Baumgartner generations: Janie

I nodded, knowing it was just a excuse to get me out of the room, and I took it, grabbing my t-shirt off the floor and pulling it on before slipping out the door. I did check on Beth, but she was still sleeping, her thumb tucked firmly into her mouth, a habit Ronnie was trying in vain to break her of. She was definitely going to end up with braces at this rate.

Instead of going back to my room on the first floor, I went straight for the shower, still warm and steamy from TJ’s time there. There was a shower downstairs, too, but it didn’t have double showerhead jets and I want to stand under the pound of water hot and hard enough to turn my skin bright red.

A baby.

It was both exciting and scary. What did that mean for them? For us? For everything? I loved being Beth’s nanny. She was a great kid, easy-going, very quick-

and she had the goofiest sense of humor. But what would it mean, being a nanny to a baby? Diapers, bottles, strollers, crying in the middle of the night… And what about our nights? What would happen to the three of us? Would there even be room for me in their lives as their lover anymore?

Because we all knew I didn’t want to be a nanny forever. What kept me, the reason I really stayed, was because I loved Ronnie and TJ and my life with them. Being

“the nanny” was just convenient, for all of us. I could write while Beth was in school, then pick her up and make her a snack, supervise homework and get dinner started, all before Ronnie got home from teaching. TJ was always the last home, but he made it most nights for dinner.

And then, after Beth was asleep, we’d all huddle under a blanket on the couch and watch a movie, or sometimes we’d play games or read our books or do something on our laptops, and usually two or three nights a week, I’d end up in their bed, at least for a while.

It was a good routine, one we’d fallen easily into over the past couple years. Was that all going to change now?

“Knock-knock.”

I startled at the sound of the little voice piping up behind the shower curtain and then heard the unmistakable sound of Beth peeing.

“Who’s there?” I gave her the perfunctory response.

“Interrupting cow.”

Oh boy. This one again. The kid had a thing for knock-knock jokes lately.

“Inter-”

“MOO!” She poked her head around the curtain, grinning, her hair a dark, cloudy mess around her face.

“Moo right back atcha.” I flicked water at her. She made a face and quickly closed the curtain.

“I want waffles!”

“Did you flush and wash?” I reminded her, grabbing the shampoo.

“And bacon. And sausages. And Pop-Tarts. Strawberry ones. With pink sprinkles.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t interrupting pig at the door?” I lathered my hair, wincing as the water turned colder when she flushed and turned on the sink.

“OINK!” she agreed, peeking around the shower curtain again. “Can I have waffles?”

“Eggos?” I asked hopefully.

“Not homemade?”

I turned off the shower and opened the curtain. She had such a pretty pout-

which was probably why she usually got just what she wanted.

“I don’t think we have time for homemade.” I grabbed the towel I’d left on the counter and wrapped it around myself.

“But it’s Saturday!” she protested.

Tell me about it, I thought. “I know. But your mom’s taking us to see paintings today.”

Beth slid up onto the counter and watched me wrap another towel around my hair. “Do they have cows in them?”

I laughed. “Some of them do.”

“Well then I guess we can go. If I can have waffles first.”

“Eggos.” I insisted on the compromise. “Go get dressed and get them out of the freezer, okay?”

“Okay.” She hopped down and opened the door, headed toward her room.

I hesitated, watching her go, and then looked the other way at the closed door of her parents’ room. There was no sound from inside. I stood there, wondering if I should knock?

My decision was made for me when the door flew open and Ronnie came out, pulling her robe around her.

“You scared me!”

“Sorry,” she apologized. Her eyes were red and I knew she’d been crying. “Is Beth up?”

I nodded. “Did TJ go to work?”

“For a little while.” She sighed. “I’m going to take a shower. Can you get her ready? We’re going to meet TJ at the Met at noon.”

“Sure.” I stood there, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.

Congratulations? Are you okay? What? Beth saved me from saying anything, bursting out of her room wearing jeans and an iCarly t-shirt.

“Time for Eggos!” she exclaimed. “Mommy! Knock-knock!” Ronnie groaned, shaking her head. “Oh no, it is way too early for knock-knock jokes. Ask Janie.”

“Moo!” I said, sticking out my tongue and steering Beth toward the stairs. “Let’s go rustle up some syrup and butter.”

When I looked back, Ronnie had gone into the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

* * * *

R U COMING 2NITE?

I glanced at my cell, reading Lil’s message, and quickly texted her back.

Y.10?TTYL

“Your boyfriend?” TJ teased, sitting down next to me at the Met cafeteria table with his tray of food.