A Popsicle. Why didn’t I think of that? I feel dumb. But I’m not about to admit that Kiki is smarter than me. “And now she gets more sugar,” I say under my breath.
Kiki doesn’t have time to respond. Josephine comes in the room with a roast and potatoes on a platter. “Here we are,” she says brightly.
CHAPTER 3
KIKI EMMERSON
Isit next to Tobias and pick up my napkin so I have something to fiddle with. I messed up. I shouldn’t have given Skyler more sugar. I’m a terrible parent. I’m not a parent at all. I gave up my daughter at birth. Why am I even here?
I stare at Skyler’s little fat lip as she sucks on the Popsicle. I know nothing about Tobias besides what the internet told me. Is he abusive? Did he hurt my little girl?
“How did she cut her lip again?” I don’t mean to say it. It just pops out.
Tobias scowls at me. “She fell. She was climbing on the furniture. Kids tend to do that sort of thing.”
“My Johnny was always doing things like that,” Josephine says as she passes the dinner platter that looks like it’s been in the family for generations. My mouth waters as the smells of the roast beef envelop me. I haven’t eaten anything since that doughnut this morning.
“How many children do you have?” I ask Josephine.
“Two. Johnny’s my youngest, and Debbie is my oldest. Of course, they’re all grown up with children of their own now.” She smiles wistfully.
“Do they live close?”
“Oh, heavens, no. Debbie’s in Alabama and Johnny’s in Canada.” She picks up a wine bottle. “I rarely get to see them.”
And now I’ve completely depressed our host by asking about her kids. Way to go, Kiki. Next I should ask if cancer runs in her family and if she’s had any screenings lately.
“This is delicious,” Tobias says, lifting his fork. I silently thank him for changing the subject.
“Yes. It’s so nice to eat a home cooked meal.” I shove a large bite of beef in my mouth.
“Oh? Do you not cook, Miss Kiki?” Josephine raises one eyebrow at me as she pours wine into my glass.
I sink down into my seat. I might as well just tell them I’m practically homeless. “I do,” I say quietly, trying to come up with an excuse as to why I haven’t made a home cooked meal in forever.
“I bet you’ve just been so busy looking for work and everything. Ellie told me you’re job hunting. What is it you do again?”
What should I say? I have no degrees. I dropped out of high school. After I went to prison, I tried to straighten my life out. I got my GED. I worked after hours cleaning public bathrooms at the mall. That was the only job I could get with my record. I stare at my fingers trying to think of something smart to say. And then it dawns on me. This is the time when I should be pitching my abilities to take care of children. Tobias needs a nanny. I’m the child’s mother, after all. I should be showing him how capable I am.
I lift my head and plaster on a smile. “I actually work in childcare. I have an extensive resume. I most recently worked at a famous daycare center in Atlanta.” The lies tumble out like coins from a winning slot machine.
Tobias raises an eyebrow. “There’s a famous daycare center?”
I nod, going with it. I’m in too deep now to stop. “It’s the Montessori daycare on Peachtree. It’s always got a waiting list because it’s so popular. I taught there for three years.” The first rule of lying, give details. Even if he checks the internet later, he’ll think he got the details wrong.
“How fortunate!” Josephine leans forward. “Tobias is looking for a live-in nanny.”
He shakes his head, his eyes wide. “I filled the position.”
Josephine sucks in a breath. “You did? Who did you hire?”
Tobias squirms in his seat and I hide a smile. Caught in his lie. He forgot the first rule. I win the lying game.
“I uh…” His gaze flicks to Skyler as if she could save him.
She licks the empty popsicle stick and says, “Can I have more?”
Josephine scoops some potato and roast beef onto Skyler’s plate. “Here, have some of this. It’s yummy.”
