Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [77]
She already had done that, many times, and he was right about it being a really crummy job. “Or maybe she’ll buy me a new iPod,” Katy argued.
He glared at her, not quite getting it, but realizing it was some kind of an insult.
Katy sighed. “We’ll wait until eight o’clock, and if she hasn’t come home yet, then we’ll finish it. Why don’t you go up to your room and play now.”
“Okay. It’s your head, lady pilgrim.” He got up and charged up the stairs.
His smart mouth didn’t irritate her as much as it had when she’d first started sitting for him, and although she shouldn’t have, she let his sarcastic remark pass without admonishing him. She tried to imagine him raised in her own home and thought of her brothers, how they played hard outside and enjoyed working with her dad. Tyler didn’t know the disadvantage life had given him.
Then her thoughts went to his mother. Tammy was deliberately asking her to do things that went against her beliefs for no good reason other than Tammy’s own inconvenience. Oh, she’d claimed she’d had a workshop to attend on the Saturday of the ballet. But she was just being lazy not to help Tyler with this assignment tonight, especially given her knowledge of Katy’s Mennonite beliefs. As she brooded, she picked up the room, placing Tyler’s backpack on the stairway, a juice can in the recycle bin, and Addison’s princess boots in the hall closet.
“What a day. I’m beat.”
The unexpected comment floated within Katy’s hearing, and she flinched, thinking the television must have drowned out the sound of Tammy’s car. She turned and raised her chin, determining this was the night that she would be more assertive. “Yeah, me, too. Housecleaning’s no breeze.”
“Uh-oh. Somebody’s in a rare mood. The kids acting up or what?”
Once she’d made her mental stand, her frustrations poured out. “I feel manipulated, Tammy. You asked me to help Tyler with his school project when you know I don’t watch television. And you can even replay the show.”
Tammy’s mouth gaped; then she composed her features. “I didn’t know you don’t watch TV. Anyway, I thought I’d get home too late. I knew I’d be beat.”
It was as if Katy had stepped out of her body and the words came from some other source. “Well, I’m tired, too. I’ve cleaned this entire house. And I’m constantly picking up after the children.”
“But this is your job. I pay you. And a high wage.”
She saw that some of Tyler’s attitude came straight from his mother.
“I’ve made more at other places.” Katy shocked herself with that remark and worked quickly to remove the angry glint from Tammy’s eyes. Responding in anger wasn’t God-honoring, even if it felt right. “I’m sorry. That remark was inappropriate. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the work. But the nanny part is not working out. I told you from the start, it isn’t what I enjoy doing. You’ve got to find someone else. I won’t be picking the children up from school on Wednesday, either.” Katy crossed her arms and waited for Tammy’s explosion.
“Excuse me?” Tammy ground out with sarcasm. But Katy didn’t budge. Then Tammy softened her voice. “You can’t back out now. You agreed. I’m working long days so I can be home the other three afternoons.”
Dropping her arms, Katy reasoned, “You’ve always known that I’m a housekeeper, not a nanny. Your kids are great, but the job doesn’t suit me.” She took a step toward the coat closet. “I’m sorry. I quit.”
“Wait! You’re not quitting cleaning, too, are you?”
Katy froze. Bit her bottom lip thoughtfully, “Not if you still want me.”
“Of course I want you.”
If Katy wasn’t losing that part of the job, she’d been a fool not to stand up to the woman earlier. “Great. I’ll be here on Wednesday. To clean,” she clarified, lest Tammy think she was giving in again.
Tammy ran her hands through her hair. She glanced at the stairway and back. “Well, okay. I’ll figure something out.”
Katy felt a twinge of compassion for her employer, imagining the Realtor trying to show a house with two quarrelsome kids in tow. Or maybe she could handle it. Maybe they’d sit in some corner listening to