Recently, he only sees us in the mornings and at night.”
“Maybe,” Isabella said, but she knew it was more. That night, she put Leo to bed and softly tested the waters. “Did you enjoy daycare today?” she said, pulling the blanket to his chin.
Leo smiled. “Yes! I played with Freddie and Patrick.
We built a block castle.”
And Ms. Denise? Do you like her?
“She’s nice. With riddles, she always helps.”
Isabella grinned. So far, so good.
She then leaned in. “What about Mia? Do you like her?
Leo grinned less. The man nodded without emotion. His small lips squeezed together to conceal something.
A mother knows. Isabella held back. She kissed his forehead, said goodbye, and turned out the light.
Her heart hurt with anxiety. She phoned Mia the following morning before opening the restaurant. “Hey, just wanted to touch base,” Isabella said.
Leo’s teacher said he becomes unhappy when picked up. Any clue why?”
“Oh,” Mia said immediately, “He probably misses you guys. This child is sweet.
He’ll adjust to me.”
Maybe. Isabella couldn’t shake the uneasy sensation. She was preoccupied, anxious, and double-checking everything in the kitchen all day.
Marco noticed too. “Let’s follow them,” she resolved. Just once.
Check out what happens after daycare.”
Marco nodded. Let me speak to the floor manager. We leave early tomorrow.”
Next afternoon, Isabella and Marco parked two streets from the daycare and waited.
Mia arrived around 4 p.m. Leo and pals were still constructing towers on the floor. “Five more minutes?” he begged when Mia phoned.
“No. Now,” Mia exclaimed, pulling him up without telling the teachers. Was that needed?
Marco murmured. “Not even late.”
They trailed Mia and Leo for a few car-lengths as they walked the short distance home. Isabella felt sad as they turned into their street.
Leo wasn’t walking with her. His bag bounced and his shoulders slouched as he followed. After reaching the home, Mia entered without looking back.
Leo paused on the porch before entering the yard alone. “She left him outside?” Isabella gasped. They slowed and parked two homes away.
Then they watched incredulously. Leo sat alone with a stick, probing earth. They had no toys, food, or companionship.
Through open slats, Mia saw a mirror inside. She filmed herself doing cosmetics on her phone. She sometimes changed clothes, tossed her hair, and posed.
Never once did she peek outdoors or call Leo. “She has no idea he’s even there,” Isabella muttered. “She doesn’t care,” Marco stated firmly.
Let’s go.”
They left the automobile. Seeing them, Leo lighted up. “Mama!
Papa!”
They hugged him and went inside. Startled, Mia whirled around with lipstick halfway on. The Russos!
I wasn’t expecting your early return…
Marco was efficient. “Pack up. You finish.”
Mia went with her suitcase without saying a word.
Isabella drew Leo close on the sofa. You alright, sweetheart? He nodded sleepily.
Can we read tonight? “Of course,” she muttered. You may read as long as you want.”
Isabella contacted Ms.
Denise to thank her after taking Leo to bed. “You did the right thing,” Isabella said. Wouldn’t have known otherwise.”
“Thank goodness Leo’s parents listen.
I know several professional nannies in town who have worked with kids for years. I’d love to connect.”
Isabella and Marco interviewed two applicants that week and picked Gabriella, a polite, soft-spoken 40-year-old early childhood development veteran. She cost more than Mia.
Isabella didn’t care. Happiness was worth everything for Leo. Gabriella proved her recommendation from day one.
She came early with a bag of books and activities and welcomed Leo warmly. The transformation in Leo was instantaneous. Isabella visited Ms.
Denise weekly. “Any more pickup tears?” she’d ask. “None.
Just grins. He embraces Gabriella whenever she arrives.”
Isabella asked Leo at home. “Do you like Gabriella?” she asked him one night while buttoning his pajamas.
“She’s the best,” Leo smiled. “She played in the sandbox after school. Like Ms.
Denise, but more fun!”
Isabella’s heart grew. Gabriella and Leo entered the restaurant before closing. “I was heading this way and thought I’d drop by,” she remarked kindly.
Marco returned from the kitchen with his apron, cleaning his hands. Leo ran to him. That night, the four of them shared spaghetti and day-to-day anecdotes at a booth.
It became customary. Gabriella and Leo visited Fridays after closure. Like family, they ate together.
Isabella still longed lengthy days with her kid. But knowing he was happy, protected, and loved calmed her. Every night, when she tucked him in and enquired about his day, Leo’s eyes would glitter, confirming they’d made the correct choice.
