NANNY FOR MENDES.

Forty-five

It's Monday. I've been working here for almost 14 weeks now. Tomorrow, it'll be exactly 14 weeks. And let me tell you, I've never been more nervous in the last 13 weeks. I'm meeting his parents today. Raul's parents. I don't know that they'll like me. Ugh.

Shawn, Noah, Bear and I are in the car. Shawn and Noah in the front seats, Bear and I in the back seats. They've been chatting since we started our ride. I almost didn't say a word. When Raul asks me something, I answer him. Other than this, I don't say anything. I'm extremely nervous. I want to make a good impression.

I made Shawn drive me to my house first this morning. Mom scolded me. I hadn't called her to say I was staying the night. I didn't even know I was staying the night. I just did. It became too late for me to leave alone, and Shawn couldn't drive me and leave Bear alone. So I just spent the night at Shawn's. I apologized to her, kissed her forehead and cheek, and hugged her, saying I was sorry. I was too consumed in my worry yesterday to notice I didn't call Mom. I went upstairs to my room, wore a nice outfit, let my hair loose, put on a little bit of makeup, wore my hoop earrings, my silver necklace and wore nice shoes. I got a big backpack out of my closet, put inside some tank tops, sweatpants, underwear—lots of it—, hair brush and comb, hair towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, perfume, pyjamas, two pair of jeans—one black, one blue—, socks and a pair of sneakers. And finally, my makeup bag. Everything I needed for the few days we're staying there.

"Soph. You have to see where and how we grew up. Pickering is home for us. We'll show you everything from our days." Noah says.

It takes me a second to realize he's talking to me.

"Relax. Why are you so nervous?" Shawn asks.

I sigh. "I'm not nervous."

He looks at me through the rearview mirror, raising his eyebrows.

"Okay. I am nervous. But in my defense, I'm meeting your family."

"Yeah. So? You don't have to be that nervous."

I nod. But that doesn't mean I'm less nervous.

************************************************
"We're here." Shawn says, parking his car in front of a house. It's long big house. All white.

Shawn and Noah get out of the car. I open the door for Bear and me. He gets out and I follow him.
He takes my hand and his and walks us toward the front door. Noah and Shawn are behind, walking a bit slower.

"Chill." Shawn says, putting his hand on my back.

"I'm trying to."

Bear rings the bell. A few seconds later, a woman opens the door.

"Grandma!" Raul yells, excitedly and hugs her.

"Raul! I missed you sweetheart!" She says, as excitedly as Raul did. She turns him around. I take the chance and go behind Shawn and Noah.
Shawn stares at me, confused, and then shakes his head.

Karen lets Raul down on his feet.

"Hey Karen." Noah says, hugging her. Obviously, he considers her his own.

"Hey there Noah. I missed you boy. You haven't called me in two days you ass." Oh my God. They are used to each other. She just swore. Instead of telling him off.

They pull apart and Shawn goes next to greet his mother.

"Hey, Mom." He hugs her that mother-son hug. Cute as hell. And apparently, he's his mother's boy.

"Hey, son. I missed you. It's been a while since you visited." She says.

They pull apart, and then Shawn says: "I've been really busy Mom. Work. And other things too." I think I know what he means by "other things".