The Nanny

Chapter 4

“I'm so glad for you!” Lucy, my current boss engulfs me in a hug. I just told her that I found a new job. When she allows me to breathe again, I tell her all about the job I got with the Andersons. She is probably the closest friend I have, so it is nice to just talk to someone about everything. I was worried that it will be a problem for me to leave on such short notice, but Lucy assures me it is no problem at all. She also offers to give me the entire month's pay - 'to make up for my sacrifice' as she puts it - and on top of that, she is giving each of her employees a bonus as a thank you. It seems like I might be able to buy me and Andrew some new clothes at the end of the month. We'll definitely need them if we are going to live with the Andersons.

The rest of the week goes by in a flash. I talked to my dad on Monday when I got home from work. He was mad at me for leaving him alone, but he was too drunk to really grasp what was going on. That is probably why I am currently in a heated argument with him. He claims that I never told him that I would be living with the Andersons. Now he refuses to let me into my room, to gather the last of my things. Blake will be here any moment to pick me and Andrew up and now my father has Andrew and all our bags locked in our room. Andrew is crying on the other side of the door, his sobs filling the apartment, while I try to get past my dad to our room. Luckily, I've already found the key, so I just need to get to the door. My dad hid the key in the fridge. The fridge of all places! Guess that is the plus side if you can call it that, of drunks, they aren't very smart.

“Dad get out of the way!” I shout. I'm past being nice. I'm so sick of his selfish behavior! He wants me to work a full-time job, raise Andrew, pay for everything, look after him, clean, cook, everything. But he doesn't lift a single finger! Not ONE! And now that things are looking a little bit up for me, he refuses to let me go.

“No! If you don't stay here, who is going to make me food? You are not leaving!” he shouts and shoves me away from the door.

“Dad I'm leaving! Whether you like it or not! If I don't leave, there won't be any money. Meaning you won't get any booze! Get out of the way!” I yell back, trying to push past him to the door.

“You are not leaving. You're going to find another way to get money, Delia! But you are not leaving!” once again I am shoved away. This time I hit my back against the wall. I wince in pain but try to pass him again.

“Dad, I can't find another job! This is the only one that pays enough! Get out of my way!” I try to shove him again, but unfortunately, that only makes things worse. He doesn't budge; not even a little. Next thing I know, his fist connects with my face. I fall to the ground and just as I hear the doorbell ring, everything goes black.

~Blake’s POV~

"Blake?” I hear my mom's voice over the phone, “Will you please pick up some bread and milk from the store, on your way to get Delia?” she asks me.

“Sure thing, Mom! See you later,” I reply with a smile. I love my mom to bits! She raised me and even though I'm a grown man she still gives me advice. Advice that I take very seriously.

After saying goodbye to my mom, I start thinking about Delia! Why can't I stop thinking about her? I mean, I can have any girl I want! Why am I interested in her? The other day at the library, I must admit that I stared at that great ass of hers before I went to get Sophie. Her checking me out didn't help either. She just fueled my interest when she stood up for herself, which is a rare quality in women who find me attractive. It's not every day that you see a beautiful girl, that small take a stand against a guy like me. She looked so determined and mad when I made the parent-comment; I just couldn't help but laugh when she made the same mistake as me. I didn't even realize I was laughing until Meredith came up to us.

After paying for the bread and milk, I head to her apartment. When I dropped them off here, last Sunday, I was quite shocked that she lived in this part of town. I knew her circumstances were bad, but I didn't know it was that bad! I almost lost it when she told me she didn't have a car, and that she walks everywhere most of the time. It is not safe for a girl like her to walk around these parts alone. She assured me that it was fine and that she didn't feel threatened. She was just worried about her little brother. I understand that she worries about him, but she shouldn't neglect herself for his sake. I park my car in front of the apartment building and walk up to their apartment. I insisted to come up and help with their bags when I dropped them last time. I quickly ring the doorbell, desperate to get out of this place. I'm not afraid, but there is this eerie feeling, warning you against the dark characters that lurk inside some of the apartments.

“What do you want!” that is just lovely. Instead of Delia's hazel eyes, I am met by an old drunken guy, and he looks pissed. I assume he is Delia's father. I knew he was a drunk, but he looks much worse than I expected.

