I’d already texted my parents, Lucy, a few friends… and they were all booked, of course.
Why does everyone in my life have to be so responsible and gainfully employed?
I’d considered asking Alisha’s mom or her sister, Bailee, to help me out. I was sure they’d say yes in a heartbeat since they always jumped at the chance to spend time with Charlotte. But as they both lived an hour away in Manhattan, they really were a last resort.
I had a really big case this week and couldn’t risk getting stuck on a train when I was supposed to be in court.
Maybe I could ask my housekeeper? Jessie was already scheduled to be at my house on Monday, since it was her cleaning and meal-prep day. She had three kids of her own. She could certainly handle my feral three-year-old for a day, right?
Keeping Charlotte alive was definitely more important than getting the laundry washed and floors mopped.
But then, as I glanced back toward the yard, my eyes caught on Nora. She was crouched down to tie a little girl’s shoe, and when the little girl laughed, a new thought crossed my mind.
Maybeshewould be up for babysitting?
She wouldn’t have a princess gig on a Monday, right?
I thumbed a quick text to my sister just to make sure it was even a good idea to approach her friend.
Me: Do you know if Nora has work on Monday? And if she’d be the type to babysit a three-year-old last minute?
Lucy replied within seconds.
Lucy: Last I heard, she was still looking for a job. Want me to ask if she’s available?
I stared at the message, debating. Having Lucy ask would save me from a potentially awkward face-to-face conversation.
But I was a grown man. I faced down opposing counsel for a living. I could handle asking my sister’s friend if she was up for babysitting my daughter.
Me: I’m at a birthday party with her right now so I’ll just ask her myself. Thanks!
Lucy: No prob. As long as you pay her a decent wage, I’m sure she’ll be happy to help. She needs the job. Plus, I’m pretty sure she likes Charlotte.
I sure hoped so. So far, they seemed to get along well.
When the rest of the parents arrived to gather their little princesses a while later, I lingered by the back patio with Charlotte, pretending to help her locate her goodie bag while mostly trying to decide if I should go talk to Nora.
She was still in full princess mode, chatting with Cassia near the bouncy castle, so I waited a few minutes, watching her nod and smile, her golden skirt catching the sunlight as if she’d stepped out of the movie.
Then the waiting started to feel awkward. The lawn was clearing out, and I didn’t want to be the weird dad hanging around the birthday party after everyone else had left.
“Hey, Char,” I said, crouching down beside her. “You want to get a picture with just you and Princess Belle before we go?”
“Yes!” Her face lit up instantly.
Good. That gave me a reason to hang around for a few minutes.
When I saw Nora and Cassia wrapping up their conversation, I took Charlotte’s hand and walked over. “Hey, Princess Belle,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound as dumb as I felt. “Wouldyou mind taking one more photo with Princess Jasmine before we head out?”
“I’d love to,” she said, smiling warmly.
They stood side by side, Nora kneeling slightly to get on Charlotte’s level. I snapped the photo, but before I could saythank you, Charlotte turned toward her. “I know that you’re not really Belle,” she whispered conspiratorially. “You’re Aunt Lucy’s friend.”
Nora glanced up, her big brown eyes flicking to mine for half a second before she smiled and said softly, “You’re right. I just wanted to dress up like you did today.”
Charlotte looked thoughtful for a beat, then frowned. “Does that mean your mom didn’tweallydie when you was a baby?”
My eyes widened, caught completely off guard. Had they talked about their dead mothers earlier? While I’d been outside with the other dads?