Free Lost and Found by Jennifer Bryan Yarbrough Page A

enjoy myself and it was the first day in a very long time that I've actually laughed and didn't feel guilty about it, so that's saying something. Oh, and I actually got a job offer last night." Oh, why did I tell her that? Now I'm going to have to tell her what it is. I was just trying to change the subject. Why did I go there?
    "Oh, honey. That's great! What kind of job offer? No matter what it is, I know you'll do great!" I could hear the excitement in her voice.”
    “It was a job offer to be a nanny, but I'm not going to take it, Mom. I just can't handle being around kids. I don't think it would be a good idea." I cringe every time I drive by a park where kids are playing. I would take the kids after school once a week to the little park in town, and I would take snacks and drinks along. It was always our favorite day of the week. The boys would always tease each other about certain girls that they liked and Jenna would beg me to push her in the swing the whole time, because it was her favorite thing to do.
    "Well, I can see why you are hesitant, but Olivia... You were always good with children, even before you had your own. You pretty much ran your own daycare every summer when you were in high school and if I remember correctly you made some pretty good money doing it." I did enjoy doing it and I paid cash for my first car with that money. I was really proud of that car, because I worked really hard to pay for it and it was an accomplishment to say that it was mine and not given to me, like all of my other class mates, who just had things given to them without ever having to work for it.
    "Money isn't really the problem, Mom. Granted, I would be paid a lot, and I mean a lot of money doing it, but we both know I don't need the money and this wouldn’t be like working in a daycare. This would be spending time with them twenty four seven, through the week and off on the weekends. I would get attached, I know, and what if it didn't work out? I can't see myself working for the children's father. He's kind of a jerk and doesn't spend any time with them, as far as I could tell and I would be their substitute mother in a way, because their mother is dead." That's the reason I'm so scared to do it. My heart already goes out to them and I haven't even met them.
    "Oh, sweetie. That just breaks my heart for those babies, maybe you could reconsider. Try it for a couple of weeks and see how you feel about it maybe?" This thought had crossed my mind, because I'm realizing that getting a job would get me out of the house and not dwelling on the past so much, but I'm more interested in an office job of some sort, not being a full time Nanny.
    "I don't know, Mom. Claudia and I discussed me applying for the file clerk position at the firm where she works. I think that would probably be the best thing to do."
    "Olivia, I don't care what job you get, I just want you to be happy again, sweetie. I'm just glad you're thinking about it." I could tell that she was smiling. "Oh, I need to go. I have your dad planting some trees outside and he is putting one where I told him NOT to put it!" Oh, my poor father, haha...
    "Poor Dad. Go easy on him, you slave driver! Haha... Mom, you ought to think about being a prison warden. Haha." I bet she tells Dad what I said and he's going to flip out, thinking I ratted him out, which will end up making him rat himself out. Just the thought had me laughing my head off.
    "Slave driver? Do you know how long it has taken me to get him to work on the stuff I've wanted done to the house? Months! You let me know what you decide to do. I love you, sweetheart."
    "I love you too, Mom. Talk to you later, bye." I'm glad we ended the conversation better than it started. I hear the front door open and Claudia coming in and it sounds like she has groceries with her. I'm not sure if I should go help, or go back to sleep and not face the music. Oh, who am I kidding? I might as well go face the