en'
from downstairs. Another day,
headed downstairs. It was the weekend, which
a? Emily?" I called out
n: food scattered all over the floor, and th
er my breath. The situation was becoming routine-changing nannies every week. If the girls didn't sca
rica's voice was firm, cro
d, though I alrea
mily chimed in. "We want a
e was sharp when I responded. "I don't ever want to hea
't let their wishes dig up the
rvously, as if debating whether to stay or bolt. Erica and Emily j
ller now, "why can't we have a momm
r. I didn't have the energy for this conversat
Emily
apped, cutt
the stairs. Their small feet banged loudly on ea
d over the mess on the floor. "I'll clean th
ching the rag in her hands. "Si
u don't have to leave
. They're... determined. I've never met children like them. I'm sorr
that, another
bing my temples. Erica and Emily's voic
was turned face down, as it always was. But I d
Her name felt like a ghost on
atter how far I tried to run from the memories, she lin
to gather my thoughts. The house was too quiet now, the
eft her rag behind, so I picked it up, scrubbing the sticky stains with a kind of mechanical d
. I poured myself a cup of coffee and stood at the kitchen counter, sta
see Erica standing in the doorway, her arms crossed.
I asked, keeping
h the defiance in her voice told
n eyebrow.
pping forward. She hesitated, then a
n in my chest. I placed the coffee cup d
I know you miss... things being different. But we don't alw
ica's jaw tightened. "But i
ing despite myself. "But we have each
. I pulled them both into a hug, feeling th
omehow, I'd give them the life they deserved. Even if it meant
f you make her leave again, I promise I'll send y
pt how things are. I've ha
anged glances before
is gentle, but Erica is the worst of the two. They really hate th
ever find another nanny w