“This is not your fault.” Shaking my head, I drop my files and supplies into an empty box. “You barely avoided expulsion as it is, and their minds are made up. Talking in circles to try to get them to understand won’t do either of us any good.”
Especially since they think I’m a predator.
Though I don’t tell him that.
He squeezes my shoulder and tears threaten. “If it weren’t for you, I would’ve given up hope weeks ago. I’m sorry this happened, Miss Finley, but I really can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.”
And that’s what’s fucked up about this whole mess… Kyle is a good kid. He deserves to take charge of his life, and I’m proud of him for doing it sooner than I did.
I spent too many years letting my parents define who I was. And losing the job that helped me finally find myself outside of them is devastating, yes. But if I had to do it all over, I’d help Kyle again in a heartbeat. I’d help any of my students the same way because compassion is what makes us human. It’s whatheals, and for me, that’s the whole point.
I pat his hand before hefting the box off my desk. “Just promise me you’ll graduate.”
I’m given a genuine smile. “I promise.”
Outside, the bright Chicago sky and chirping birds do little to brighten my spirit. I chuck my things into the back seat of my 2008 Honda Accord, then open the glove box in search of my sad girl classics mixed CD.
I trace the hot pink Sharpie flowers on the front, smiling at the relic I burned years ago—thanks to a sketchy music downloading site, of course—and then crank Kelly Clarkson’s, ‘Because of You.’
I peel out of the parking lot, belting the lyrics at the top of my lungs. The tears come easily, and they don’t stop pouring for the two days that follow.
It’s only once I get a text from that traitor, Shelly, that I dare to hope I won’t end up evicted by the end of the month.
I pause my hours-long binge ofHell’s Kitchento read her text.
There’s a second grader in Mrs. Sullivan’s class who was pulled from the roll recently. His mom was severely injured in a car accident, and rumor has it, his guardian is the one who put this ad out for a nanny.
“Nanny?” I mutter.
Unless my neighbor’s cats count, I haven’t had a babysitting job since I was a teen.
You didn’t deserve what happened. I’m sorry. Hope this helps.
I almost delete her messages, thinking this may be a cruel joke. But I’m drunk on Oreo cookies and milk, brain-numb from hours of bad reality TV, and considering I’m in no position to be picky, maybe I’m a little curious, too.
I click on the link she sent and read through the job description.
It’s straight to the point, offering a three-month nanny contract specifically for applicants who have a teaching background.
This position requires an adaptable caregiver to assist with temporary guardianship duties in a private household. The candidate must be comfortable with non-traditional routines and limited disclosure. Discretion is non-negotiable. An NDA will be provided during the interview.
Okay, this person is either super rich or works for the CIA.
Maybe both?
The only name listed on the application is J. Knight, which has a secret agent feel to it, to be honest. But as I keep reading, I damn near choke when I see that the position pays double my yearly salary.
“There’s no way this is legit,” I whisper.
Everything about this application is cryptic, down to there being no address or phone number provided to contact the person who listed it.
But I’m jobless with rent and bills to pay, and as hard as it is to admit, I’m desperate. Besides, given the delicate situation with the kid’s mom, this person may be trying to keep things private for the family’s sake.
It couldn’t hurt to at least interview for the job, even if it doesn’t work out, right?
I grab my laptop off the table, give my resume a quick update, and after several meticulous read-throughs, I upload the file.
All that’s left to do is hit submit, but the cursor hovers over the button before I pull the trigger. I’m not sure what’s stopping me, considering the rumors surrounding me and Kyle have all but tarnished my teaching career, and I’ve lost the only friends I had in the midst of this whole scandal.
