Temporary Nanny

Chapter 31

"Stella, where's your coat baby we need to go." I call to the newly two year old as she sits in a pile of cats. We were meant to meet Michael for lunch in 5 minutes but have yet to round up our things.

"Kitty!" Stella shouts pointedly, picking up one of the kittens. "Yes Stel, I know. You want to stay with the kitties but daddy wants to spend the day with you." I reply, searching for the keys.

She ignores me, petting the cat with heavy hands. "Stel-" There's a knock at the door that has you groaning.

"No time for hanging out, I'm late." I huff at my best friend standing at the front door. "Late for what?" Mia steps in, shutting the door behind her. "Lunch with Michael." I call back, walking toward the living room.

"Did you tell him yet?" She asks, following close behind. "No not yet." I mumble, sticking my hands in the couch cushions. "How has he not caught on? You're a mess." She gestures at me for reference. "Yeah, well, he hasn't. Can you please get Stella's coat and shoes on?"

"Sure, what are you looking for?" She stands behind the couch, looking around the room. "I don't remember, just, will you please get her ready for me." I all but whine.

It's been a lot of this lately. The forgetting of things even while I'm in the process of doing them. But it's fine, I always get there in the end. It's not my fault. I blame Michael really. Mia's right, I've been an absolute mess lately, I don't know how he hasn't caught on by now.

"My keys!" I shout triumphantly. "You found them?" Mia looks up as she gets Stella's shoes on. "No." I frown. "But that's what I'm looking for!" Mia shakes her head with a chuckle and I begin my search for the keys all over again.

"Ah ha! I knew they were over here!" I hold the keys up proudly. "Are you sure you should be driving while you're in this state?" She muses, getting back to her feet. "I am perfectly fine. I'm going to have this lunch with my boyfriend and not worry about anything while I'm doing so."

"I think it's really mature of you to have lunch with him and his mistress," Mia teases wholeheartedly. "You're not funny!" I pout. "I'm kidding Char. Nothing has changed - he's still not cheating on you. You have nothing to worry about. Go have lunch with the fam," she assures, lifting Stella up on her hip.

"You're gonna kill me..." I trail off looking at my friend as I get out the front door. "What?" She sighs. "I forgot the keys." I admit sheepishly. "For eff's sake Charlie. I'm driving you," she decides.

It's probably for the best.

-

"Oh, sorry." I mutter to the woman I accidentally bump into on my way to the front entrance. She's blonde and merely spares me a glance but she looks familiar. I can't quite put my finger on it but I think maybe she might have been one of the receptionist at one point.

"Now you're going around bumping into people? Get it together lady," Mia says lightheartedly, handing over Stella. "I double checked all her things in her diaper bag, you're good. Text me when you're done eating and I'll come get you."

"Yes darling." I sing-song with a giggle. She rolls her eyes and plants a kiss on Stella's cheek.

The labels not very crowded or busy today, no one sitting in the waiting area and no front desk phone ringing off the hook. It seems to be pretty dead for the afternoon which is sort of unusual but then again, it isn't like I'm here everyday to see what it's like.