Jacqui was about to reply, but the girl kept talking. "And I hope you don't mind, but my doctor says I have a back problem and I really can't sleep on the bunk bed. Is that all right?" The tiny girl batted her eyes and left Jacqui momentarily flabbergasted. She was supposed to be the senior au pair here, yet with one breath, Shannon had taken the best benefits of the room.
Jacqui didn't trust herself to reply; she was still tipsy from the margaritas and sour from the misunderstanding she'd left uncorrected. Instead, she started to pull out the drawers so she could fold her clothes more neatly, thinking of a plan.
101
An hour later, as they prepared the children's dinner, Jacqui told Shannon about how important the summer was going to be for them. It was certainly going to be an important one for Jacqui because if she was going to spend a fifth year in high school, she would need Anna to hire her for another full year.
"I just want to warn you, the first year I was here, we found out Anna fired the original au pairs before we even arrived. So we can't really slack off. It's not a total party, okay?" Jacqui said. "And the Perry kids can be a little difficult, especially Madison. We have to keep our eye on the basket all the time." Jacqui meant to say "eye on the ball," but she still mixed up her metaphors when she was flustered.
Shannon nodded as she cut up the carrots. "Oh, of course," she said effusively. "I'm really not worried, though. Kids love me."
Jacqui remained silent as she put the pasta pot on the stove to boil, a small smile on her face. With the Perry kids, Shannon had no idea what she was in for. . . .
At dinner, she introduced Shannon to the children. "Everyone, this is Shannon Shin. She's going to help me take care of you this summer."
Shannon got down on her knees and put her face right in front of Zoe's. She affected a high-pitched voice as she asked, "Hewow, Zoey. How are weed too-die?"
Zoe stared back at her balefully. "I'm well, thank you," she said in a clear voice.
102
Cody screamed when Shannon tried to embrace him and refused to leave Jacqui's side. "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" he kept saying, shaking his head at Shannon.
Feeling flummoxed, Shannon tried to befriend the older children. "Hi, I'm Shannon, and Jacqui tells me you're . . . Bill?" she asked, offering a hand to William.
William was rendered practically mute, and his face turned beet red when Shannon spoke to him. He stared at his plate and immediately stuffed his mouth with a spoonful of fettuccine.
Jacqui bit back a laugh. Just as she'd thought, the kids weren't going to be won over that easily. She even felt a little proud of them. She had earned their trust and love through hard work and dedication, and Shannon would have to do the same.
But there was still one more kid at the table. Madison Perry sat in front of a plateful of wilted lettuce leaves that she kept moving around with her fork.
Jacqui nudged Madison to eat, but instead of doing as Jacqui asked, Madison merely glared at Shannon. "Who's that? And what is she doing here?" she asked Jacqui.
"She's the new au pair," Jacqui explained. "Be nice."
Shannon came over to sit next to Madison. "Ooh, you have a TechnoMarine!" she gushed, motioning to Madison's diamond-encrusted pink watch.
"Uh-huh," Madison allowed, holding up her wrist so Shannon could examine it more closely. "My dad bought it at a fund-raiser.
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It used to be Paris Hilton's. It comes with five different straps. My favorite's the pink alligator."
"That is so cool," she said. "I've always wanted one. I'm Shannon. You're Madison, right? I love your hair. Do you get it straightened? I'm can't wait to grow mine out so I can get it done too.
Madison beamed. The two of them bent their heads together, admiring Madison's watch. "You're twelve? You look older, so mature. I just turned fifteen," Shannon said. "We're practically like sisters!"
With one flattering compliment after another, soon Madison and Shannon were chatting just like two old friends. As Jacqui helped Cody cut his carrots, she couldn't help feeling a bit cheated.
104
eliza puts out an APB on a dress
THE PHONE WAS RINGING. N OW-I-AIN'T-SAYIN'-SHE-A-GOLD-digger-but-she-ain't-messin'-wit'-no-broke- . . . Eliza opened one eye. Jeremy groaned. She reached over his chest and rummaged on her bedside drawer for her cell.
"Uhloo?" she said while Jeremy buried his head underneath her pillow.
"Hmpprff," Jeremy complained.