“I’m sorry, Dad. I thought it was okay since Ms. Kind is gonna be a part of the family now. We’ll be complete again.” Syd replies, her voice small.

Silence befalls the room. I glance at Vic, whose eyes shift away, unable to meet mine. He abruptly stands, his chair scraping against the floor with a jarring sound that mirrors the sudden tightness in my chest.

“This was a bad idea. A very bad idea.” He groans, speaking more to himself than to the rest of us. Without another word, he swiftly retreats to his study, leaving a gaping void behind him.

“Mr. Grimes, wait!” I call after him, desperation edging my voice, but he’s already gone. I turn to the girls and the staff, my heart sinking into the pit of my stomach. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.” I apologize, feeling the weight of the moment crush down on me.

Vicky places a comforting hand on my shoulder, her touch light but filled with empathy. “It’s okay, Kerry. Victor may come off as hardened, but he has a huge heart. A huge broken heart. Just give him some time.” She advises with a knowing look that suggests she understands more than she says.

She and Ms. Tina excuse themselves to check on Vic, leaving me to finish the meal with the girls in thoughtful, heavy silence. My thoughts swirl with Vic’s sorrow and the Grimes family’s complex past.

After lunch, I shepherd the girls to the family library, a sanctuary of quiet and calm. We select books to read and write reports on. I choose one of my favorites, Their Eyes Were Watching God, while the girls opt for lighter YA fantasies.

The afternoon passes with us lost in the pages. Vic doesn’t return from his study. and his absence casts a long shadow over what was otherwise a beautifully unfolding day. When 3:30 approaches, I hug Syd and Ari then give them a list of fun learning activities to complete in their spare time. Then, I briefly pop into their classroom to add a touch of personality and improve its accessibility. I adjust the chair and desk heights to accommodate Ari’s needs comfortably and add grips to the science tools to help Syd handle them more easily. To brighten the space, I print posters of their favorite storybook characters and organize the bookshelves by themes they love.

I hope they like the changes, and I really hope this family hires me full-time. I need this job, but most importantly, I want it. I really want to be a part of their lives.

Afterward, with a mixture of hope and trepidation, I approach Vic’s study and knock firmly, waiting for his permission to enter. “It’s open.” He replies in a chilling tone.