Scream For me

The meeting goes great, beyond great actually, and runs long. I glance at my watch, realizing that I’m going to be late getting home which means the nanny will be pissed that I made her stay late… again. Maybe Miss Flowers was right about me; I need to learn a lesson in time management.

“Weston, I’m going to be honest with you. You are the man we want to do business with. Now, I’m not saying it’s a done deal; we are being courted pretty seriously by one other company we are considering. I know we’ve taken this meeting over, but I’d appreciate it if you could join us for dinner and drinks at Mastro’s tonight.”

Fuck. The nanny won’t stay any later; I can guarantee it and tonight is my mother’s weekly charity something or other.

“Of course, I’m excited to continue the conversation.” I smile as we agree to meet at seven p. m.

I grab my jacket and phone, heading to the elevator. Loretta is already gone for the day, as is pretty much everyone else.

“Weston,” I hear Natalie’s raspy voice call after me as I walk briskly through the building lobby toward my waiting car, but I don’t stop. I pick up the pace and duck into the car quickly.

“Evening, Mr. Vaughn.”

“Evening, Nick. In a hurry tonight,” I say to my driver as he closes the door behind me.

“Long day?”

“Very,” I reply as I stare out the window, not focusing my attention on anything in particular. Sometimes I feel like my life has lost all meaning, and then I look into Daisy’s eyes and realize she’s my reason for living, my reason for everything.

“How’s the little one?” Nick has been my driver for a decade. He was the one to rush us to the hospital when Mirabelle went into labor with Daisy. Sometimes it feels like he’s more family than my own.

“Great. Loves school and her new teacher.” I think back on how many times a day I hear Daisy reference Miss Flowers. “How’s your new grandson?”

“Oh, he’s great. Already has the Mrs. and me wrapped around his tiny finger.”

We make small talk on the way back to my building. I try to remain engaged but I’m too focused on how badly I’m struggling trying to balance being a father and running my company. I rub my forehead, remembering Mirabelle saying something similar to me just after Daisy was born.

“It’s bad enough you’re not around like you should be for your wife,

Weston, but you can’t do this with a child. We need you here.”

The second the car slows and Nick pulls up in front of my building, I’m running out of the door and inside. The elevator barely opens an inch before the nanny is standing in the foyer, arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face.

“Mr. Vaughn,” she starts and I hold up my hands.

“I know, Roxy, I know. I’m sorry, truly I am. A meeting ran long and now it’s turned into an unexpected dinner.” I look at her hopefully but the V in her forehead only deepens.

“Not a chance,” she says, reaching for her bag. “My girlfriend and I are celebrating our first anniversary tonight and I’m already late for dinner so thanks for that.” She pats me on the arm and climbs into the elevator to leave. “And by the way, I’m moving in two weeks. Have a good night!” “Fuck!” I shout as the doors close.

“Daddy, bad word,” Daisy says, coming around the corner.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I’m sorry, sweetie. You’re right.” I crouch down and push her hair out of her eyes. “Did you get into the chocolate again?” I reach my thumb out and wipe away a smudge from the corner of her mouth.

“I dunno.” She shrugs, a coy little grin on her face.

“Oh yeah?” I grab her, tickling her as she squeals and crumples into my chest in a fit of giggles and squirms. “Did you have a good day at school?”

“Yeah, but I kind of didn’t want to leave.”

“What do you mean?”

“I like Miss Flowers more than Roxy. She’s nice to me. Can Miss Flowers be my nanny?”

“I don’t think she can, Daisy. She teaches other kids so she can’t just spend the whole day with you. Did Roxy do something wrong?” I ask, a little concerned.

“No.” She shrugs, reaching for my tie. “I just like Miss Flowers more.

She’s so nice and she talks to me a lot.”

“I know you do, honey. Listen, I know that you’re going to be upset but unfortunately, addydayddy has to go to a meeting tonight so is it okay if Grandma watches you?” I haven’t called my mother yet but I’m sure with enough groveling she can make it work tonight.

“Daddy,” she pouts and it breaks my heart.

“I know. Let me call Grandmandmacquicklyybe she can bring over her puppy Marshmallow.” That makes Daisy’s eyes light up.

I dial my mother who answers instantly.

“Hello, darling. Make it quick, please. I’m about to leave the house.”

“Shit, okay, well, I was hoping you would be able to watch Daisy for a little bit tonight. I have a di-”

“Weston, you know that I have my bimonthly board meeting tonight for the women’s league. I simply can’t.”

“There’s no chance she can go with you?”

“Heavens no, that would be torturous for her. What about the nanny?”

I drag my hand over my face, squeezing my temples. I can feel a tension headache building rapidly.

“I’ll figure it out, Mom. Enjoy your night.”

I hang up the phone and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Can Miss Flowers come over?”

I turn around and look at Daisy, ready to tell her no when suddenly I realize that it’s not a bad idea. Well, it is a bad idea because I barely know the woman and she’s made it clear she can’t stand me. Also, it seems a touch inappropriate to just text your child’s teacher and ask her to babysit. I think about it for another second, realizing in my desperation I don’t have any other options.

“Would you like that-if she watched you?” She nods her head with a big grin. “I’m sure she’ll be pissy about it,” I half mutter. “Okay, let me see what I can do. Why don’t you go get ready for a quick bath.”

I head to my office and pull out the paper with Daphne’s cell phone. After a simple search of her phone number, I find her address, recognizing the building instantly.

“What are the odds?” I mutter as I program her number into my phone.

I run upstairs, filling up the tub with bubbles, toys, and warm water. I give her a quick bath, pack her some snacks and a change of clothes just in case, and type out a message to Miss Flowers.

Me: Are you home?