Page 21 of The Last Thing
“Oh, Daddy! Guess what?”
“What?”
“Miss Lara is going to teach dance classes again! Can I sign up?”
I glance at Lara, who nods.
“No pressure. Nick’s wife has gotten back into dance recently, so we’re going to do some small classes together. It won’t cost much and it’ll only be a couple of afternoons per week.”
“We’ll talk about it. Thanks.”
Sophia gives me her grumpy look, but waves goodbye to Lara and lets me help her into her booster seat in the car.
Once I’m in the driver’s seat, she hits me with the question I was expecting. “Why do we have to talk about it? I really want to learn to dance!”
“I get it, kid. I want that for you too. But when do I ever make a decision without thinking through everything?”
She huffs. “Never.”
And even though my brain shouldn’t go there, it takes me right back to the carnival. The night with my little hellion. Making her come on that Ferris wheel. It was the first time in a long time I didn’t think every little detail through. I felt more alive than I had in years.
But it was a moment in time. A fleeting memory. Pulling into the small parking area across the street from our building, I push all those thoughts away. That was a night outside of my reality, and I have to get back to living in the real world.
I grab my backpack and Sophia’s from the trunk, then help Sophia out of my CRV. Not the most glamorous car, but it’s better than a minivan.
After looking both ways, we cross the street and head inside the building to our apartment.
We’ve just gotten to the landing when the door at the top floor swings open.
“Hi, Wilson. Hi, Sophia,” Frannie Baker calls. She’s our landlady, though that word is far too frumpy for her. She’s in her mid-twenties with a warm smile and upbeat energy. Her boyfriend, Mark Abbott—the starting QB for the NY Bandits—bought the building back in late April and AB Construction did a bunch of renovations for them. When I found out the apartment was up for grabs, I jumped on it. Mark’s away right now since the season’s on, but Frannie works as a social worker here in Ida.
“Hi,” Sophia chirps, waving happily.
“I just got home and was hoping I’d catch you quickly. Are you still looking for someone to nanny for you?”
I wouldn’t use that word exactly, but… “Yes. Know of anyone?”
She comes down the stairs to me, smiling the whole way like she’s solved all my problems. “Yes. I finally convinced my sister to move up here, and she’s worked as a nanny for years. She’s looking for a fresh start because the last people she nannied for had a messy divorce that she was dragged through. She’s amazing, though. I’ve never met a kid she nannied for who didn’t adore her.” She pauses thoughtfully. “And she has a big heart. She’ll be here Sunday, if you’d like to meet her.”
I glance up at the ceiling. I’m not much of a believer in God, but fate… are you really dropping the solution to all my problems at my door?
“Sunday might be busy, but we’ll try to stop by. If not… she could come down early Monday morning?”
Frannie nods. “I’ll let her know. She’ll be in the apartment right across from you, so it’ll make things easy.”
I let out a sigh. That would make things so much simpler.
“Thank you, Frannie. Really.”
She waves a hand. “It’s nothing. I’m just helping two people who need problems solved to find each other.”
I chuckle at that. “Well, again, I appreciate it. Have a good night.”
“Thanks, you too.”
“Go Bandits!” Sophia yells.
“Go Bandits,” Frannie calls back as she makes her way up the stairs.
