Page 29 of Denial
“What’s next?”
Nellie shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“Do you have homework or anything?”
“I have to read for thirty minutes and do ten math problems.” Her frown tells me exactly how she feels about that.
I peer into the fridge, mind working on how best to tackle our evening. It’s well stocked with a decent variety of fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, and meat options. Not that Sutton left me any instructions for the dinner menu.
“How about this? I’ll grab you a snack, and you can keep me company and work on your math while I start dinner.”
“I guess that’s okay.”
“Great! You find your math stuff, and I’ll cut up an apple. Do you like apples?”
“I lost my tooth in an apple!” Papers rustle as Nellie digs through her bag.
“I think I lost a tooth once in an apple too.”
I find a knife in the block beside the stove and slice the red delicious into wedges. I nuke a dollop of peanut butter in the microwave for fifteen seconds to make it easier to dip.
“There.” I place the snack in front of her at the kitchen table, weirdly proud of my balanced choice. Sutton has nothing to worry about. I rock this nanny thing.
She studies the selection for a moment before carefully picking a slice and swiping it into the peanut butter.
“This is reaallly good!”
“It’s one of my favorite snacks.” I have an entire drawer of nut butters for when I need an easy snack that won’t mess with my blood sugar.
Nellie pops the remainder of the apple into her mouth and ducks her head to start working on her math.
I take that as my cue to retreat into the kitchen and get something on the stove before Sutton checks in on his nanny cam and finds a reason to fire me.
Fifteen minutes later, I have homemade chicken noodle soup simmering in a large pot. Sutton’s spice selection is lacking, but I made it work with the natural flavor from the store-bought broth. I make a mental note to sneak some options into my bag the next time I’m at the grocery store.
The vibration of my watch provokes a flash of irritation. I swear these unknown-number calls can’t all be from that idiot. I’m not sure if I left a bill unpaid back in Arizona, but I might have to call Archie to have him check with the utility companies before this gets out of hand.
A glance at my wrist settles my shoulders some. Sutton’s name flashes across the screen just in time for the call to end.
“Well, shit,” I mutter. Checking that Nellie is still immersed in her homework and snack, I dig my phone from my pocket.
Before I can move it in front of my face, it starts ringing again.
“Why aren’t you answering my calls?” His voice comes at me before I get the device to my ear.
“Hello, Officer Sunny. I’m sorry I wasn’t quick enough to answer.”
“What could you be doing that makes it difficult to pick up?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Taking care of your daughter?”
I walk to the back door to move this conversation farther away from Nellie. The door springs groan, and Merit trots right in.
“Is that the door?”
“Yes, Sutton. I’m just letting in the dog.”
“How’s Eleanor?”
