Melody
We managed to inform the residents of Oakridge about the carnival. Oliver and Conner propped the doors open as people entered and headed to the carnival. Kids ran into the area toward the rides and booths. Adults wandered around the site and checked out everything.
Mercedes and Rachel painted the kids' faces. Jorge spoke to the kids about service animals and let them pet Chase. Kyler and Sofie helped different kids. D's family worked the roses, booths, and concession stands.
Out of darkness comes light.
Why should the children suffer for one person's actions?
I walked around and greeted people.
Larkin approached me while eating an elephant ear. "Hello, Melody."
"Hey, Larkin. Are you having a good time?"
"The best. Marshmallow knows how to make elephant ears."
I snickered.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm doing okay."
"I heard Oliver offered you a job."
"Reverend Harper didn't need to pay me. I would have helped, anyway."
"No, but Oliver follows Uncle Nix's teachings." Larkin winked at me.
"Thank you."
"For what?" Larkin cocked her head.
"For helping me."
"Sweetheart, you helped my boo-boo. It was the least I could do to repay the favor."
I smiled as Larkin munched on her elephant ear.
******
Demarco
After helping a kid, I glanced at Mel and Grammy talking and smiled. My girl was remarkable.
"What's with the cheesy grin?" Kyler asked.
"I don't have a cheesy grin." I rolled my eyes.
"D, you are the definition of cheese."
I shook my head. "It's nice to see Mel smile. I didn't think she would smile again after what happened."
"Unlike you, Melody doesn't sulk forever."
I gave Kyler an unamused look. "Weren't you the one who dragged your girl on horrible dates?"
"You just had to bring that up, didn't you?"
Kyler and I started arguing about his poor choices with Rachel. Yep, things are returning to normal between us.
*******
Marla
I wandered around the carnival and approached people about a nanny job. People turned me down and walked away. I held a stack of resumes in my hands and sighed.
Mercedes suggested I bring my resumes to the carnival and pass them out. The few people who took one crumpled it and tossed it away.
I spotted my sisters having fun, sighed, and found an empty table to sit at. How is it so easy for others to get a job and not for me? I sat at the table and knitted my brows as people enjoyed the carnival.
Maybe I should change my major to business. As I pondered my job choices, I heard yelling. A little human crashed into my back. I glanced behind me to see Julia and swiveled to face her. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"Hi, Marla." Julia smiled and waved.
Maddie ran up to us, out of breath. "Julia!"
Julia gripped my legs and wouldn't let go.
Maddie tried to pull Julia from me. "Julia."
"No, nanny!" Julia slapped Maddie's hands.
"Hunny, what has gotten into you?"
Julia looked up at me with her big brown eyes. "I want to stay wif you."
My brows shot up. "Oh, Hunny. You can't stay with me. Your nanny would miss you too much."
"Pease."
I looked at Maddie and crumpled my brows.
Maddie looked past me and pointed. "What's that?"
I turned to what she was looking at. "Oh, that's nothing." I shook my head.
"Can I see?"
"If you want." I handed Maddie my resume.
She took it, read through it, and looked at me. "You're looking for a nanny job?"
"I'm studying early childhood development. I thought it would help to work with kids."
Maddie took a seat beside me. "Have you ever cared for children before?"
"I haven't had a chance. People keep turning me down."
"Why?"
"They don't consider me a good fit, aka I'm unworthy of caring for their children."
"Have you ever hurt a child?"
"What? I would never hurt a child."
"Sorry. I had to ask."
"It's okay."
"Well, Julia seems to like you."
"Wait. Are you offering me a job?"
"Hold on." Maddie turned her head. "Nash!"
A guy strode toward us. "Hey, hun." He leaned in and kissed Maddie. "What's up?"
"Remember when we discussed hiring a nanny for Julia?"
Nash looked past Maddie at me with Julia, then at Maddie. "Yeah."
Maddie handed Nash my resume. "I think I found a nanny for Julia."
Nash took my resume and read through it before taking a seat across from us. "Have you ever watched kids before?"
"No, but I've visited the Oakridge Center for Children with my sister, Mercedes," I said.
"How are you with kids?"
"Kids seem to enjoy my presence." I shrugged.
"The job would be from seven to five until Julia's dad comes home."
"Who's Julia's dad?"
