Mary Poppins Daughter [DISCONTINUED]

The Job

(Ann Marie above)

One morning, while eating a plate of strawberry pancakes, I was looking through the job ads in the newspaper. But no one seemed to be hiring, all of the jobs listed had little pay and asked for a boy's touch.

"Hey Dad? Are you sure you don't know anyone with a job available?" He stuck his head out from the kitchen. "I would have told about it if there was. Unless of course you take that chimney sweep slot..." I rolled my eyes and looked back at the paper.

"Your mother's coming to visit tomorrow. Says she has something special to give you." I froze mid bite, my whole body going as stiff as a board. My mom isn't around much, she travels anywhere and everywhere, visiting my dad and I on my birthday (which was two weeks ago) and Christmas (which is months away). So if she wasn't coming for either, then why is she coming in the first place? Something to give me, I wonder what it is. But my thoughts were interrupted by my dad, who walked into the room and slapped on the back.

"Well, I better go start working. Today I'll be a chalkster, then once the sun sets I'll be a chimney sweep." I smiled as he kissed the top of my head. "If you're going to see the Banks, tell them I said hello." Tilting my head back, I looked at him. "Will do dad, don't stay out too late." He smiled sadly. "You sound just like your mother." My smile faltered, before slowly reappearing. He tipped his cap to me and strode out the front door.

Once he left, I looked at the paper for over looked jobs. And that's when I saw it, an ad for a nanny.

Required: a kind but firm woman to take care of a plucky ten year old. Must be flexible and able to work at unexpected times. Pay: $10 per hour

10 bucks? They must be filthy rich to pay that much. I've always liked children, dad says that's the #1 trait mom and I have in common, but a nanny? I don't think I''m ready for that.

But feeling confident, I cut the ad out and slipped it in my pocket. I'll look into it later. For now, I've got friends to visit.