NANNY FOR MENDES.

Sixteen

"You know? You're right." I hear her tell me. "You're right, Soph. I just didn't want to hear the truth. Last night was an eye-opener."

I nod. I have nothing else to say to her. I'm happy she realized the truth. But I don't want to talk to her right now.

"I've been scared to look in the mirror for so long, but I did today. And you were so damn right. I looked terrible, still do. And I want to change this. I want to change myself, my life. Your life. I want to change everything our life has become in the last six years.

"I'm sorry I made you go through this for six years. And I'm sorry I realized it too late. I wasted six years of our lives. And for that I'm sorry, too.

"And thank you. For opening my eyes, for making me realize all this. You're the reason why I looked in the mirror this morning. Looking in that mirror, I didn't recognize that woman in the reflection. Thank you, sweetheart."

I just go hug her. It's been a while since she called me "sweetheart." I'm so damn happy for her.

"But I want you to help, Soph. I can't do this on my own. I need you."

"I will help you Mom, I promise. I will."

********************************************

It's Wednesday. I already miss Raul so damn much. He called  me this morning, to "check on you, Soph. That's what friends do and you're my friend." What a great boy.

"Soph! Food is ready."

Finally!

"What's for lunch today?" I say as I go downstairs.

"Grilled Cheese."

"Nice."

"It's so good that you have today off. We'll spend some time together."

"Yeah. It's been a while." I say, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"So why are you off today?"

"Bear isn't home, so I have no work there."

"Bear?"

"It's a nickname." I tell her, biting my sandwich.

"So you and this kid bonded?"

"I think it's safe to say we're friends. He called this morning."

"That's good. So that means you're doing good in this job?"

There is no way in hell I'm telling her about Shawn's mood swings.

"Yes. It's good, actually. Better than I thought it'd be, really."

"So, why are 𝘺𝘰𝘶 home today?"

"I was too lazy to go to work this morning. So I called and took today off."

I looked at her and made a face.

"Mom. You never did this before. Ever. And I know you too well. Why did you really stay home today?"

"I have a date."

"WHAT?"

If that's her way of moving on, it is too fast.

"You..you don't want me to go on a date? But I thought that after we talked the other ni--"

I hover over the table and hug her.

"Of course I want you to go! I'm happy for you. I really am. And I'm proud too. That was too fast. Who's the lucky guy?" I pull back and sit back on my chair.

"William Davis..."

"William Davis..as in our 𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘳?" I ask, shocked. Didn't see that one come. "But how? And when?"