“Would you look at that? A miracle, and I have to admit, that was just so cute,” Gregory whispers.

“She’s so sweet.” I nod, completely agreeing.

Mrs. Felix whispers, “My guess is she’ll be down for hours, what do you think?” She asks me directly, smiling at me like she and I have crossed over from untrustworthy enemies to solid allies now.

“I’ll bet you’re right. She’s out.” I run a finger on one of the infant’s flushed cheeks.

Mrs. Felix wheels closer. “Thank you, young lady—Robin. What a relief you knew exactly what to do. We are so appreciative.”

“You’re both welcome.” It’s easy to return her now easy smile. “What’s the baby’s name, if I can ask?”

“Oh. Oh, well…we…” Mrs. Felix’s voice wavers and when I catch her gaze, I see suddenly looks like she’s going to tear up!

“I’m sorry.” I shake my head, thoroughly confused by these people. Holding up my hands high, I add, “I don’t mean to pry. It’s okay, I don’t need to know.” I also dart an apologetic glance at Gregory who is handing his mother a monogrammed handkerchief so she can dab at her eyes.

“We—we don’t know her name, dear,” Mrs. Felix finally replies. “We only got her last night. I’ve been calling her sweet baby, or little one. We have no clue where her mother is or what her motivations were to leave the child with us, because there is no note, no directions, nothing. The baby seems healthy and well cared for, though. Don’t you think?”

“Mother.” Gregory’s smile has turned to a worrying sort of frown.

Feeling awkward now, I answer quickly, “I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding. No mother would leave this beautiful baby without a good reason. Does she have a father? Is he around?”

For some reason, this question makes the old woman’s face crumple more with what looks like heartbreak. I risk another glance at Gregory, who’s frowning at his mother and now also feeling awkward.

Mrs. Felix doesn’t notice because she’s dabbing the handkerchief into both of her eyes and sniffling. “The father would be my grandson. He’s been rumored to be quite the wastrel, scoundrel, rogue or—player, as your generation calls it. He doesn’t know about this bundle quite yet, nor will he be pleased about her arrival.”

“Mother, again, you must stop.” Gregory pulls her wheel chair back away from me some, but his mom doesn’t stop talking or crying as she adds, “But no twenty-one year old young man would be pleased he’s fathered a surprise baby, right?”

She’s directed the question directly to me so I answer, “I guess no one would be pleased, but once he’s over the surprise I would hope that he would rally and do the right thing by her.” I blink at them both, clinging to the parts of this conversation I think I understand, which is that the father of this baby might suck in more ways than one. “Don’t be sad, ma’am. This baby could change his life for the better,” I press on, wishing I could at least help with some of her anguish.

“Our boy, he…doesn’t live a normal life and Gregory and I are worried the baby won’t be okay as his daughter.” Mrs. Felix shakes her head.

“Of course she will. You don’t have to live a normal life to do what’s right. I mean really does anyone have a normal life these days?” I shrug. “Even if this baby was a one night stand and comes a total surprise, she’s still a gift. How can he not be excited once he meets her? She’s healthy and beautiful and perfect. This also makes him the best thing in the world—a father!” I meet her teary gaze.

“You’re a sweet girl to try to make me feel better. Maybe you’re right, young lady.”

“I’m sure this will all work out fine because nature has a way of making people fall in love with babies. You’ll see. Look at you and Gregory here, you two are already gone for her, right? Your son will be hooked the minute he sees her.”

Mrs. Felix dries her tears. “You have a marvelous sense of optimism and I needed to hear that.” She sniffs a dainty sniff. “I shall hope you’re correct on this matter.” Her eagle eyes scan me up and down again but this time it’s not in a ferocious way it’s more assessing. “And please don’t call me ‘ma’am.’ Although it’s polite and proper, I feel it’s worse than being called a great-grandmother, which is what this baby has instantly turned me into. Tsk. Tsk.” She tucks her handkerchief away. “You may call me Mrs. Felix and I shall call you Robin, and we shall consider each other friends after this strange day. Agreed?”

“Of course, Mrs. Felix. Nice to meet you.” I hold the baby toward her. “Can I hand her back now? I think it’s safe she won’t wake up. Seems like she can sleep through anything.”

“Yes. That’s the best thing about her. Not counting today, this baby is a champion sleeper.” Gregory helps me settle the sleeping baby back into Mrs. Felix’s lap.

“Forgive me for prying again, but have you notified anyone about the missing mother?” I ask.

The old woman shakes her head. “We’re waiting. We have attorneys working with us but for now I can’t let our own flesh and blood be placed in any sort of foster care while we figure things out. We’re hoping the mother will simply return and explain. We’ve survived so many scandals before this one, but I don’t think any of our hearts would survive should someone try to take this sweet baby away from us now that we’ve met her, so we’re waiting a bit.”

Unlike the topic of her dead-beat grandson, foster care is a subject I understand all too well, so I feel assured when I give my advice: “Being with family is the most important thing. Even if the situation requires drastic actions, and even if you must tell a few lies or put off calling the authorities. I’m sure you’re doing the right thing, Mrs. Felix. I’m sure you are.” I run my hand lightly against the sleeping baby’s shock of ginger hair-fluff. “You love this baby already, and the baby’s father will do the same. Love and family is what truly counts. The rest will fall into place.”

“That’s what I was saying to Gregory earlier today. A level-headed girl, this one is.” Mrs. Felix nods approvingly at me. “I should tell you, dear—”

“Enough. You’ve told her enough.” Gregory places his hand gently on the old woman’s shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “Robin, if you don’t mind returning the favor we granted you about not discussing the presence of your brother with anyone, could you please not mention any of what my mother has just said—and I mean any of it—to anyone. It’s important we keep the information surrounding this baby a secret until the legal matters are settled.”

