“Hello, young man, can you give me more details regarding the event?” asked Sofia.
“How are you doing, ma’am?” replied the student.
“My name is Sofia Martinez, but you can call me Sofia,” she responded.
“Sofia, the event is next Friday. We all shall gather to listen to Uncle P’s fables. Uncle P is our new Spanish teacher, a motivational speaker, and a remarkable writer. He has power in his words. His stories have something to teach, not to just one age group or one gender, but to the entire family. The tickets are free of cost, and we will serve refreshments. You and the kids will have a good time. You have my word.”
“Do you want three tickets to bring your children along?” the student asked in a weak voice.
“Oh! These children in the car? No, they are not my children. I would have been the happiest mom if they were,” said Sofia with a heavy-heart. Yes, they weren’t her children. Sofia Martinez was just their nanny, a forty-year-old Dominican woman who had been taking care of Oliver Anderson’s children for over two years. She has widowed at thirty-five, and now Anthony and Leslie were her only reason to give life another chance.
She continued, “I’m their nanny, and I take them to the park every morning. We couldn’t make it to the park. Thus, we’re going back home. Anyway, I’d like three tickets. Let’s see who can accompany me to the show.”
“I am sorry for confusing them as your children. Here are your tickets. I hope to see you next Friday. I hope you have an amazing company with you. You both will not regret coming. I can assure you …” the student said. He felt embarrassed.
“Thank you for your kindness, sweetheart. See you on Friday at seven.” Sofia tried to make the boy feel as if nothing had happened. She then put her car in drive, and soon, they were at Oliver Anderson Mansion, where Anthony and Leslie lived with their father.
Sofia parked the car in the garage. The passenger doors of the car opened and Anthony and Leslie came out.
“Kids! Don’t run,” Sofia said in a high-pitched voice.
The kids had seen their father sitting in the porch, and they raced toward him.
“I will hug Dad first!” Leslie shouted as she tried to keep up with her brother while both of them made a run.
“I will get to him first,” replied Anthony as he got to the porch and hugged his father.
“But I wanted to win!” Leslie complained as she reached the porch after Anthony. She felt sad she couldn’t hug her father first.
“My sweetheart, why are you sad?” said Mr. Anderson while he hugged Anthony. Then he went to Leslie and kissed her on her cheek and said, “Why does it matter my dear? Dad loves both of his children.” Mr. Anderson took Leslie in his arms and hugged her tight.
“I love you, Dad.”
“Dad loves Leslie more.” Mr. Anderson then saw Sofia coming and said, “Welcome, Sofia. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well. What about you?”
“When the kids are around, I am more than fine. Thanks for taking some time off to take the kids to the park.”
“No, you do not have to thank me. I should thank you instead. I enjoy every moment with your kids, so I should thank you for giving me the chance to take care of your beautiful kids,” replied Sofia.
“You are a sweet lady.”
Sofia blushed.
“Dad, let’s go inside!” Anthony pulled Mr. Anderson’s sleeves.
“Yes, why not dear? You go inside, I’ll follow.”
Anthony and Leslie ran inside.
“Come with us, Sofia,” Mr. Anderson said.
“Thank you for inviting me, but I need to go. I have a few commitments for the afternoon.” She didn’t want to feel uninvited in the “family hour.”
“No, please don’t leave so soon,” Mr. Anderson impressed.
“Okay, but only for a while, just because you are insisting, Mr. Anderson,” replied Sofia.
“Thanks for your consideration,” replied Mr. Anderson with a faint smile.
Mr. Anderson then went inside, and Sofia followed. Just like any gentleman, he opened the door for Sofia to walk in.
“Thank you, Mr. Anderson.”
“My pleasure, Ms. Martinez.”
As they walked into the living room, they saw Anthony and Leslie jumping on the sofas.
“My babies please get off the sofas. Don’t jump; you may end up hurting yourself,” Sofia said with great concern.
“Sofia. You. Are. Staying. We. Are. So. Happy,” the kids said in intervals, and they jumped on the sofas. The kids loved Sofia as much as she loved them.
Sofia smiled, and Mr. Anderson stopped the kids from jumping. He first went to Anthony, held him with his hands, and told him to get on the floor.
“But Dad—”
“Please, my child.”
“Ah, okay!”
Anthony came off the sofa, though he didn’t want to.
“Leslie?”
“Dad! But this is fun. Why don’t you also join us?” replied Leslie. She didn’t want to stop, and she kept jumping.
“Please, Leslie, Aren’t your papa’s best daughter?” interrupted Sofia.
“If Sofi says so …” Leslie hopped off the sofa.
Mr. Anderson smiled and kissed his daughter.
“Children are the best creation of God,” said Sofia.
Anthony, who said, “Dad, what do we do now?” Interrupted the conversation.
“Go to your room and see your new toys. Go check them out and bring them here.”
Both of their faces showed a rush of excitement.
“Yay! Thanks, Dad!” Anthony made a run to his room.
Leslie followed her brother to the bedroom.
The kids soon went out of sight. Mr. Anderson offered Sofia to sit. He said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask you to sit. Please sit.”
“Sure.” Sofia sat on the sofa.
“Would you like some juice?” asked Mr. Anderson.
“Yes, please.”
Mr. Anderson dialed the extension for the kitchen and asked them to bring fresh juice.
The maid came in with a pitcher of fresh orange juice and two glasses. Mr. Anderson poured juice for both of them.
They both had a good time. They laughed and shared stories. Sofia told him about her time with Leslie and Anthony and how the kids tried to make her stay just another hour.
Mr. Anderson listened to everything that she said with great intrigue. He shared stories of his secretary and his associates at his law firm. He also told Sofia about his struggles of putting the kids to bed when she is not around.
They both laughed at how Leslie and Anthony tried to avoid eating vegetables and how much they enjoyed jumping on the sofas.
“I must confess, it had been a long time that I haven’t chortled like this. All thanks to you, lady. I feel so alive; this conversation made me realize the difference between living and existing.” Mr. Anderson felt happy; his face brightened.
The kids were not coming back. They liked the new toys so much that they