CHAPTER SIX
A ball of energy bursts into the room like an alarm clock cranked to max. “Wake up, wake up, wake up!”
I fling upright in bed. My fuzzy vision barely makes out the shape of Ronnie rushing at me. She’s carrying a tray and a smile that could replace the rising sun.
“Such a sleepy head. Don’t worry. I brought you breakfast.” She places what now appears to be a large storage container lid on my lap.
I blink at the assortment of plastic items and clay blobs. “Um, I can’t eat this.”
She huffs. “It’s just pretend. Like yesterday, remember? You have to use your imagination.”
The disappointment in her tone hits my inexperience like a slap to the back of the head. I deserve it. Never did I ever think I’d be in a situation like this.
For whatever reason, this innocent kid believes I’m capable of being her nanny. I couldn’t be less qualified if I tried. But her pretty green stare is full of anticipation.
A long sigh breezes from my lips. I might not be fit for the position, but I’m not a quitter either.
“This looks delicious.” I grab the spoon and scoop some beads from a dish, bringing what I imagine to be rainbow soup to my mouth. “Yummy.”
Ronnie leans forward. “Is it good?”
My nod is instant. “Mhmm, best breakfast I’ve ever had.”
Her giggle is shrill and forgiving. I realize I’m smiling, which is startling.
That’s not enough for Ronnie. Before I can brace myself, she’s launching herself into the empty space beside me and settling under the covers.
Disbelief snorts out of me in an obnoxious noise.
She just beams at me as if I’m the reason for her happiness.
This girl has no boundaries with someone who’s practically a stranger, but I applaud her tenacity.
I put the food tray aside and give her my full attention. “So… uh, now what?”
Ronnie scrunches her features. “We could watch a movie.”
My gaze slides to the large screen hanging on the wall in front of us.
It’s one of the many comforts surrounding me.
The room I’ve been put up in reminds me of a luxury suite.
It’s all expensive furnishings in complimentary tones.
My fingers slide over the sheets that are a higher thread count than I’ve ever felt.
Wouldn’t expect anything less in a Benson house, even for the hired help.
“What movie?” I scan the numerous glossy surfaces in search of the remote.
Ronnie frees herself from the sheets, leaping to her feet like she just downed a shot of espresso. “KPop Demon Hunters!”
A dull throb strikes my temples as the springs creak from her nonstop motion. I need several sips of the energy tonic she’s obviously guzzled. It takes my sluggish brain a moment to process the name of the movie she suggested.
“Are you allowed to watch that?”
She stops bouncing long enough to gawk at me. “Uh, duh. It’s my most favorite everrrrrr!”
“Right, of course.”
I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s clear Ronnie rules the roost, which now includes me. I’m here to do her bidding, but she’ll get tired of me soon enough. When that happens, her tyrannical father will let me go. Until then, I’ll play the part she’s cast for me.
That means I need to find the freaking remote. Maybe there isn’t one. “Do you know how to turn on the TV?”
“Yep!” She tumbles off the mattress in an acrobatic move that would break my hip.
I wince at the phantom ache. “What time is it?”
Ronnie shrugs while grabbing a tablet from the nightstand drawer. “I dunno.”
“Feels early,” I mumble.
Especially with this mental gymnastics routine I’m performing before coffee. Ronnie is already dressed and ready for the day. Meanwhile, I’m barely functioning and a shag carpet has replaced my tongue.
“No more sleepin’. Get outta bed.” She tugs at my arm.
“I thought we were watching the demon movie.”
“Oh, yeah!”
The little girl stabs at the device in her hands, bringing the television to life. Her fingers glide over the tablet screen with practiced motions. It doesn’t take longer than ten seconds for her favorite film to start playing. Kids and their technology.
A pressure in my bladder presents itself as the opening scene kicks things off. Ronnie’s focus is glued to the TV. That allows me to creep over to the bathroom unnoticed. At least until the light turns on automatically.
Her head whips toward me. “Where are you going?”
“Nature calls,” I explain.
She gives me a blank stare.
“Potty,” I reiterate.
“Do you want privacy?”
Now it’s my turn to gape at her. Would she actually watch me pee? “Yes, I need privacy.”
“Close the door, but don’t lock it.” That statement sounds like one she’s heard a time or two. “And don’t forget to flush.”
“Got it.”
I go about my business, taking a few extra minutes to brush my teeth. A glance in the mirror is a mistake. The reflection staring back at me is a wreck. My hair is a tangle of red knots and dark circles sit heavy under my eyes.
“Rough night,” I mutter.
A knock interrupts my musings. “What’s taking so long?”
I can’t help but laugh. “I’m trying to fix my face.”
“Is it broken?” The muffled question sounds like she’s pressing her mouth against the door.
My head hangs between my shoulders as I allow the humor of this situation to shake through me. “It’s a real mess, kiddo. Just give me a few moments, okay?”
There’s a pause as if she’s weighing the options. “Hurry up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What was that?”
I straighten out of habit. The reflex is extra ridiculous since she’s a child and can’t see me. “I’ll be out soon.”
Which ends up being entirely too long based on the defeated expression Ronnie is wearing. She’s sitting on the floor, blocking my path, which forces me to see the upset I caused. But before I can soothe her hurt feelings, the little girl is up and on the move again.
“Finally,” she huffs. “You were in there forever.”
“That’s a slight exaggeration.”
Ronnie parks a hand on her hip. “Huh?”
My palm swats away the unnecessary vocab lesson. “I thought you were watching the movie.”
She glances over her shoulder, but dismisses the film quickly. “I wanna do something else.”
My thoughts whirl as her bottomless energy spins in fast twirls across the room. “Like what?”
“You pick.”
My severe lack of skills makes another appearance. “Don’t you have school?”
“It’s a home day.”
I’ve lost track, but it must be the weekend. “What do you like to do for fun?”
“Lotsa stuff,” she chirps.
My empty stomach clenches. Gosh, this is awkward. But only for me. Ronnie seems fine with idle chit-chat. I mentally add that to her list of interests.
“How about we find your dad?”
Ronnie skips to the breakfast tray she brought me and picks up a clump of clay. “He’s busy.”
“With what?”
Her tongue pokes out as she works hard on molding a new creation. “Talkin’ to Uncle Chase. He’s mad at him again.”
“Why?”
She shrugs at my misplaced curiosity. “He told me to stay put in the kitchen. I was still eating cereal, but then he walked away. My feet were so super quiet as I spied on him. Daddy’s voice got really loud. Like a lion. Roar! Didn’t you hear it? I think Uncle Chase is in big trouble.”
I’m nodding along with her until she’s done. “Do you ever get in trouble?”
“Why would I?”
“Maybe for not doing as you’re told?”
Ronnie’s lips squish to one side. “Nope.”
What a childhood that would be. A pang of longing spreads through my chest. It’s a useless fantasy where I came from. But there’s something even the likes of me can ask for.
“Well, I could use a cup of coffee.”
“Oh, yay! I’ll make it for you. C’mon!” The bubbly bundle of exuberance turns and takes off faster than I can follow.
“Let me help,” I plead. “There’s no fooling my caffeine addiction with pretend. It has to be the real deal.”
Or else I’ll be even more worthless while Ronnie runs circles around me.