“You have my word. I’m great at secrets. Honest.”

“From an Army brat, I know your word means everything to you.”

I nod, smiling and happy that he understands the SF code of honor.

“Thank you, Robin. I over-spoke. I’m sorry,” Mrs. Felix starts but she doesn’t finish because three women, one older, and two who look to be in their twenties, all wearing matching hotel uniforms and gold printed nametags, enter the room. “I’m sorry we’re a little late.” The oldest one calls out.

Keeping my eyes locked on Mrs. Felix, I whisper, “I promise. You can trust me. Don’t worry.” I make the sealed lips sign and quickly, I move to take a seat.

The oldest woman looks like she’s in charge, when I see that her name reads, Mrs. Hildebrandt, I realize she’s the one who will be interviewing me, so I send out my best employable-hard-worker smile for her.

She doesn’t even see it as she breezes by us all. “We’ll be with each of you shortly.” She stalks toward the largest office, but pauses dead in her tracks when she spies Mrs. Felix. “Oh. Mrs. Felix. This is a surprise. What a cute baby and whose baby is it?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s my dear friend’s baby. She’s been visiting for days, and she’s got a touch of the flu right now, so Gregory and I are watching her while the baby’s mother gets some long and needed rest.”

I’m a little shocked at how easily Mrs. Felix’s has told that whopping lie, but like me, the old woman has her reasons. I’ll be the last person to judge her, that’s for sure.

“Oh. I see. How nice of you to step in,” Mrs. Hildebrandt says, still blinking at Mrs. Felix like she’s afraid her or like she’s having a very bad dream. “Why didn’t you text me you were coming down, I would have been here waiting.”

“I was unaware I needed to tell you anything, and I’ve never texted anyone in my entire life. Really, the nerve.” Mrs. Felix’s voice has turned to ice. She hardly seems like the kind, vulnerable woman I spoke with a minute ago.

“Oh. Yes. Yes, Ma’am. Of course. I apologize. Of course.” The woman glances at me, color hitting her cheeks. “Are you my interview?”

I nod.

“Do you mind waiting while I assist them first?”

“Not at all.”

“Good. Good.” She scoots past Mrs. Felix. “I’ll only be a minute. Let me make sure it’s all ready for you.”

“I don’t have all day,” Mrs. Felix snaps, her gaze still cold, which makes Mrs. Hildebrandt literally run to her office.

The two young women head to the reception desk. My chest fills with nervous flips as I wonder if one of these girls will also be in on the interview?

“How old are you, Robin, if you don’t mind me asking such a personal question?” Mrs. Felix calls over to me, her voice kind and old-movie-sunny again.

I stand and tiptoe back to her side of the room so I can whisper my answer, “I’ll be eighteen, next week.”

“You’re seventeen? Really?” She cries out. “Gregory, can you believe that? Seventeen. I thought younger, but of course if you were then you wouldn’t be trying to get a summer job,” she says. The girls at the desk are now obviously eavesdropping. “Such a pretty, young and fresh face you have, dear.”

“Thank you. Everyone tells me that,” I whisper. “But they also say I have an old soul.” I don’t correct Mrs. Felix’s assumptions about how I’m here for a ‘summer job’. I figure, during the interview, I’ll have the chance to explain to Mrs. Hildebrandt that I want full time work, and more.

A phone starts dinging from a bag hung on the wheelchair. “Gregory. Can you grab that for me?”

Gregory takes her phone out and steps away. “Hello. Yes. We’re nearby. They’re all home? Don’t let anyone leave. We’re coming, straight up. Tell them to gather in the dining room. We need to make a plan.”

I straighten my shoulders and stretch my spine taller as I see the girls behind the counter staring at me more. I mask my face with false confidence and re-apply my hire-me-please smile.

They don’t smile back.

Gregory returns and whispers into his mother’s ear.

“Oh dear,” she whispers back, but this time I can hear her. “I suppose sooner is better than later. Tsk. Tsk.”

The old woman pushes her foot into the carpet to make her wheelchair move forward again, which makes me think maybe she can walk some. “We shall have to postpone our meeting until tomorrow.” She turns her attention to the receptionists. “I’m sure you two overheard me. Please inform Mrs. Hildebrandt, we could not stay.”

She dismisses them both with an upturn of her chin, then turns to me again. “It was lovely to meet you, Robin. A pleasure to find someone who’s well brought up in this day-and-age.”

“It was my pleasure, too,” I answer, trying to ignore how the receptionists sound like they’re now whisper-snickering at my expense. I’m also trying to ignore the way my heart has started to sink.

Gregory grips the wheelchair handles and turns so he can push the door open with his back.

“Good luck. I’m sure you’re going to get it,” Gregory whispers as I hold the door so he can push Mrs. Felix out into the hall.

The door silently closes behind them just as Mrs. Hildebrandt’s dashes in, calling, “Wait! Mrs. Felix. What happened?” She flushes all the way to her ears then seems to fixate on my flip-flops.

When she looks up to my face, I keep my face impassive and my comments to myself, not sure if it’s my place to answer or not.

Pretending to ignore me, she spins on her heel to intercept her staff who drag her into the hallway, whispering more, and holding copies of what appears to be a printout of the online application I’d I sent in while I was still in North Carolina.

Mrs. Hildebrandt glances at me over her glasses and shakes her head in this way that has my heart sinking more, so much so, that it’s difficult to hold my shoulders and neck straight.

Gregory’s right.

I am going to get it.

Get the boot.