The Perfect Nanny

Chapter 4

August 11th

I come home early today and decide to go check on Paula, who's living right opposite our house. I leave Jack with Nancy and start heading out. It's still surprising to me to leave him with someone else and go out. I'm so grateful to have her as a nanny, I think to myself.
Paula is lying on the couch, eating a tub of ice cream. "Oh No! This is not a pretty look on me. I know," she utters.
"You look lovely as always, honey." I add. "So, how are you handling it all? You'll ask me for help if you need anything, won't you?"
"Yes, Yes. Of course. Who else will I go to?" she answers. "Btw, how's your new nanny?"
"What can I say? She's the best. I don't even do anything at home besides kiss your nephew these days." I say this with excitement.
"In that case, I might steal her after my delivery." She says that, and we both burst out laughing.
I take a look around the house and say, "You know, I still can't believe our two houses have an exact blueprint. If I close my eyes and suddenly open them, I might think I'm in my own living room. It's crazy, isn't it?"
"Oh Yeah! Kevin was telling me that these were built by two brothers, and their families were living here in the late 1960s. These were meant to be our homes." She winks at me.
I chat with Paula for a while, and I get back home to Jack, who's fast asleep. I thank Nancy and bid her goodnight.
She's been staying in the outhouse for two weeks, on and off. I wonder how she manages to smile and spread joy every day while having a lot on her mind.
Carl gets back from the office exhausted. He quickly showers, gives Jack a small kiss on the forehead, and gets into bed. "Hey Jen! Our meeting with the client is in two days. Kevin and I will have to go out of town for a day. Are you and Jack going to be okay staying the night alone?" he asks with concern in his voice.
"Don't worry about us. We will be okay. Nancy is here with us. Even if she's not, we will go to Paula's for the night. No worries, honey." I assure him.