Page 6 of Unravelling The Beast

He hesitates at first, but soon lets go of Sara and wanders over to one of his toy boxes. He lifts the lid and reaches inside, then holds it up with a smile and walks towards me.

I smile back as I speak with enthusiasm.

"Would you look at that? It's amazing. Have you ever traveled on a real train?"

He gives a tiny nod.

"I did go a long time ago and asked Daddy to take me again, but he is always busy."

I keep a straight face as my heartstrings are almost torn out of my chest, knowing this is common with business-like parents.

I maintain my cool and respond softly.

"Perhaps we can go together one day! I'd love it if you would show me. I've never been on a train before."

His small mouth opens in surprise.

"Never!?"

I giggle at his surprised look.

"I know, how boring am I, huh?"

His face brightens up before he speaks excitedly over my shoulder to Sara.

"Did you hear Aunt Sara? Wren is taking me on the train!"

We both giggle as he starts jumping up and down with joy, his small hands flapping, before he suddenly stops and looks at me.

"When can we go?"

Sara and I stand upright, and then we face each other.

"I mean, if you want it, the job is yours. He appears to like you, and I'm confident he will continue to do so."

I gaze down at the cute little boy beside me with huge brown eyes for a brief moment, lost in thought. I mean, he's a sweet little boy, and he probably needs strong females around him, which I know I can offer, but there's something off about the atmosphere in this house and the dad I haven't even met yet.

I've always been welcomed and at ease when I enter the houses where I work, but something calls on me to take this position and be there for Cree nonetheless.

After a brief ponder, I smile down at him and talk excitedly.

“Okay, let’s do it this weekend!”

He bounces up and down again as Sara claps her hands in delight.

"Excellent!"

I spend the next couple of hours with Cree until the early evening, learning a lot more about him before it's time to head home. We've really bonded and spoke about a wide range of things while Sara sat back and observed. He's like an open book, and he's really not shy at all.

Sara and I rise from the fluffy red carpet, and then she speaks.

"All right, Cree, it's time for Wren to go home, but she will be back Friday, okay?"

He pouts with huge, innocent eyes before responding in a sad voice.

"Do you have to? Please don’t leave!"

As I gaze down at him, my eyes soften. When the kids instantly connect with me and vice versa, it makes my job worthwhile.

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