|2. DALEY’S NURSERY|

|JUNE|

The pitter patter of the footsteps woke me up from my blissful dreams. The dream where my little brother was alive and lived with us. Where there were three of us, not two, by alas, it was just a dream. The door to my bedroom opened and Odette stared at me with a big smile. "Mowing papa," she said and walked over to my bed.

"Morning baby, how did you get off the bed?" I asked. I was afraid that she would hurt herself.

"Big," she replied and leaned on the mattress. Chuckling, I got out of bed and picked her up.

"How about you go down to the living room and when I am done we can make Strawberry pancakes. You like them, yeah?" I asked and smiled.

"Yes!" She yelled and wiggled around. I carefully placed her down and watched her as she ran towards the living room. I shook my head, I swear that one of these days she's going to get hurt if she's not careful. Gotta do something about the wooden floor.

Exhaling deeply I walked to the bathroom and did my business. When I was done I washed my hand and brushed my teeth, as well as my hair. Walking out to the living room I saw Odette was on the floor laying on the carpet. I laughed and went to the kitchen. "Oddy! Come and help me." I called. A few minutes later I heard light footsteps.

"Wiwth what?" She asked and walked over to me. I picked her up and put her on the counter.

"Mix this for me?" I asked. She nodded and grabbed the hand whisk. It was already mixed but I wanted her to do something. "Stay here baby, or you will fall."

I slowly moved away and grabbed the nonstick pan from the covert. Turning on the stove, I put the pan on and waited a bit for it to head up. "That's all babe," I put Odette on the floor and took the bowl with the pancake mixer in it, "thank you for helping me."

"Wewlcome," she said and walked to the living room where she was playing.

I sighed and turned around to start making the pancakes for us. I made mine first, which were a pain with nothing and when I made some for her, I added the strawberries I had cut into small bits. Putting it on the plate, I let it cool for a bit. "Babe, you need to brush your little teeth before you eat. Let's go." I walked over to her but she ran away from me. "Oh, you think this is funny huh?" I looked at her and she nodded. "Fine then, I am going to catch your little butt and when I do, I will tickle you and will not stop," I warned and she ran away.

I walked slowly to give her a head start and when I walked into the bedroom she wasn't there. I smiled knowing where she was hiding. "Oh no! Where did Ody go? I can't find her, my poor baby." I pretended to cry and I heard a little giggle. "I think I can hear her, where are you, babe? Are you okay?" I asked a bit loud for her to hear.

"Hewer!" She yelled and I crouched Down and looked under the bed. She wasn't there so I turned towards her little closet.

Slowly staking towards the closet I stood in front of the door. "I found you!" I yelled as I pulled the door open only to hear a high pitched scream. I looked down to see her giggling while looking at me. "You're going to get tickled!" I picked her up and started tickling her little tummy and she laughed.

"Stop!" She yelled over and over but I kept on tickling her. And then I stopped to give her time to breath.

"Now, let get your teeth brushed and get ready to eat." I grabbed her walked towards the bathroom.

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Cleaning Odette up is the hardest thing about her. She hates, like despises when I clean her. "You have to hold still." I tried to wipe her mouth with a wet paper towel. She started squirming like a little warm and tried to wiggle her way out but I held her tight. "The more you corporate with me, the faster this will be over." She didn't listen so it took me about thirty minutes to get her all cleaned and in a new dress.

I pulled up her black tights over the dipper. "Nwice?" She asked as she looked at her self-looking in the bathroom mirror. I nodded and put her down on the counter.

"Baby, try to put on your socks, we are going out," I told her as I saw her nod like a grown woman like she understood every word I said. I laughed and shook my head walking to my room.

I quickly picked a plain blue polo shirt and dark blue jeans. I combed my hair and sprayed a bit of cologne because Odette hats the smell of certain cologne and so do I. It makes my head dizzy. I looked myself over the mirror in my room and nodded to myself. When Joan was alive, she used to tell me that I used to talk to myself in the mirror and sometimes I would catch myself doing that. Mom used to think that I was possessed by something and she would ask me if I was okay, as a joke of course. I sighed and exited my room, these memories are useless now.

When I walked out I saw Odette on the floor trying to pull the sock up. I laughed and watched her for a while and probably took a few pictures. After a while, I walked up to her to help. She gave me her pouty face, as a way of asking for help. I kneeled down add helped her. She smiled and said, "Thank you." With a peak on my cheek.

