Chapter Thirteen
Greyson
The contract said Mya’s workday ended with dinner, but try to tell Benji that.
Or her. When I got home from work, the two of them were already thick as thieves.
Benji had to tell me all about helping cook dinner with his special tools and make me taste everything and tell him what good cooks they both were.
Pot roast. Something I hadn’t had in years but a favorite of mine growing up.
It was good. After we finished eating, with Benji off playing, we went over the contract I’d had drawn up during the day.
Mya’s welfare and Benji’s were first in my mind.
They both had been through some stuff, even if Mya chose not to share hers.
Those marks on her face and whatever made her wince when she reached over her head were concerning.
But we were entering an employer-employee relationship, and I didn’t have the right to force her to tell me the details.
Even if I did have a bear ready to go find whoever was responsible.
But for tonight, I was marveling at how nice it was to come home to a house that smelled of cooking dinner.
Everything looked neater, as well, although I hadn’t expected her to do any housework.
But the books on the shelf were lined up and there was a whole lot less dust. Little things that made everything feel homier.
She had a “list of questions and concerns” to share. After she’d already signed the contract. That was promising, if a little nerve-racking.
Mya looked so serious, and when she said a list, she meant it. She’d found a notepad somewhere and laid it on the table next to the contract.
I told her to go on, hoping I had the answers she needed to hear. Contract or no contract, I wasn’t going to hold her to anything she wasn’t comfortable with.
“First, is it all right if we use the pool? We did today, but since you had it put away, I didn’t want to do it again without checking.”
“It’s fine. Just never leave him alone.” It was only about a foot-and-a-half deep, and I didn’t think she’d turn her back on him in the water, but I had to say it.
“Of course.” She checked it off. “Can I take him to the children’s museum? I looked online and there is one, and he says he’s never been.”
“I didn’t know there was one.” Which made me feel like a failure. My smart little cub would love that. “Yes, of course, you can take him.”
We continued down her list of questions, none of which so far had to do with her employment and all of which was to my son’s benefit.
She’d done a lot of research and found all sorts of enrichment activities they could do together.
How had I been so lucky as to have her show up in my driveway like that?
Speaking of which, I had a feeling I knew what her next question would be.
“It’s very nice of you to let me use your spare car, while mine is down, but did you have a chance to look into repairing it?
I’m sure I won’t have enough to pay for parts or whatever it needs right away, but if I know what to save for, I could have them done as soon as I have enough of my salary put away. ”
“I didn’t, but I will take a look before I go to the office in the morning as long as you don’t waylay me with delicious pancakes again.”
“Oatmeal, then?”
I chuckled. “Or something like that. And remember, you aren’t the cook and housekeeper here. I appreciate anything you do, but you’re being paid to watch and spend time with Benji.”
“I like cooking, and tidying is no big deal since I’m here anyway.”
“Myaaa, I want to take a bath.” Benji’s voice cut into our chat, and Mya was on her feet before I could remind her that she was done for the day.
“Coming, Benji.” The two of them were up the stairs, Benji’s hand tucked in hers while he discussed what kind of action his ducks had planned for this evening.
I loved tubby time, but the two of them were having fun, so I held back and checked a few work emails, listening to giggles in the background.
When they emerged from the bathroom, Benji wearing his bear footie jams, I was waiting to take over. “Mya, I’ll read the story. You’ve had a long day.”
She clearly was tired, but I tried not to let it sting that they both looked disappointed. They were having fun, and I probably should have let them finish up. I’d have lots of chances to read a story. But Mya slipped out the door, so I settled in.