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My breath was short as we finally hit the top of the stairs,overtih for food and rent, with a little extra to pay down et a real job, one that would ree I frowned My original plan, after graduation, had been to work in coht-commission job A job that--in the wake of my newfound poverty--was now unfeasible I refocused on the conversation,a little at the second mention of the child I’d never been around a baby, e of infants restricted to sporadic episodes of Teen Moreat That sounds perfect"

She stopped on the landing, holding up a red-tipped finger and pressing it to her lips before turning the handle, pushing open the door to a nursery I silently groaned at the crib, set in the back of the pale pink room, CHANEL on the wall in block letters I followed slowly, reluctant to lancing into the crib, and--helpless to stop ’s body

I stood at the side of the crib and fought to keep my expression norhing more than five pounds It lay on its side, brown poufs of hair spilling out of each opening in the ensemble, a fur-lined hoodie loose across its back, and snored, little purrs as it stretched out across a duvet

"She’s sleeping," Mrs Brantley whispered loudly

Duh I attempted a polite se part of , diapers and runny noses no longer part of the equation

"When can I start?" I whispered, careful to give the proper respect to sleeping Chanel

She glanced at her watch, a diamond-studded timepiece "Can you work today ’til four?"

"Absolutely" I shtly

Mrs Brantley patted o overto know Chanel and introducing yourself I’ve got to hop on a call If you have any questions, hunt down one of the help"

The Help A group I was now part of I nodded politely, watched her exit, and performed a cursory sweep of the room Decorated in three different shades of pink, the en suite included a miniature treadmill, a puppy closet that rivaled my own, and dressers stocked with supplies and toys Unsure of what exactly Getting to Know Chanel meant, I settled into a leather chair and waited for her to wake up, the gentle snores fro lullaby

I may or ently watched over Chanel’s sleeping forle head droop That was oodbye to the maid, pulled on my coat and stepped onto the street, the afternoon sun htly shut behind ht there on the street, strangers brushing by--in celebration I wanted to wave my arms and revel in the fact that I, Chloe Madison, was officially independent I had my own job Would not beco in a way thatcould never afford Yes, a thousand a ould barelyRa the subway But still! I was on my own and, for the first tieable