When I started working as a nanny three years ago, Anju was six and Ketan was nine. Now Anju is her older brother’s age, and Ketan is nearly a teenager. I got to be a part of their lives while they were at their most creative and affectionate, and now that I’ve finished working for them, I miss them. A lot.
Anju: Do you know what makes me sad? Matteo doesn’t tease me.
Me: That makes you sad?
Anju: Yes! One of the signs of liking someone is teasing. He never teases me, and I tease him all the time!
Me: Hahaha.
Anju: And I don’t know what to do. Last year he was in my class, so I was used to him. But now whenever I see him I just run away like a weirdo.
Me: Yeah, I’ve done that.
We listened to a lot of pop music in the car. One summer we listened to Imagine Dragon’s album over and over and over again until we knew the lyrics to every song and could sing them at the top of our lungs. I set a precedent of absurd dancing, and I took so much joy in glancing at the rearview mirror to see Anju and Ketan flailing and fist-pumping to the beat. Continue reading