Velvet Walls

Chap.2, Damsel in distress.

        It's 1am, and I can't fall asleep. I don't know if it's because of the nap I took earlier, the job offer, or both. Either way it's annoying as hell. I don't know anything about this "Mr. Dervishi" besides the fact he's apparently rolling in it. I know "Dervishi" is Albanian. That's about it though. I remember the name, but I can't picture him. There are a lot of things I chose not to remember from my life in California. He could be one of those. I wonder if he has any kids my age. Come to think of it, I don't even know how many kids I'm being asked to take care of. 11–15-year-olds aren't that bad, that's how old Eve is, but I couldn't deal with an army of them. I don't have much experience with childcare. And I don't know if raising Eve while my parents were too busy fighting would count as work experience. My mom's told me I have a "strong parental instinct", but that's all I have going for me. He must really be desperate if I'm his first choice for the job. I guess I am a family friend though, so that's one reason. I literally can't think of anything else that would qualify me. I'm majoring in fine arts, not childcare. Maybe he's really paranoid about strangers or something. I don't know, I'm no psychologist.

        I had a weird dream that night. I was holding a baby. Suddenly everyone I knew surrounded me and kept congratulating me. I woke up smiling. I snap out of it quickly though. I've heard about women my age getting baby fever, I wish there was a vaccine for it. I do NOT want kids. Maybe when I'm like 30 or something, but it's not anything I need to think about right now. Besides, romance has always been such a foreign concept to me.

        The fairytale idea of a "damsel in distress" and her "prince charming" has always seemed weird to me. Probably because the only romance I've ever been around is my parent's toxic one. I've been a damsel distress my whole life, and I've never needed a prince charming (or another damsel) to help me through it. If I did date someone, I know I wouldn't care if they were a boy or girl. Or either. None of that stuff has ever really mattered to me. I have had boyfriends and girlfriends before, but I've never considered any of them really serious. I've always kinda had commitment issues.

          I know Eve likes girls and only girls. A very specific type of girl at that. I sort of wish I was like her, knowing exactly what she wants all of the time. Not even when it comes to romance! Then it might be easier to make this decision. I doubt it though, not even Eve's opinionated Slavic personality could make this decision easier. I remember all the questions I had last night. I'm so relieved that I can finally ask my mom. I begin interrogating her at breakfast.

        "How many kids would I have to take care of if I took this job anyways? Does this guy live alone? Where in northern California is this house? How-"

        "Okay, okay. I see you've been thinking about the job already, hmm?"

         No duh mom.

        "Haha, yeah."

        "Alright. I guess if you're going to take this job, you'll need to know the details."

        Again, no duh.

        "Mr. Dervishi's full name is Aleksander Dervishi; he bought the house with his wife. I know he has at least one son that's a few years older than you. I think there's 4 kids you'd be expected to take care of. The house, or mansion I should say, is somewhere in Trinity California in the Klamath mountains. They would send someone to come get you from the airport. They don't like flying, I don't know, it's weird."

        I nod. I guess my suspicions about him being paranoid were true.

        "Thanks, I'm still thinking about it but that does help."

        "Of course! Just remember to tell me by Friday."

        "I will."

        I'm still not sure what my dad thinks about me leaving. I know my mom told him, but he hasn't told me his opinion yet. My mom says she's all for it, but I can tell that she only did this because she wanted me to have an excuse to move out. She doesn't want me to go, but she also doesn't want me to feel guilty if I do decide to leave. And she would feel guilty if she was the reason I stayed and gave up on my dream of moving out. Quite frankly, it's a lose-lose situation, because I'll feel guilty either way.