Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
That question gets me out of my chair, juggling balls still in hand. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the Finn family recently suffered a shock, after two members of their family were nearly lost in a fire. The same fire they were hard at work attempting to put out. One of those heroes, Noah Finn, has been through multiple surgeries and is still recovering from the excessive damage done to his body.”
She uncrosses her legs, her smile fading. “My readers have all been praying for his full recovery.”
I lean on the desk, making sure to hold her gaze. “So has his family, a few of whom I happen to know. Even in the hospital, struggling for his life, Noah’s concerns were centered around his child. We flew out one of our most successful and accredited caregivers to help with young Zachary so he wouldn’t be forced to leave his father’s side during the long recovery process. Mrs. Finn, as well as the rest of her family, was appreciative of our company’s efforts and believed we would bring both jobs and necessary services into her husband’s district. I happen to agree with her.”
The rest of my reasons for moving here are not anything I’d be willing to share with the reporter I’m starting to believe is working on more of a gotcha article than the home-and-gardens puff pieces she’s normally known for.
It’s not helping with my stress levels. Which, incidentally, is one of those reasons I’m not telling her about. According to my doctor, I have minor anxiety and a borderline blood pressure issue. My partner and my foster mother were both adamant that the diagnosis meant I needed a change. A fresh start away from my “hub” and disappointing love life so I can learn how to relax. Or something.
It’s not as if I don’t know how to do it. I juggle and I have a trampoline in my office. Does that strike you as someone who doesn’t know how to have fun? I’m Mr. Fun.
Despite their best efforts to snap me out of my micro-managing tendencies with a prescription of R&R, the office here was nonnegotiable for me, which means so is this interview.
I have to be involved with the initial phases at the very least. And even though most of our meetings, scheduling and communications are now online, this is a new market. Parents need to be able to look us in the eye to assure themselves we’re a real agency with real people that they can entrust with their children. Framed degrees and certifications are a must. Especially if they’ve been professionally matted.
The trampoline, and the bouncy castle that hasn’t arrived yet, are both for me. Because really, what’s more relaxing than a good bounce?
I might have some issues.
She doesn’t look too happy with my answer, but she’s also not ready to give up on her line of questioning. “What you’ve done for Noah Finn is laudable, and in line with the generosity and kindness your previous clients have continuously praised you for. Parents love you and your services, Mr. Redmond. And you’ve managed something others in the childcare industry have thus far been unable to with any equivalent success, with regards to gender equality in your hiring.”
“Is there a question in there, Leona?” There is. And I have a feeling I’m not going to like it.
She cuts to the chase. “You do have a large number of male nannies in your employ, comparatively speaking. It’s one of the reasons you’re considered newsworthy. As a gimmick, it’s effective, but statistically, I think you’ll agree parents feel more comfortable leaving their children alone with a female caregiver. What’s your response to any of my readers who might be wondering if you’re catering to a specific, shall we say, single mother clientele? Are you at all worried about a Mannygate scenario?”
Fuck off is my first, unspoken response. While I admit to having a few issues, I am fantastic at my job. It is personal to me. Unlike most of my brothers, I remember my biological father. I also know what it’s like to be given, even temporarily, to the wrong people.
This makes me uniquely qualified for talent scouting. I actively seek out and hire only the most well-vetted, thoroughly qualified and utterly committed caregivers to work at J&T. Finding the right people to protect and educate our clients’ children is not a gimmick for me. It’s the goal.
“I suppose my answer would be that while I applaud and even encourage skepticism when it comes to finding the right caretaker for their child, I would ask that any of my potential clients think less about the gender of their nanny and more about the qualifications and temperaments that would best suit their families and lifestyles.”
Her eyes widen in surprise as I start to juggle right in front of her. I turn and take my show on the road, slowly walking out of the office so she’ll have to follow me if she wants to get me on the record. “If you’ve checked out my previous client list as you claim, you would have noticed that it boasts both mothers who fly planes into combat and fathers who have transitioned. We have single parents, married parents and those who are, in Facebook parlance, complicated. J&T has no prejudices or preconceptions and only one requirement when it comes to offering our services to a potential client. Do they want the best for their child?”