I have two best friends—Patrick and Freddy—and Mrs. Deborah is super nice!”
Sandra smiled but asked another question. “And what about Anthea?
Do you like her?”
Matteo gave a small, hesitant nod, but his face didn’t light up this time. Sandra’s motherly instincts were instantly on alert. She suspected he wasn’t being honest.
The next morning, Sandra called Anthea before work. “Mrs. Deborah says Matteo cries when you pick him up,” she said.
“Is something wrong?”
Anthea responded casually, “Oh, he just misses you guys, I’m sure. He’ll get used to me.”
But something still didn’t feel right to Sandra, and Andrew noticed her unease all day. They agreed to follow Anthea and Matteo after daycare the next day, just to see for themselves.
So, when the time came, they quietly waited nearby as Anthea arrived at the daycare. Matteo was still playing with his friends when she picked him up. “Just five more minutes, please?” Matteo begged.
“No,” Anthea snapped. “We’re leaving now.”
Andrew, watching from a distance, muttered, “That wasn’t necessary. It’s not even late.”
They decided to follow her car back to the house.
From two doors away, they spotted Matteo playing alone in the front yard. Curious and concerned, they pulled closer. Peering into the window, they saw Anthea inside—not with Matteo, but recording herself while doing her makeup and trying on outfits.
She paid no attention to the boy outside. She hadn’t even offered him food.
Sandra gasped. “She doesn’t even know he’s out there.
He looks so sad.”
They immediately got out of the car, greeted Matteo with warm hugs, and entered the house. Anthea was clearly startled to see them. She fumbled for words, but Andrew didn’t let her finish—he fired her on the spot.
That evening, Sandra called Mrs. Deborah to thank her for the heads-up. “You should’ve asked me first,” the teacher said kindly.
“I know a few amazing nannies in town. I’d be happy to recommend someone.”
Within days, Sandra and Andrew hired a professional nanny named Gabriella. Though she came at a higher cost, Sandra didn’t care.
Her son’s safety and happiness came first. She even began checking in with Mrs. Deborah weekly, just to be sure.
Sandra also made a habit of asking Matteo directly. “How’s Gabriella?” she asked one evening. Matteo’s eyes sparkled.
“She’s the best! We even played in the sandbox together after school. She’s just like Mrs.
Deborah!”
One evening, Gabriella stopped by the restaurant with Matteo just before closing time—it was on her route home. That spontaneous visit turned into a treasured new tradition: the four of them sharing dinner together after hours. And just like that, Sandra knew everything was finally in the right hands.
