NANNY FOR MENDES.

Sixty-four

"Change seats with me." I text Julien. He's sitting next to Shawn. Mom and I are sitting on the other part of the L-shaped couch in the living room.

"Pourquoi?" (Why?)

"Just do it and you'll see! Now!"

He does what I tell him. We switch seats and Mom looks at us, suspicious.

Shawn is smiling.

"So, Mom. Umm." I clear my throat. "I have something to tell you....."

"Okay. Go ahead." Mom says, suspicious.

Julien is looking at me, wide-eyed. I think he realizes what I'm about to do.

I take one of Shawn's hands in mine. That, of course, doesn't go unnoticed. Mom and Jul are staring at our hands.

"So.... you know that I have feelings for Shawn, right?"

Mom is shocked. I'm saying this in front of Shawn. She's amazed; she doesn't know. Yet.

I have to say it right now. If I don't, I won't tell her at all.

"Look Mom. I'm gonna be very straightforward with you. Shawn and I are now together."

"What?!"

"LA MERDE! FINALEMENT!" Julien yells. (Shit! Finally!)

Shawn laughs at this. I think Raul is asking Shawn what "la merde" means.

"You know?" Mom asks Julien.

"Yes. Soph told me."

"Wow." Mom says, totally unimpressed and annoyed.

"Yes." I say.

"When did this start?"

"Last Sunday."

"Mmm. Together? So I get it you have feelings for my daughter too, Shawn?"

He nods, smiling.

"Oh my God. No. No. He's your boss!"

This reminds me of something.... I'll do it later. I have to do it.

"I think we're over this, Mom. I don't think we've ever even considered each other boss and employee. We were never professional." I shrug.

"Soph. No, baby. You know my opinion." She puts her head in her hands and shakes it.

"Mom. I know. But can't you be a little happier for me?"

"I am. I really am. I can see he makes you happy and all. But....okay. Okay. Whatever you like."

"Thank you, Mom."

"But hey! If you break my daughter's heart, I'm gonna kill you." She says to Shawn, looking him in the eye, very serious.

"Don't worry. Your daughter means so much to me. I'd never break her heart."