”

“Can I help you with something?” I hold out my arm to Andy, and I’m relieved when he moves to my side so I can put a reassuring hand on his shoulder as well.

“No,” the woman clips. Her eyes harden as she takes me in.

I know her…

I just don’t know how.

“Do you work here?” I try to not sound rude, but my internal alarms are blaring, making it next to impossible to keep the accusation from my tone.

“No,” she says once more before looking down at the twins and smiling. “I just came to see the science fair.”

All right…

“Are you a teacher?”

She frowns. “No.”

I’m not one for conflict. Years of doing my mother’s bidding to avoid her passive-aggressive disappointment prove that.

But I’m not going to overlook the red flags this woman is waving in front of my face when she once again turns her attention to the little boy and girl at my side, dismissing me. “Are you both excited to present your projects?”

“Look,” I interrupt before either Abby or Andy can reply. “I’m sorry, but these children don’t know you. Could you please not speak to them as if you do? They’re uncomfortable.” I’m not lying. Both Abby and Andy press into my sides. Whatever vibe they're picking up from this woman makes them uneasy, too.

“Wow. Rude.” She scoffs and shakes her head with attitude. “Who are you to tell me what to do?”

“She’s our nanny,” Andy says in my defense.

I squeeze his shoulder reassuringly. “It doesn’t matter who I am,” I reply. “But you aren’t a parent. You are not a teacher. Honestly, the fact you’re here right now seems inappropriate.”

“Are you accusing me of something?” Her high-pitched voice catches the attention of a group of adults and kids just steps away.

Good.

Something tells me I might want witnesses to this unusual interaction.

---