Page 16 of Nanny Crush
While the kids eat and talk to one another, I get to work on cleaning up the kitchen. I unload the dishwasher and reload it with all the dirty dishes in the sink. I wipe the sink clean, then move onto wiping down the counters. If I have to cook dinner tonight, I can’t do it in a dirty kitchen. The thought alone makes me shiver. I open the fridge and clean it out, throwing out anything that’s past its date, mostly empty, or just looks like it’s been there too long. I wipe the shelves out and organize it to my liking. Then I clean all the old homework, mail, and empty food wrappers off the table. Lastly, I sweep the floor.
When the kids are done eating, I let them go back into the living room to play, and I mop the floor. By the time I’m done, the kitchen is almost sparkling. I head into the living room and start picking up in there. I put the cushions back onto the couch, dust the tables and shelves, and start picking up the toys that aren’t being played with. I check my watch and see the I still have a few hours until dinner.
“You guys want to go outside and play?”
“Yeah!” they both cheer.
“Okay, let’s pick up these toys and then you can get your shoes on while I vacuum in here. Then we’ll go outside.”
The kids quickly pick up the toys with hopes of something better, then run upstairs to find their shoes. While they’re up there, I drag the vacuum out of the closet and clean the cream-colored carpet. I turn off the TV and look around the room, deciding that everything looks clean enough.
The kids are back moments later, and they lead me to the kitchen and out the glass double doors to the back yard. They have a swing set, a playhouse, bikes, and all kinds of other outdoor toys. Maddy goes to the sandbox and Xander heads for the swing.
“Push me!” he yells.
I walk over and start pushing him on the swing.
“Higher! Higher!”
I push harder, only slacking off once I feel he’s high enough.
Maddy runs over to me with a plastic teacup full of sand.
“Tea. Dink,” she tells me.
I take the teacup and pretend to drink it. “Mmm, that was so good.”
She smiles wide, takes the teacup, and runs back to the sandbox. We do this at least six more times.
After what feels like forever, my arms feel dead and tired. I walk away from the swing set and go take a seat at the patio table.
“Sasha, push!” Xander says, still swinging.
“I need a break, buddy,” I call back, wondering if I’ll even be able to lift my arms later.
We go inside a few times for drinks and snacks, but we always end up back out, which is fine with me. The less time they’re in the house, the cleaner it will stay. Not to mention, it’s a great day, sunny and warm. I don’t mind spending my day outside when it’s as beautiful as it is today. We sit at the patio table and eat our snacks, apples, grapes, cheese, and crackers. They tell me about school, what they like to do after school, what they like to eat. I ask them about dinner, and they offer up several suggestions. Overall, we just talk and get to know one another a little better.
After they eat, they run off and go back to playing in the fenced-in back yard. The pool is covered so I don’t have much to worry about. I just sit back and relax, watch them play, and have a conversation with Kinsley over text. I keep expecting them to wear out at any moment, but they’re still going strong.
They take turns pushing one another on the swings, they play hide and seek, and tag that ends up with Xander crying because Maddy tagged him too hard. I manage to make Xander happy again, and within minutes he’s running off and chasing after Maddy to tag her. Eventually, I get called into the mix, and I have to get up and play tag with them. I let them tag me and make me It and then I pretend that they’re just too fast for me. I reach for them and they dodge away. Every time they giggle until they nearly fall over.
With as little experience as I have with kids, I’m actually having fun. Watching them have a blast makes me happy, and I feel a sense of pride watching them. I guess I’m better than I thought I’d be. They run and hide behind the playhouse, and I’m sneaky and reach through to tag Xander. He’s surprised and impressed with my tactic, so he and Maddy team up against me. They trap me between them and get me from both sides. Then they take off running with me chasing after them.
Chapter Eight
LIAM
Being able to escape to my office feels good. I’m so tired. Today has been a hell of a day. I close the door behind me and flop down onto the leather couch, just needing a moment to rest before I get to work. I rest my arm over my eyes to block the light as I breathe deep and try to force the stress to leave my body. My heart slows, my breathing regulates, and I’m drifting off to sleep before I even realize it.
I open my eyes, still feeling tired, but at least I’m a little more rested. I sit up and look at the clock. I’ve been asleep for hours. The house is quiet, too quiet. I stand up and open the door, listening harder. Still nothing. I walk out and look down into the living room. It’s clean and empty. I check the kids’ rooms and find them empty as well.
Panic floods my body. She kidnapped the kids. She took them and ran off. I knew I shouldn’t have hired a nanny. I rush down the stairs and run into the kitchen. The room is clean, but also empty. I decide to check the laundry room, and I catch a glimpse of all three of them out the back door. They’re playing tag in the yard. I breathe a sigh of relief.
Sasha turns around and sees me standing at the door. She smiles and waves. I wave back and watch a moment longer as they play. I turn and open the fridge to grab a drink and find that it’s also been cleaned out and wiped down. Impressed, I grab a drink and head back to my office, this time to actually work.
Passing back through the living room, I wonder how she’s managed to do so much in just a couple of hours. She’s had the kids the whole time, and she still managed to clean the kitchen and the living room? How? Where does the energy come from?
I push all thoughts aside as I sit in front of my computer and get to work. I lose myself the way I usually do and don’t look up from the computer screen until it’s dark outside. I push away from my desk and step out into the hallway, finding both doors to the kids’ rooms closed. I check my watch and see that it’s already nine.
