Jobs
I wake up and roll towards my open window. I smile. I feel the warm rays of sunlight tickling my arm. With a grunt, I roll out of bed and stand in from of my bedroom window in my third-story apartment in Manhatten. Just what I should have expected. It's snowing. It's late January, and the harsh, cold wind is blowing a lone piece of trash past the bundled-up strangers who are walking down the sidewalk in front of my building. I’m still not used to it snowing. I miss the hot Arizona sun. It was swimsuit weather in late January there. Here it's dead of winter, bundle in thirty layers of clothing to brave the outdoor kind of cold. Well, no point in procrastination. Time to get ready for work. I’ve been working at a Starbucks down the street for nearly three years now. I love this job because I get to meet all kinds of new people, but mainly because it pays the bills. My babysitting gig, however, pays my rent. You would think I would be scared of working in a public place after everything that happened in Arizona but I’m not. What's the chance they will find me here? In Manhatten of all places?
“Anna! Stop daydreaming!!”
“I’m not daydreaming!” I shoot back.
“Don’t argue. Just get back to work.”
At that, I shuffle off to scrub the floors where someone spilled their Apple Spice Machiatto. After the spill is successfully cleaned up, I stand and almost walk straight into someone so handsome, I freeze, and gape. He smiles and grabs me by the shoulders.
“Hello, Conscience. It’s been a few years, but you are gorgeous. A total knockout.
“I think you have me mistaken for someone else. My name is Anna.” I offer my nametag and flash him a wide smile.
“I don’t think I’m mistaken actually. Your name is Conscience Miller, you are 20 years old. You moved here to New York five years ago. You moved to get away from the mafia. From my father. You came here, changed your name, dyed your hair, and changed your style of clothing. Smart, but obviously not smart enough.” His hands on my shoulders become as tight as a vise and his flirtatious smile turns into a sneer.
“I’m sorry but you have the wrong person. Now please let go before my boss calls the police for harassment.” I brush him off and walk away.
“Your mother and father are dead. I’m just trying to help. Trust the family. We aren’t what you remember. Things aren’t as they appear!” He calls after me but I don’t look back.
Throughout the rest of my work, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being watched. I mean, if the family really did find me, then I have probably been watched over the last few months. Let's be realistic. After work, I pull on my heavy down parka, hat, mittens, and boots and hop on the closest subway. I have to meet Mrs. Dent at 300 Pearl Street so that I can pick up her kids and take them to my apartment for the a few nights. This job should get the rest of my overdue rent paid off. If I don't get it paid this month, I'm gonna get evicted. Absolutely terrifying. I can't end up on the streets. I start nodding off, just as my train pulls into the Pearl Street Station. I hop off and run to address 300. There they are. Two kids. One about my height. And one about waist height. And of course, their mother, hovering far too close. I can't blame her. This city is dangerous. And people aren't watching where they are going. The child could get trampled. And it's not my place to judge.
"Hello. I'm Anna Starduct. I'm the nanny you hired." I say timidly.
"Hi, Anna. I'm Mrs. Dent. This is my oldest, Jaxson. He's 18. Realistically, he doesn't need a nanny, but he doesn't want to leave his little brother alone. Speaking of his little brother, this is Milo. He's 7. They already ate lunch, but I would prefer you make them something healthy for supper. Milo won't eat anything green, but carrots and corn are a yes for veggies. And Jaxson is able to fend for himself if you don't feel like cooking for him." Mrs. Dent Smiles apologetically.
"Don't you fret ma'am. I'll have them both fed. And Milo will be in bed by 8:30 as you asked." I smile and take Milos's hand.
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I'll be by to pick them up in three days." She kisses her children on the cheeks, and rushes off in the opposite direction, pulling her phone to her ear as she goes.
"Well kids, let's go catch the subway and make our way back to my house. Is it alright if we stop by the store on the way there to pick up some snack foods? I don't have much food at my house currently."
"Yeah. That's fine. Let's just get out of this cold." Jaxson shivers as we turn and walk back the way I came.
