The Blood Mate

Nissiah

Today I was losing my child.

“Josh, hon, are you ready? You know how your dad gets if we make him wait.” I went looking for him.

I loved this little boy, but technically I was his nanny even though it very much felt like he was mine. I had been his nanny for the past five years, ever since he was a precious six-year-old clinging to me for love and stability.

His father was having to sell his company. In doing so, they would be moving back to his family’s estate in Italy. Today the final papers were being signed, and from what I understood, they were leaving immediately after. My job was now to deliver Josh to his father so they could get to the airport.

I had cried over this sad state of affairs more than once, but there was nothing I could do, obviously. So, Josh would go on without me, and he’d either get a new nanny, or other members of his family would step in and help out with his care. He’d promised to call me or e-mail me and all of that, and I’d smiled and nodded, but I wasn’t holding my breath.

The truth was, it would be better for both of us if he forgot about me basically. I hoped he would look back on the time I had taken care of him with fond memories, remembering that I loved him, but he needed to move forward, not cling hopelessly to the past and the memories of me. He would find new friends and a new life, and that was exactly how it should be.

The nanny agency that I worked for had already spoken to me about me going back on the books as being available for another assignment. Sometimes assignments were open-ended, as this one had been, and sometimes, they were only temporary.

When I was eighteen and new to the agency, the policy was that new nannies are only assigned temporary assignments. That gets us used to being nannies and helps them evaluate our job performance and see how we react and interact with the children and families. Normally, this trial period type of thing is supposed to last for a whole two years. Mine only lasted for one, and then I was given this amazing little boy into my care and my heart.

His father, Phillip Mercer, was a rather business-minded, no-nonsense kind of man. He and I got along well, but I always thought he was too reserved where his son was concerned. I was hoping that having the rest of the family as a buffer that wouldn’t affect Josh now.

He’d sat me down two weeks ago and explained that he’d been in negotiations with another company to buy him out, as he was having too many financial issues to keep the company going. He was just happy he’d been able to find another larger corporation that was interested in the acquisition.

He worked on some type of software designs, so I guess those had ended up being valuable enough for the other company to show interest. I was glad that he was able to sell. I couldn’t even imagine what he was feeling seeing the company he created now being sold to someone else. It had to be devastating to watch what you built from the ground up be handed over to someone else.

Josh finally came downstairs. He’s pouting; he’s been pouting for the last two weeks, since his father informed him of what was happening. He’s lamenting losing me, going to Italy where he knows no one, he doesn’t know the language, and he’s not familiar with anything. He hates leaving his friends and his house. His father has been quite put out with him lately. I’ve tried to be a buffer, but as of today, I can no longer occupy that role.

“I’m here.” He grumbles, and I have to smile slightly.

I look at him and pull him in for a tight hug. “I know you are upset and don’t like this. I’m just thinking there will be lots of new adventures for you to go on, and you’ll meet lots of new friends. You’ll learn the language, because you are super smart, and you will get to know your family. So, I think in the end it will be a good thing.” He just sighs.

“I wish you could come with us.” I shake my head.

“I know, buddy, but I’m not in the position to move to another country. So, it’s better if you either get a new nanny when you get there, or your family spends time with you. If you get an Italian nanny, she can teach you the language.” He reluctantly nods, and we head out.

We get situated in my car, and we head to the company's offices downtown, where his father is meeting with the buyers, signing the contracts, and then leaving with his son.

Then, I’ll go to the tiny studio apartment I just rented a few days ago and start getting moved in. There are still a ton of things I need that I haven’t had the time or money to really get. I will need to make do on my savings until another job opens up. My agency has assured me that they will be able to place me very quickly, and I’m counting on it.

What no one knows is that I am helping to support my mother and two younger siblings. After a life of drug abuse, she had finally gotten clean when she got pregnant with Maya and Michael seven years ago. Shortly after that, my stepfather had died of a heart attack, and good riddance, in my opinion. I had just gotten old enough and far enough in my high school education to be able to drop out and get my GED. That allowed me to start working full time to help support my family.

After a year of waiting tables, a neighbor had suggested the nanny agency. So, I jumped on it and was immediately accepted for a trial period. It seemed things were going well; Mom was working, the kids were great, and I had enough of a salary, even from the temporary assignments to be able to help.

Then Mom got sick. I was able to stepp up my financial support and help get her on some trial medications when I got the position caring for Josh. Now, finally, she had just gotten the all-clear that her cancer was in remission. We were celebrating. She was still trying to get on her feet, so it wasn't the best time for me to no longer have that steady income.

I had some savings, but I was relieved to hear they would be able to place me quickly. My family really needed me, and I adored my brother and sister. My mom and I had been working on patching up our relationship after so many years of her drug abuse and neglect. We were making progress on that front as well.