“So do I need to clean the house? I can—”
“No, I’m paying for my daughter to have your undivided attention. I could put her in daycare, but she wouldn’t get the one-on-one time or the enrichment of having a dedicated caregiver only responsible for her. She’ll have swimming lessons in town twice a week, and there are certain things I want her to do.”
“You have a schedule?” I asked.
“We do,” he answered. “We go to the library every week. If you would do that and try to go when it’s story time because she likes that. Go to the park once a week. Things like that.”
“Oh. I just had this vision of having to blow a whistle and make her do calisthenics or something. I can take her on outings then, go feed the ducks and stuff, right?”
“Yes, I have an extra booster seat for your car, and I’ll need a copy of your license and your insurance.”
“Not a problem. What about restrictions? What don’t you want me to do?” I asked.
“No smoking or drinking while you’re on duty, no illicit drugs. Don’t let her juggle knives or get a tattoo” he grinned, and I grinned back. “This is probably a conversation for when we have more time. Could you come over to the cabin, have dinner with us tomorrow night around six? We can discuss the ins and outs then.”
I nodded, “I’ll be there. Can I bring anything?”
“Pie. Definitely pie.”
“Will do. See you then,” I said, “It’s going to be a great summer.”
“I hope so,” he said.
I was beaming, my face aching from smiling when he left. I had the job at a higher rate of pay than expected, and I’d be able to scrape together the rest of my down payment for the diner. I went and called Hugh, who was at home.
“All I need is the summer,” I said. “And I’ll have the down payment.”
“I can do that,” he said with a sigh. “Sooner if you can.”
“I’m going to the bank to start paperwork this week. I know it’s a process, and I want to have everything in place by the end of August,” I said, buoyant with excitement.
“How did you manage that so quickly?” he said.
“I’m going to adjust the schedule this summer so the college kids get day shift which they prefer, while I take on another job to earn enough to buy this place. Then I’ll do nights and weekends and the management duties as usual. I mean, obviously, if it’s okay with you.”
“If you can get the new waitresses trained up in the next two weeks, it’s fine with me.”
“Thank you! I’ve already got them off to a good start, and I’ll make lots of notes for the day shift leader. This is going to work,” I said.
I got back to work and hustled cheerfully, all the while thinking of how great this was going to be. First of all, I’d have this relaxing, fun summer with Sadie and get paid for it. Then I’d work at the diner, which I loved, and all of it would get me to my goal in time. I’d be a business owner, have my own place with my own rules at last.
All day I thought about the changes I was going to make and how fantastic this was going to be. After work, I went over to Laura’s to tell her. I gave Brenna a squeeze and sniffed her sweet smelling baby shampoo hair as she scampered off for Brody to read her a story.
“So what’s the news?” she said, “you sounded pretty manic on the phone.”
“I got the babysitting job. It’s insanely good pay, enough to get the rest of the diner down payment ready by the end of August.” I squealed. Laura hugged me fiercely.
“I am so happy for you. You deserve this, babe. And if there’s anything I can do, if you need anything, I’m here for it.”
“I know you are, thank you. I just—I’m so thrilled. Hugh even was fine with me changing my shifts and making the schedule work.”
“Because he wants you to have the place. You know how much he hates change. I mean look at what you have to wear.”
“Hey, I got him to ditch the headbands with the bows on them,” I said. “Slow progress is still progress. But you’re right. I expected him to make more of a fuss about anything being different. He’s told me all along he wants me to get the diner, so I guess that’s why he’s willing to let me do it how I need to.
“And it’s not like you’re slacking off. You’re going to have that place running like clockwork while you’re gone. He really has no reason to complain.”
“Thanks for that,” I said. “I’m going to Max’s for dinner tomorrow night to talk over the terms of the job and spend some time with Sadie.”