I pat my hair down and adjust my clothing, feeling somewhat self-conscious in his presence. I then give him a sideways glance that suggests an explanation for his early morning visit.
“I was recording last night with the guys and Casen said Liv left her favorite stuffed animal at their house. I volunteered to bring it over,” he says nervously as he offers her elephant to me and moves further into the house. “So you’re late for work, huh?” he asks, leaving me behind.
“Ugh, yes,” I groan, throwing the stuffed animal on the couch and following him. “I still have to get Liv to Vivian’s house. She’s staying over there tonight since I have a meeting after work with the county about adopting Leah.”
“If you want, I can watch her and drop her off at Vivian’s house later,” he suggests nonchalantly with a shrug.
I stop suddenly, contemplating his offer. “Have you ever even been around kids all by yourself?” I ask, dumbfounded that he would even offer.
He turns to look at me, a confused expression smeared across his face. “Seriously?” he asks. “I love kids. I have about a million nieces and nephews that I babysit all the time.
“You do?” I say, stunned that he is that involved with his family.
“Yeah, apparently my sisters are competing for the steel vagina award or something. I swear, as soon as one announces they’re pregnant, another pipes up and tries to steal her thunder with a similar announcement. We are a family of one-uppers.”
“Wow, lots of warm and fuzzies. I bet Christmases are super special,” I tease.
“Really, though, I don’t have anything going on today. I would be happy to help.”
I look down at my watch and bite my lip as we walk into the kitchen. I don’t look up until I hear Royce chuckling next to me.
“Oh, my God,” I gasp as I stare down at my child who is supposed to be ready to walk out the door. Instead of her shoes and jacket on, she’s standing in the middle of the kitchen with her favorite Disney princess dress and tiara on drinking from the maple syrup bottle. When she notices us, she hides the bottle behind her back and smiles a goopy grin at us.
Royce wipes the smile from his face and slowly approaches her. “You know what’s cool about being a grown up, little miss?” he asks as he takes the bottle from her hands and sits down cross-legged next to her. She immediately feels at ease and takes a place next to him on the kitchen floor as she shakes her head.
I tilt my head in awe of what I’m witnessing, my little girl and this tough rocker bonding over maple syrup.
He leans in like he has a secret, and she leans in to hear it. “You don’t have to hide the bottle from anyone,” he tells her with a smile before taking a big chug of the syrup.
They both giggle at his playfulness, while I nearly throw up. “I can’t believe you just did that!” I say incredulously. “Not even taking into account how unsanitary that was, it was just, well, gross,” I add with a body shiver.
They both laugh even more at my obvious discomfort. “Go. I’ll take care of her. I’ll even swing back by this evening and bring dinner and a movie over.”
I look back and forth between the two of them and then down at my watch. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely! We’ll make pancakes and have a princess rock concert before we go. Just leave me a car seat, please.”
“Pancakes,” Olivia squeals. “I need a fok n’ knife,” she adds, entirely leaving out the r in fork.
“Dear God, did she just say fucking knife?” he asks with a snort. “I’m not a parent, but I’m pretty sure a four-year-old with a potty mouth is frowned upon in most social circles.”
“She’s a little Dutchy,” I defend. “Those R’s get left out a lot. She is saying she needs a fork and knife.”
He holds up his hand for Liv to high-five and smiles at her. “Either way, you’re one kickass little munchkin. Let’s get our pancake on.” My heart melts a little watching the two interact together. Royce barely knows me, let alone my daughter, yet here he is stepping in to play babysitter. I’m appreciative and impressed all in one.
Liv hops up to give me a hug. “Bye, Momma,” she says, wrapping her sticky hands around my legs. I reach down and kiss the top of her head before she runs back to Royce.
Royce looks to me and throws his hand up in surrender. “Bye, Mom,” he chuckles and waves.
I exhale loudly. “Okay, but please be safe.”
I turn my attention to Olivia who has found herself enamored by this tatted man on our kitchen hardwood. “Liv, this is Mommy’s friend Royce. He’s going to take you over to Grace and Emma’s house,” I tell her, bending down to her eye level to get her full attention. “Is that okay with you?” I ask, hoping it works out because I now have fifteen minute to get to work and it would take at least that to get to Vivian’s. Royce is actually a lifesaver showing up here this morning, even if it was unexpected.
“You bet, Mom. I’m gonna be a rock chick!” she exclaims.
I roll my eyes and Royce laughs. “You,” I say pointing my finger at him. “Don’t corrupt my child in the brief time she’s in your care.”
“What!” he feigns insult. “I’m the coolest person she’ll ever meet. Anything I do will only catapult her awesome rocker status at preschool next year.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I add with a hint of smile.
“Aren’t you late?” he asks, tapping his thick buckle watch.
“Oh cheese and crackers, yes,” I huff, standing to grab my purse off the kitchen counter. “I’ll call Vivian and let her know the slight change in plan. Have a good day you guys. Love you, Liv.”
I hear her shout her goodbyes and love back to me as I race into the living room and out the front door. Echoes of giggling and snorting noises reverberate through the house as I close the door shut and sprint to my car.
I turn the key in the ignition and take one last look at the house. “I must be crazy,” I mumble shaking my head before putting the car into reverse and heading to work.
Royce
Olivia proved to be quite the handful, but in the best way. We had so much fun, but between breakfast, dress-up, our mini rock concert, and a few art projects, together we completely destroyed Carly’s house. I had to take Liv to the Ryans’ house just so I could get the place cleaned up before Carly came home and saw the mess. She would flip, and I would lose any future chance I might get at hanging out with her.
I framed the pictures Liv drew her and put them on the kitchen table, vacuumed, and dusted…the whole nine yards. Once late afternoon hit, I rushed out to get dinner and a few movies, as well as movie snacks, since I didn’t know what time she would be home. I figure I would rather be here sooner rather than later.
Spreading the Chinese food takeout boxes across the table, I lay out two plates for the two of us. I don’t know what she likes, or even if she likes Chinese food at all, but I went with it. I mean, who doesn’t like it? Besides, I ordered just about everything on the menu, so she would have a few options.
Just as I place the movies and candy on the kitchen counter, the doorbell rings and I freeze. For a solid minute, I have a mental debate on whether or not to answer the freaking door. It could be Vivian needing something for Liv. I’ve technically overstayed my invitation, so it could just as easily be some nosey neighbor checking on the creepy-looking guy prowling the house.
“Oh fuck it, Grandma down the street can call the police if she doesn’t like me,” I say to myself, dropping everything and heading to the front door.