“Have you got another job lined up?” she asked before I finished speaking. Why did she bother asking me questions if she wasn’t going to listen to the answer?
“No,” I said, hesitating. I already knew what she was going to say, so I braced myself for her reaction. “I’m taking a break from working.”
“A break? What do ya mean a break?”
“Yes, a break. I need to clear my head before starting another job.”
She made a dismissive snort on the other end. Why the hell did I pick up the phone? Even from ten thousand miles, away she was mothering me. I should have turned my phone off. But Sierra wouldn’t appreciate a phone call this early in the morning. Mom had insisted I have an emergency contact in case I didn’t pick up the phone. Sierra had agreed to be that person, but I never let it get that far. I didn’t want to torture my friend with any of my mom’s accusations.
“What do ya need that for?” she asked.
“A break? I don’t know, Mom, maybe because I worked my butt off for two years. What’s wrong with taking some time off?”
“You need to keep earning money, love. You’re going to get lazy.”
I groaned. “I’m not going to get lazy. I’ve already found a few positions I’m interested in. I’ll contact them in a few days, all right?”
“No need for the talkback, love. I’m just trying to help keep you grounded.”
I dug my fingers into my temples. God, I wished this headache would go away. “I know.”
“You know you’re always welcome to move back home. There isn’t as much hustle and bustle as America, but I would love to see you every day.”
I had no desire to move back home with her. Not in a million years. The dull ache settled into the front of my head. And I knew it wasn’t just the hangover. She had a way of doing this to me.
“Tell me about your week,” I said, moving the subject away from me.
After the conversation with Mom, I got out of bed, took two aspirin, and washed it down with two glasses of water. I rarely drank that much, but I knew dehydration was about to settle in and I wanted to have a productive Sunday. Especially after the conversation with her. Bright and early next Sunday morning she was going to call and ask about the job hunt.
So much for my break. I could inform the prospective families that I had a particular start date in mind, but most long-term nanny positions were looking for their chosen candidate to start right away.
At least I had today to myself, and I would make the best of it.
After showering and changing, I went back to the computer and continued my job search. I had read a few listings before my phone rang.
Sierra’s face lit up the screen. I pressed the DECLINE button and went back to my job search. I didn’t want any distractions. Besides, she was working today. The Baker brothers would be happy I didn’t take up their employee’s time. She probably wanted to talk my ear off about the concert. I would stop by later and talk to her, once I felt better.
Later that afternoon, I gave myself a break from staring at the computer screen. I’d updated my resume and sent it off for five different positions. I wasn’t thrilled about any of them, but any job would pale in comparison to being with Ricky all day. The interview would be the deal breaker. Getting along with the child was paramount for me, and I wouldn’t mind going on a bunch of interviews to find the next kid.
I hoped that would appease Mom for a little while, though I doubted it the moment the thought came into my mind. I never told her how much I made, but for me to be able to have my own apartment and pay all my bills should have been enough for her. I supposed she thought that if I couldn’t afford a plane ticket back to Australia, then I didn’t make enough. Little did she know it was more my apprehension about going back home that kept me rooted in St. Paul than my bank account.
My stomach growled, needing sustenance. I packed up my laptop and notes and shoved them to the back of the table. I’d come back to all that tomorrow. I decided to get food and visit Sierra to find out what she called about earlier.
When I arrived at the record shop, Sierra had a line of two customers in front of her. She rolled her eyes, and they clearly saw her. I stifled a laugh and went to the back of the store and browsed through some records. I had no interest in the older music, but I enjoyed looking at the beautiful cover art.
A few minutes later, Sierra joined me.
She hugged me. “What’s up, girlfriend? How come you ignored my call earlier?”
She had a way of getting right to the root of a conversation. “I wasn’t ignoring you. I was busy.”
“Busy with what? Or should I say whom?” She leaned forward conspiratorially.
I whirled on her. “What are you talking about?”
“Sorry I bailed on you last night, but I figured since your night was free, you might have checked out that dating app I put on your phone.”
“First of all, I’ve never used that app. And second, you know I haven’t found a man worth my time since moving here,” I said. I’d dated a lot when I first moved out here, but I’d placed myself on a year-long hiatus. Most guys my age wanted one-night stands, and that wasn’t for me. Sierra didn’t seem to mind that way of life, but I certainly did.