“I'm here to pick up Delia,” I look over his shoulder into the house, “Is she here?”

“Who are you?” this guy is really getting on my nerves; I don't like his tone.

“My name is Blake. Is Delia here?”

“No!” he spits.

Just as he is about to close the door I hear Andrew's voice, “Blake! Help us!” he sounds distressed and like he's been crying. This strikes a nerve within me. If Andrew is crying that means Delia can't comfort him, meaning something happened to her! I stop the door from closing and enter the apartment forcefully. Delia's father tries to stop me, but I shove him into the wall, my tall frame towering over him.

“Where is she?” I ask. Something is wrong, why would Andrew ask me to help them? He wouldn't shout that if something wasn't seriously wrong. The drunk is clearly frightened by me. I don't think anyone has ever really stood up to him like this, so this must be a shock to him. When he doesn't answer me, I lose my temper, “Tell me where she is!” I shove him harder into the wall. He motions with his eyes toward the hallway and I quickly make my way there.

Shit! I run up to Delia's unconscious body in the hallway and quickly check for a pulse. She is alive, thank god. I can hear Andrew sobbing on the other side of the door. I try to open the door but it is locked. Damn it!

“Where is it? Where is the f*****g key?” I quickly walk up to Delia's dad, who already has a bottle of whiskey in his hand, not bothered by a stranger walking around his apartment. Does he not care, that his daughter is unconscious? Probably not, because he probably did it. The f*****g bastard!

“I don't know! Delia has it!” I run to Delia and quickly search for the key. I find it in her pants' pocket. I quickly unlock the door. Andrew runs into my arms but when he sees Delia he runs to her!

“No, Dee! You can't leave me! Wake up, Dee!” Andrew is shaking Delia's body frantically. I don't know what happened, but I hate her father for hurting her. Judging by the swollen part on her temple, he clearly hit her head with something.

“Andrew, she'll be okay, but we have to leave. Are your bags packed?” he nods his head and points to the room. I look into the room. I'll have to come back for the bags. I bend to pick up Delia and Andrew quickly follows me. He holds onto my jacket, making it difficult for me to walk.

“Andrew, get in front of me,” I say as we reach the door. He quickly steps in front of me. I direct him through the building, telling him where to go. I'm so glad Delia gave me directions to get to their apartment. If she hadn't I would never have found them. Once we reach my car, I place Delia on the back seat. After I put Andrew in the front and locked them in the car, I run back to the apartment to get their bags.

“You won't get away with this! You can't just take my children away from me!” the drunk shouts at me. It takes all my willpower not to beat him to a pulp! He wasn't bothered by his daughter's unconscious body or his son's crying, but now that someone is trying to help them, he is possessive. He'll be lucky if I ever allow him to see them again.

“Shut up! You caused this. They deserve better than this!”

“And you are going to give them better? My slut of a daughter won't stay with you! Soon enough she'll have a new rich boy to play with!” he spits in my face. How can a father talk about his own daughter like that? I know Delia is not a slut! I could see it clear as day the first time I saw her at the library. Her clothing, her attitude everything told me she was modest. I knew Andrew was not her child; but I just wanted to have some fun with her, see how she reacts. I am about to tell this man exactly what I think about him, but I stop myself, reminding myself that I have to get Delia to a hospital! I run into their room and get the bags. By the time I get back to the car, Andrew has stopped sobbing. He is holding Delia's hand while silent tears run down his cheeks. I quickly call my mom and tell her what happened. Not that I really know what happened, all I know is Delia is unconscious. I told her that I'm taking Delia to the hospital. She agreed to meet me there with the girls.

***

When my mom arrives at the hospital, Andrew runs into her arms and starts to cry again. I'm glad she's here because I'm not really good with kids. Especially if they cry. I sit on a chair fidgeting with my phone. Why hasn't Delia woken up yet? I keep thinking about what might have happened if I didn't show up in time. What if she doesn't wake up at all? Then what will happen? Andrew will be alone. He will either be hurt by their father or he'll end up in foster care. We won't have a nanny! And Delia… she'll never get to live her dream.

No Blake, calm down! She will wake up. She will wake up. I continued to repeat this to myself. Over and over again, for another hour, until the nurse comes and tells us that Delia is awake.

Thank goodness!