THE NANNY DIARIES
"Grandma, Grayer. Grayer, this is Grandma."
My grandmother crouches down in her black satin pajama pants, her pearls clicking together as she extends a hand.
"Pleased to meet you, Grayer. And darling, you must be Al."
Grayer blushes deeply. "Well, are we doing Christmas or what? Everybody in who want rugelach."
"Thanks so much, Gran. We were in desperate need of a surface to decorate." The doorbell rings behind us as I reach to take off Grayer's coat.
"A surface! Don't be ridiculous." She reaches over Grayer's head to open the door and there stands a huge tree with two arms wrapped around it.
"Right this way!" she says. "Now, Grayer," she whispers, "you cover Al's eyes. It's all about the surprise."
We kick off our boots and follow closely behind them into the apartment.
I've got a hand it to her --- she had the deliveryman place it squarely in the middle of the living room.
She sees him out and returns to join us.
"Grandma, you really didn't have to get a---"
"If you're going to do something, darling, then do it all the way. Now, Grayer, let me hit the special effects and we'll get this soiree started."
Grayer holds his hand carefully over Al's eyes as my grandmother turn on Frank Sinatra--- "Can't find Bing," she mouths--- and hits the lights.
She lit candles all about the room, setting a beautiful glow around our family pictures, and as Frank croons "The Lady Is a Trip," it's breathtaking.
She leans down to Grayer. "Well, sir, whenever you're ready, I believe Al should meet tree."
We both make drum-roll noises Grayer takes his hand of Al's eyes and asks him exactly where he would like to hang out first.
An hour later the two of us are lounging on the cushions beneath the green boughs, sipping hot chocolate, while Grayer relocates Al at whim.
"So, how's your drama with your H. H.?"
"I can't get a read on him. I want him to be different from all those boys, but there's really no good reason why he would be. Of course, if I never see him again it's pretty irrelevant."
"Keep riding the elevator, dear. He'll show up. So, how are finals going?" she asks.
"Only one more and I'm done. it's been insane --- the Xes have been out at Christmas parties every night. I only study after Grayer goes to sleep, which, ultimately, is probably better than trying to concentrate over the sounds of Charlene and her hairy boyfriend---"
She looks at me. "Don't even get me started."
"Well, just don't wear yourself out. It's not worth it."
"I know. But the bonus is bound to be good this year --- she's mentioned Paris."
"Oh là là, très bien."
YOU ARE READING
The nanny Diaries
HumorNan has a tricky relationship with her employer, Mrs. A non- existent relationship with Mr X. But she loves their little boy to pieces. In between looking after four-year-old Grayer and running a thousand errands for Mrs X, his rich, upr...
