Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“People aren’t paying attention then,” he says breezily as he pulls out a brewed cup of coffee and slides it across the counter toward me. He grabs another cup and starts the process all over again. I’ll need him to teach me how to use that machine. “How do you take your coffee?”
“Just cream, but with a heavy hand.” I move the plates to the placemats before each island stool and then grab utensils before pulling off three paper towels from the roll.
Yesterday I walked through the entire house, except for the master bedroom, and opened every single closet and cabinet to familiarize myself with where everything is. I need to know what over-the-counter medications he has available for Bowie Jane, as well as where the fire extinguishers are. I examined the basement and found the main water shutoff valve in case there’s a water leak, and then I started a list of questions to go over with Foster.
Of utmost importance is to find out when he last replaced the batteries in the smoke detectors as well as if he and Bowie Jane have a fire escape plan in place.
Just as Foster is bringing his coffee to the island, Bowie Jane walks back in.
I pull out the middle stool where I’d placed her plate and pat the seat. “Hop on up and tuck in. What do you want to drink? Cranberry juice, orange juice or a brilliant sunrise?”
Bowie Jane’s face lights up in surprise that I know her favorite breakfast drinks. Her dad told me she’ll either drink cranberry or orange but on occasion she likes them mixed and they call it a sunrise because the melded colors sort of look that way.
“Sunrise, please,” she says, and I’m pleased to note that the please comes naturally, meaning it’s a manner she was taught early on and it’s been enforced.
“I’ll get it,” Foster says and turns for the fridge. I start to argue, because my job is to take care of Bowie Jane. All the other households I’ve worked for before would have expected me to be the one to do it. And as dear as some of my employers were to me, they never would’ve served me coffee.
I ultimately let Foster get her juice because that’s also an important role he needs to fulfill… being a dad. I expect he’ll be the type that even if I’m standing right here, ready to jump to Bowie Jane’s needs, he’ll want to undertake some of it himself. I make a mental note to talk to him about that and let him know that I won’t step on his toes but that I’m here to be his primary go-to person for all of Bowie Jane’s needs.
“Your dad is going to register you at school today so that leaves you and me to get in all kinds of trouble.” I nudge Bowie Jane with my arm and she giggles. “What would you like to do?”
She glances hesitantly at her dad. “Can we go clothes shopping?”
Foster laughs. “Of course you can.” His gaze goes over the top of Bowie Jane’s head to me. “Just be prepared for a long day. This child loves trying on clothes and putting together funky outfits. And trust me when I say she didn’t get that from me.”
Bowie Jane’s smile slips a little and I expect that just dredged up fresh feelings of loss. I go out on a limb and suggest, “We can take lots of photos of you while you’re trying on clothes and then text them to your mom for her opinion.” I look at Foster. “Think that would be cool?”
His expression is untroubled and I can tell by the respect shining in his eyes, he loves the idea. “I’ll do a text introduction between you and Sandra. You’ll need her contact information anyway.” Foster puts a hand on top of Bowie Jane’s head and ruffles her hair. “I bet your mom would love that.”
“I guess,” she whispers, and I wonder about the lack of enthusiasm. I know things weren’t good yesterday when Foster was getting his daughter but surely Sandra will still be present and involved in all ways with Bowie Jane. Miles might separate them but with phones, text and FaceTime, she can be right there with Bowie Jane for all sorts of things. By all accounts, mother and daughter are close, despite this little hiccup they seem to be experiencing.
I’ll pull Foster aside later and ask more about that dynamic so I understand it and, most importantly, so I know how to communicate with Bowie Jane if and when it comes up. I’ll look to Foster to give me very clear instructions on how he wants me to handle this issue.
“I’ve got an idea,” Foster says and then takes a bite of the casserole. He groans with delight over the taste, rolling his eyes once as he chews. When he swallows, he says, “This is amazing.”