"No prob," I said and kissed her little plum cheek.

I took her hand and grabbed my keys. Locking the door, we walked out to my car. I strapped her in and went to the driver's seat. "Are you excited?" I asked and nodded furiously. I smiled and looked ahead. "Yeah me too." I carefully maneuvered the car out of the driveway and we were off to Daley's Nursery. It took twenty minutes to arrive and by the looks of it from the outside, it seems like a fun and happy place. I drove around to find a parking spot, which was almost impossible but alas I found and quickly parked.

I got out and made my way towards the back. When I opened the door, Odette seemed really, really excited that she reached out. I chuckled and carefully unbuckled her seatbelts. I picked her up and shut the car door, locking the car. We made our way to the entrance of nursery.

I took a deep breath and walked in. There was a lady there. She had a child with her. "Hello, welcome to Daley's Nursery. How may we help you?" She smiled at the two of us.

"Hi, I am just here for a tour of the nursery. My appointment with Mrs. Daphne is at 11:25 am." I smiled as she looked at me and then looked down at something. She walked behind the desk, which is to my right and I heard her click on the computer mouse.

"Ah, yes. Are you Mr. Anderson?" She asked and I nodded. "I'll just get Please, have a seat."

She left the room and I took a seat at the blue and pink chairs near the wall. Odette struggled, trying to get loose. I put her down and she immediately went to the puzzle that was on the wall. Looking around, it wasn't really bad, there was an elephant popping out of the wall and it looked like a jungle with monkeys all hanging around over. It seemed like a fun and comfortable place.

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"Hello, you much be June Anderson. I am Pluma Delphine, nice to meet you." A woman, probably in her late thirties stood in front of me with a big smile.

I quickly stood up and extended my hand. "Nice you meet you too," I said.

"Oh, you must be Odette!" She yelled when she turned around. "She's just adorable, she'll fit right in with the others."

"I hope so," I mumbled and walked over to Odette and picked her up. She seemed to resist at first but she quieted down after a while.

"Okay, are you ready to be amazed?" Mrs. Delphine looked at us with a glint in her eyes.

I gave her a confusing look but nodded to go along with her act. "We are ready," I said and smiled when I heard Odette clap her hands.

"Okay, so. This is where the kids play and have fun. One or two adults are always here to help when there seems to be a problem." She showed us around the first room, where few of the kids were at. They seemed to be getting along and having fun. We walked into the next room, to the right. "This is where the kids' nap." Mrs. Delphine whispered.

"I see," I whispered back. 

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We walked around and so far the place seems incredible to me. After the little tour, we went to her office and I filled out some information about the adults or family members that can pick her up if I couldn't. "When will she be starting?" Mrs. Delphine asked.

"I am hoping she can start this Friday to get used to it." I looked up at her and gave her a little smile.

"That sounds lovely. I will be sure to inform the workers about our new member." She smiled and looked down at the sleeping Odette.

"Thank you," I said and stood up with Odette in my arms.

"You're very welcome, see you Friday." She bid and I nodded and walked out the office and the front door to my car.

I carefully set Odette in her booster seat and buckled her up. I was thankful that she didn't wake up, if she did, she'd make a fuss until I fed her and put her to bed, again.

I closed the door and went to the driver's side and got in. Starting the car, I waited a bit for it to warm up, while waiting I read the packet Mrs. Delphine had given me about the daycare. It had said that I didn't have to pack her lunch, she will be feed here. And the monthly cost if $250. Which was a bit cheap but I don't mind.

Putting the packet down, I buckled my seatbelt and reversed the car and pulled out of the parkway and carefully drove home. When we got there I took Odette out and locked the car, and walked to our apartment. Unlocking the door and taking off my shoe was hard but I've gotten used to it. I walked into Odette's room and settled her on her bed and took off her shoes, and sweater. She snuggled in her blankets and I put her favorite stuffed toy, Bambi, next to her and walked out of her room.

I went to the kitchen and made pasta with white sauce. It was mine and Odette's favorite, especially when it's cooked right. I took out a plate and put some in it and ate my portion. I had a little bowl with Odette's share on the counter, if she woke up before it got cold, I'd give it to her. If she didn't, it'll be in the fridge and I'll heat it up when she's hungry.

I laid in the couch and turned on the tv. I watched the news and after a while switched to another channel, where Meet The Robinsons was playing. I watched until I fell asleep.