Page 16 of One Sweet Lie

“It would have to beThe Giving Treeby Shel Silverstein.” I could still quote that book by memory, and I hated every word. “Hands down.”

“Why?”

“There’s no plot.”

“I beg to differ.”

“The tree just gives and gives to the little boy until he’s nothing more than a stump,” I said. “He spends his entire life serving someone who grows up constantly taking from him, and in the end he dies alone.”

“I think you need to reread that story…” His lips curved into a smile, but he didn't let it stay. “What’s your favorite children’s book?”

“I have too many to count, but I likeThe Little Blue Engine That Could.”

“Do you speak any foreign languages?”

“French.”

“Is that it?”

“I’m decent with Spanish and Italian, but not good enough to be considered fluent.”

“Are you in a serious relationship?”

“I don’t see why that’s any of your business, sir.”

“You’re here because you want to be a full-time nanny, and I expect you to work seven days a week,” he said. “If you’re in a serious relationship, you might put your boyfriend before me.”

“You mean, beforeyour children?”

“Isn’t that what I said?”

Silence.

“Where do you currently live?” he asked.

“In an apartment.”

“Inwhat part of town, Miss Hawthorne?”

“Brooklyn.”

“Hmmm. You can leave my house now.”

“That’s it? That’s the end of the entire interview?”

“Yes. Unless you would like a complimentary gift bag.”

“If you have one, then yeah, that would be—” I stopped, realizing he was being sarcastic. “Thank you for your time, Mister…?”

He still didn’t give me his name.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “By the way, one ofmyfavorite children’s books isThe Giving Tree.”

Of course, it is.

“Have a good afternoon. The agency will call if I'm interested in you.”

“Interested in me for this job, or for something else?” I asked.

---