Through Chrissie's eyes

Adaptation

Against all Roger's expectations, but meeting our expectations, Rory Eleanor Taylor was born on a rehearsal afternoon of Queen, interrupted just by her arrival. Roger stopped everything to meet his wife, we followed soon after. As he and Dominique headed for the hospital, Felix was under my care.

After a while, we were allowed to go meet Rory, the first girl in the group, so expected by all.

"So ... I'm the father of a girl" despite the disappointment of being wrong, it didn't take out Roger's joy of knowing his little girl "you wanted it so much and here we are."

"And you're right to worry, she's beautiful and sure enough will drag some boys' atention" Freddie commented on little Taylor "and I'm not saying that just to be a jerk, that's because it's true."

"After that. I don't know if I appreciate the compliment or I'm even more afraid "Roger returned.

"Roger, stop suffering for anticipation." Dominique scolded him. "She's still going to be your little girl before she grows up, and I really hope she doesn't go around breaking hearts, if it's up to me, she won't be like that."

"Now you're anticipating things, Dom" Roger answered his wife.

"You started that nonsense" she shrugged, and smiled at the little baby. "Get used to it Rory, get used to it ..."

Roger's paranoia was laughable, but I understood it, it was something every parent felt. I also kept thinking about Jimmy's future at times, what he would be like when he grew up, what his favorite subjects would be at school, whether he would learn guitar like his father or whether he would be interested in another instrument, or none at all. I doubted that much, our children were born and grew up surrounded by music and it was clear how much they liked it. And I believed Rory would be no exception.

At the thought of it all, I began to cry, in front of everyone. I ended up reprimanding myself for it.

"Is everything all right Chrissie?" Veronica, who was nearest to me, asked.

"Yes, it's just ..." I sighed and smiled. "Our families are growing, our big family is growing and ... it makes me excited."

"Not only you, everyone, I assure you." Mrs. Deacon was supportive of me.

It was very common for me to cry for nothing, but the last time it happened ... Well, that couldn't happen again so soon. Or could it? I tried not to worry too much about it, it was a little impossible for me to completely ignore a subject as serious as this, but I had no confirmation of anything, so maybe I was worrying for no reason. Anyway, other things made me forget this one a little.

Something very embarrassing arose for me to deal with, and it all started when Freddie moved into the mansion he himself called Garden Lodge. It was a very large place for someone to live alone, not completely alone, his cats always kept company with him, but the size of the place also served for something else. Parties and more parties, right in the style I hated. I'd go to them to not let Brian go alone, because just like me, I knew how upset my husband was with this sort of thing, but it would be worse not to go and get Freddie undone. Freddie, now, didn't know if I cared or got mad at him.

It wasn't that I didn't like him anymore, it was just his behavior that worried me. We all knew that he had surrounded himself with selfish people, mainly because of Paul, but he seemed to enjoy their company, even giving priority to these commonplace unknown party-goers, than to us, his family, on certain occasions. It was his way, what he liked to do, how he loved to live, and he was an adult, what could I do? I tried to renew my patience with Freddie. At least to my consolation, Mary had moved down the same street as him, maybe she could keep an eye on him, so he wouldn't exaggerate so much in this way of life. But I knew it was an impossible mission, even for Mary.

It was because of the parties that another question arose. I had to reluctantly hire a nanny.

"I didn't want to, Brian," I said at once when he gave the idea "I never left Jimmy alone, except that time we went to watch Star Wars, he's just used to us, I can't leave him with a stranger."

"Look, I had a student who worked as a nanny, she was very responsible, she was never late, she had excellent grades, she was quiet like us, but very intelligent and careful, if she's still a nanny, can you consider hiring her?" Brian used his best conciliatory voice.

"I'm going to have to meet her first" I said, still apprehensive.

So on those terms, I went back to the old school where Brian used to teach. I wasn't sure if I would still meet the student, Gracey Moore, there. Brian had been out of the school for years ago now. However, when I asked about her at the office, if she was still working as a nanny, the secretary confirmed the information and still told me that she had already graduated. Seeing that I just wanted to hire nanny services, the secretary gave me her contact.

"Grace Moore?" I called her, and I saw how young she was only by her voice "I'm Chrissie May, I know you work as a nanny, I'd like to hire you."

"Okay," she said, "what day do you need me?"

"Well, it doesn't have specific days, it's kind of ..." I was embarrassed to explain my situation, "my job is complicated, and unforeseeable situations can arise, so when I need it, can I call you?"

"Yes, of course, Mrs. May" Gracey agreed with me and so we had a contract.

It was right when Freddie gave a party out of nothing that I required Gracey to come and take care of Jimmy. She seemed to me to be all Brian had said about her, and even faster than I expected, I began to trust her.

"Professor May?" said the girl at Brian "is that you?" Well, it can only be you, I'm sorry for saying this, but you're kind of hard to forget."

"Good thing you remember me, Gracey" he reached out a hand to her "it's been a long time."

"You didn't recognize Brian for another reason, did you?" I had to ask, it wasn't possible that she didn't know Queen.

"He was my teacher, Mrs. May" she answered "just for that."

"Don't you know the band Queen?" I insisted.

"I've heard of it" I saw Gracey wondering my questions "the Freddie Mercury band, but I don't usually listen to them that much. I just know they play that "We are the Champions"."

I smiled at what was happening, she wasn't a Queen fan, and the good thing about it was that she would treat us like normal people. Brian couldn't have chosen anyone better than her.

"Gracey, it will be a pleasure to work with you" I said with satisfaction.

I introduced Jimmy to her quickly, and I was glad the two of them got along. Even so my heart was tight for leaving my little boy home. Meanwhile, I prepared myself for the madness that I knew was coming in Garden Lodge.