“Don’t wanna but, yes, we should. Janet will be waiting and we have a whole day so…”
We dressed and took a last look around the room. God, it was a mess! We held hands as we entered the lift. We looked at each other and hugged. At the desk, we paid and thanked them for a delightful stay. We both saw the wry, professional smiles. I handed the valet my ticket and he brought it around. We tipped, and slipped into the car. We looked at each other and laughed.
We made our way out of the city and headed for suburbia. Chrissie put some insipid ‘pop’ music on, and we both bopped along the highway.
“What do you want to do with the kids today? Any plans?” I asked.
“None, really. I hadn’t planned on having them back so soon so…We could head back to the woods for a picnic or head down to the lakefront or even head over to the Field Museum and see Sue again. At least you’ll behave this time!” she smiled.
“Let’s see what they’re in the mood for and take it from there, okay?” I said.
It would be our first Family Day Outing.
Jeez, I thought…This is getting real now.
We pulled up to the house, both of us suddenly feeling like we were heading for the Walk of Shame. I hoped Janet would be gentle with us. This was going to be interesting.
“So, do we explain to our twenty-three-year-old babysitter where we have been, and why we didn’t come home? Or just act as normal as we can?” I asked Chrissie.
She laughed out loud. “You REALLY do overthink things, eh Tom?”
“Oh. So you’ve done this before?” I asked, puzzled.
“Well, yes. But NOT with my brother so…yeah, I guess we should, uh, play it by ear?” she said, with a whole lot of hesitation.
Fuck, that is all I could think.
We got out of the car and headed for the front door, wearing the same clothes as we had on fourteen hours ago. I sheepishly opened the door.
God, I thought. This is worse than when I used to sneak back in when I was seventeen!
All eyes turned to us as we walked in. David and Chloe ran over to us, laughing and happy. Janet? Hmm. She looked at me and gave me a coy smile. Nothing overt, but I could tell. I thought it best to ignore her gaze.
“How have they been?” I asked, trying to deflect any looming questions.
They’ve been wonderful…Uncle Tom,” she half-smirked. “They’ve missed you both, but they’ve been good. How was…your evening…Uncle Tom?” she asked, ramping up the uncomfortable levels a bit more.
“We…we had a lovely night, thanks. The company had plenty of spare rooms so we thought it best to stay, rather than drive home. We had a bit too much to eat and drink so…” hoping my feeble, made-up excuse, would suffice.
“I…I thought as much. I’m so glad you had a wonderful night,” she said then whispered, “Chrissie has missed a good… night out,” she smiled, her words dripping hidden innuendo.
Janet went over and hugged Chrissie. “I’m glad you had a good night, Chrissie,” she said.
“It was…was…a great evening. Yes. Thanks, Janet,” Chrissie stumbled. “So, can we have a quick word with you?” Chrissie asked. “Kids, why don’t you go outside for a bit. Mommy and Tom need to talk with Janet.”
When the kids were outside, Chrissie turned to Janet.
“Now. About us going to London? Mom and dad are happy to watch the kids, okay? That will free you up just a bit. But…we’d still like you to do the school runs, and get them settled when you get them home? I’ll ask you to pop over sometime when we can get everyone together just to go over things. Of course, we’ll pay you for the extra time, okay? The kids love you, so I’d like to keep that continuity. We could really use your help, Janet.”
“That will work out great for me, Chrissie. I’d love to continue with what I do, too. I’ll do whatever I can to help out your parents, okay?”
“You’re a star, Janet. Thanks. Thanks so much,” Chrissie said and hugged her again. “Let us get you paid so you can get out and enjoy your day.”
Chrissie grabbed her purse and pulled out some bills and handed them to Janet. I walked over and stealthily slid a fifty in her hand, saying, “Thanks. We DO appreciate it, Janet.” She gave me a warm hug and thanked me.
“See you Monday, then,” she grinned, and hugged the kids, then us, again, and made her way out to her car.
“Well,” Chrissie said. “That went well, you think?” Chrissie asked.
“Hmmm, I don’t think much gets by that girl,” I said.
“She’s okay, Tom. Relax. She’s been with me for a few years now. I trust her with my kids so trust her to be discreet, too. If you want, I can have a little girl-to-girl talk sometime, okay?” Chrissie said, reassuringly.
We checked to make sure everything was well with David and Chloe and caught up on what they’d been up to. They wanted to know where we were so Chrissie told them all about the party. They seemed satisfied.
“So, kids, where would you like to go today? Uncle Tom suggested either the beach, the woods for a walk or we could go visit Sue again. What do you think?” she asked them.
Both David and Chloe yelled out, in unison, “Sue! Can we go see Sue?” and our day was set. David helped Chrissie get a little picnic together and I helped Chloe round-up coats. I slid into the bathroom and changed quickly. I took over from Chrissie so she could slip out of her wrinkled dress and get a bit more presentable to the general public.