"His name is Dexter."
Shit.
"Problem?"
"No, no problem." Not a problem until your son finds out since I remember him from high school.
"Can you start next month?"
"Sure." I forced a smile.
Nash jotted down the address and handed it to me. "This is our address. Stop by, and we'll show you around before you start work."
I took the slip from Nash. "You don't want to do a background check?"
"I trust my wife. Plus, Julia likes you."
I smiled slightly.
Nash stood up and walked over to Julia. "Come on, sweetheart."
"No, Gampa!" Julia smacked his hands. "I want Marla!"
Nash sighed. "Julia."
Julia turned to Nash and put her hands on her waist. "No, Gampa!"
Frustration flooded Nash's face.
"Why don't I spend time with Julia?" I asked.
Nash and Maddie glanced at me with hesitation.
"You can stay close to Julia."
"Fine." Nash sighed.
I got up and held my hand out to Julia. Julia placed her tiny hand in mine, then dragged me to a ride. Maddie and Nash followed us.
*******
Sofie
I wandered around the carnival, stuffing my face with cotton candy until I reached Melody. "Cotton candy?"
"Sure." Melody pulled some from my holder.
We watched a toddler drag Marla around with two people trailing them.
"When did Marla get a kid?" I asked.
"Oh, that's Julia," Melody said.
"Who's Julia?"
"She's this little girl we met at the bakery. She ran away from her grandmother."
I giggled.
"But Marla has been wanting a nanny job."
"I thought Marla was talking nonsense."
"Why?"
"You remember Marla's mouth in high school. She called her sister a shrew."
"True. But Marla is so good with kids."
"Really?"
Melody nodded.
Will people never cease to amaze me?
*****
Marla
Julia dragged me to a ride. I climbed in with her and sat with her. The ride moved as Julian held the bar and squealed. I couldn't help but laugh.
When the ride finished, Julia dragged me to another one. I kept riding the rides with her, making sure she kept her hands on the bar or inside. The kid had boundless energy until she fell asleep.
I carried Julia to her grandparents and handed her to them. Nash took Julian from me and nodded before leaving.
"Look at you acting motherly," Mercedes said.
I turned to Mercedes and Kenzie. "I'll have you know children love me."
"Since when?" Kenzie asked.
"Since forever. Why do you have to kill my dreams?"
"Because I grew up with you." Kenzie shrugged.
"Oh, haha." I rolled my eyes. "But I got a job."
My sisters looked at each other, then at me. "What?"
"Nash and Maddie hired me as Julia's nanny." I smiled.
My sisters' faces contorted in surprise before they congratulated me. I couldn't wait to start my job. Now to avoid as much interaction with Dexter O'Neill. This would take some finesse.
******
Dexter
I got off work and headed home. My folks took Julia to the carnival with the stipulation they wouldn't tell anyone who Julia was. I didn't need the family to ask questions or have people find Julia, especially Julia's mother.
I entered the house to find my parents in the living room. "Where's Julia?"
"Sleeping," my dad said.
"Did Julia have fun?"
"Yeah, she did. Sit. We need to talk to you." Dad pointed to a chair.
I set my bag down and sat in the chair.
"Your mom and I hired a nanny for Julia."
"What?" I pinched my brows together.
"Don't give me that look, Dexter. Your mom needs to return to work. You need help with Julia."
"Nana and Grandpa will help."
Dad shook his head. "I won't saddle your grandparents with your responsibility. You wanted to keep Julia. It comes with responsibilities."
"What about...."
Dad held his hand up, then lowered it. "Your mom and I discussed it. The girl will stop by to get acquainted with Julia's routine. The family doesn't know except for our immediate family."
"I guess that's it. You decided without my input."
"Dexter, you made promises you couldn't keep."
"I made a mistake."
"Your mistake affected more than just you. My brother and his family suffered for your mistake."
I looked at my dad and knew he was right. I haven't spoken to Keaton in years because of my actions. I ruined his life without thinking twice.
My folks looked at me as I nodded in resignation.
"Your mom and I will cover the nanny's expenses since it was our idea," my dad said.
I didn't say anything and checked on Julia. I crept into the bedroom and lowered myself on the bed. Julia slept, curled in a ball. No one would take my daughter from me. She was everything to me.
Let's hope this nanny works out.