Modest Goddess

We interviewed a bunch of nannies this week in preparation for my husband's return to work. For the most part, they seemed like kind, competent people, except for one woman who couldn't work all the hours we advertised, and then, on her way out the door, asked for more money to work Saturday. More money for a job she can't actually do. But anyway, we decided we wanted to hire Maria. She has experience. Her last family asked her to move to North Carolina with them. She seems to take initiative -- she says she takes kids out in the stroller or to the park or library every day. We stepped out of the den for a moment, and when we came back, she was down on the floor, playing with Joseph, who was loving the attention. Leon even Googled her and found a local newspaper article that said she had volunteered to house Honduran children who came to the States for heart surgeries.

Perfect candidate, right? Except that this morning, she left for Guatemala on a family emergency and doesn't know when she'll return.