NANNY FOR MENDES.

Ninety-five

𝗦𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗔'𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗩

Something is ringing. The annoying sound wakes me up. I open my eyes, and look at the love of my life, sleeping.

Shit! I can't let him wake up. This is my damn phone.

I retrieve my purse, get out of bed, gently, as not to wake my baby up.

I get out of the room, and close the door behind me, quietly. I open my purse, and take my phone.

Bear.

"Hey, baby. What are you doing awake? It's almost midnight."

"Hi, Mommy. I'm watching a movie with Grandma."

"Oh. What movie?"

"Toy Story."

"That's good."

I love you, Mom. I have to text her later to thank her.

"I called to ask about Dad."

"He's great, baby. I promise you. Stop worrying."

"I'll try."

I sigh. This boy loves his father so much. He doesn't want to lose him; I know the feeling.

"I gotta go, Bear."

"Okay, Mommy."

"Bye, baby."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" Aaliyah's voice startles me.

"Sorry." She mutters.

I nod.

"Are you okay?" She repeats the question.

"I'm okay. It's just that I was on the phone with Raul."

"Oh. How is he?"

"Worried. But Mom is trying to distract him."

"Good. He needs distraction."

"Yeah. After what he saw this morning, he really does need it."

"What did he see?"

"Me. Screaming and crying my eyes out. It definitely scared him."

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

"How are they?" She points at the door.

"Good. They're sleeping."

"By the way, I saw you."

"Saw me?"

"Yeah. You and Shawn were sleeping in each other's arms on the bed in there. It was so damn cute."

I blush. Why am I even embarrassed? Shawn is my boyfriend for God's sake and everyone knows it.

"Hey, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. I didn't mean to."

"It's fine." I shrug.

"Where are Karen and Manny?"

"In the cafeteria."

I nod.

"How are they?"

"Shaken from all that happened. But they're okay now."

"We all are."

But she looks sad. Aren't Shawn and Noah okay now? Why is she even sad?

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just thinking." She shrugs.

"About Noah and if something bad happened to him when we weren't on good terms and I said 'I hate you.' The guilt is consuming me." Tears run down her cheeks.