Page 111 of Nine Week Nanny

It’s moments like that that make it all worth it. This kid has shown me so much love and resilience. If he can do it, so can I.

Back at the house, I set Lennon up with a science worksheet. "Take your time with this. I'll be right here if you need help."

While he works, my mind drifts again. Pope's words echo in my head:I love you. Was it real? Or just desperation in the moment?

I catch myself staring blankly at the wall, fingers absently tracing the ridges of Lennon's shell.

I letmyself into my apartment, breathing in the slightly stale air. It's funny how quickly a place stops feeling like home.

The small stack of mail teeters on my entry table, where I tossed it the last time I stopped by. Bills, junk, and that unopened envelope from Coastal Children's Behavioral Health.

My fingers hover over it. I'd shoved it aside before, not wanting to face another rejection while I was still licking my wounds. But I need to read if I even have a job at the end of this.

I drop onto my couch and tear it open. My pulse jumps as I unfold the linen paper.

Dear Ms. Brennan,

We are pleased to inform you that the funding issue regarding your position has been resolved. We would like to extend our formal offer for you to join our clinical team.

If the timing works for you, we could set up a start date of Monday, September 15.

I pull up the calendar on my phone. September 15 is exactly two weeks from today. Could I put all of this with Pope finally behind me in as soon as two weeks?

We understand you may have other obligations already lined up, so we will also honor the original ninety-day schedule if that suits you better. Please call the office once you get this letter so we can discuss how we move forward.

My breath catches. They want me. They actually want me.

I scan the rest of the letter, including salary details, benefits package, orientation schedule. Everything else is exactly as the original offer.

Relief floods through me like a physical wave. I'm not damaged goods. I'm not unwanted. I have options.

Lennon's face flashes in my mind, the way he looked this morning when he showered me with shells, the way he was so worried about my happiness when he is the one dealing with unfathomable loss.

And Pope...

I press my palm against my forehead. What a mess. What an absolute, fucking mess.

Taking this job means leaving them both.

I smooth the page flat on my lap. This isn’t my battle. It was never supposed to be permanent. But the words don’t lift the weight in my chest.

My hand trembles as I pick it back up and scan it again. Two paths stretch before me: the career I've worked toward for years, or a few more weeks in a situation that's breaking my heart daily.

I reach for my phone and dial the number at the bottom of the letter. I need more information before I can decide anything.

A receptionist answers on the third ring. "Coastal Children's Behavioral Health."

"Hi, this is Sloane Brennan. I just received your letter about my position, and I'd like to speak with Cindy about the position details."

"Oh, Sloane! I'm so glad you called." Cindy's voice bubbles through the phone, chipper and warm. "We were beginning to worry you might have accepted another position."

"No, nothing like that." I twist a loose thread on my shirt. "I've been working as a live-in nanny while waiting for things to open up, so I don't check my mail regularly."

"A nanny? With your credentials?"

I close my eyes. "It's actually been a good fit. I needed to find something after my position was on hold."

"Well, we're thrilled to have you join our team whenever you're ready." Papers rustle on her end. "Like the letter says, we can start you as early as September 15th or honor the original timeline. Whatever works best for you."