Annie (short story) by Leanne Dyck

What would you do to make a dream reality? 

This short story was inspired by The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani.

photo by ldyck

Annie

Maybe some people look at my life and think I'm pathetic. But I'm not. Not really. I mean I've got a nice apartment. It's childproof--no sharp edges, everything nice and clean. The children who come are my sister's. A rangy bunch. Mine will never behave like them. I've studied child development. That's what I do. I work in a daycare. I love babies. That's what I want more than anything else in the world--a baby. Some of the mothers... Well, they're too young, aren't they? They don't have my experience, my education. Holding this one little girl, Annie... Rocking her to sleep... She's a dream is my Annie. Her mother doesn't treat her right. Yells at her. Whacks her for sticking things in her mouth. But that's what she's supposed to do. Babies explore with all their senses. That's how they learn. Everything in the daycare is clean. We keep it like that. She whacked Annie and I wanted to shake her.

I wanted to scream, "She's a baby. Be gentle."

Annie deserves better. Then I got to thinking--I'm better. 

With one paycheque I bought a stroller. With another a crib. I told my nosey sister they're for when her kids stay over. Like really? Never. They're all for Annie. Annie's mom won't even miss her. She doesn't want her, not like I do. I'll be doing them a favour, really.

But how will I get Annie out of the daycare and home here with me? That'll be the challenge.

Much thanks to my beta reader for helping me with this very short story.

Next post

Sunday, May 26 at approximately 5 PM PST

Book review:  Milkman by Anna Burns

Set in Ireland during the time of the troubles.
Won the 2018 Man Booker prize

Baby Rescuer (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Do you judge a person before you get to know them? 
Haven't we all--at one time or another? 
Do you dive in to help before you understand the problem?
We're all human.

photo by ldyck

Baby Rescuer

When I was a teenager I made mistakes. I didn't study for a test. I stayed out too late. I kissed a boy I shouldn't have kissed. But nothing I did lead to an unwanted--or wanted--pregnancy. That's what I thought when I saw that job ad. 

"I'll get that job," I told myself and visualized wearing tights and a cape. Super Early Childhood Educator to the rescue.

I did get that job and I got an education. I meet a group of young women that were doing the best they could. They loved their babies that was plain to see. They wanted the best for their children--isn't that what every parent wants, or should.

In brief, that's what I told the mom who cornered me, who wanted to know--straight up--what I thought.

I said, "I thought I needed to rescue your babies, but I don't. Your babies are loved--and that's the most important thing."

And she said, "Some of my friends who aren't in this program, who don't go to school, they're like you thought. Their babies need to be rescued. But we, we're not like that. We're the cream."

Much thanks to my beta (first) reader who helped me with this short story.

Next Sunday evening's post

Book review:  Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill

won the Scotiabank Giller in 2017

Who are you? How do you know for sure?

Making Writing Pay by Leanne Dyck

(me and my friends playing 'row, row the boat' photo by a co-worker, circa the 1990s)

That day's guest lecturer had been in the field of child day care for many years. No doubt, she shared a lot--the highs, the lows. But what hit me was:  "After graduation, as a child care worker, you'll earn less than a general laborer."

I pipped up with, "Money doesn't matter to me. I want to give quality care to the children who need me. I want to support families."

Early Childhood Educators 'work is undervalued and they in effect subsidize the service they provide through their low pay.' (Beach, Costigliola, 2004)

'Across all national surveys, low wages have been consistently identified as the primary reason for leaving the field.' (Halfon, 2014)

'The high turnover rate in child care creates instability and negatively affects the quality of child care.' (Beach, Costigliola, 2004)

I graduated from the University of Winnipeg's eighteen-month program and sought work in rural Manitoba--because I thought that was where I was most needed. I quickly became aware that many people viewed me as nothing more than a glorified babysitter. Because I focused on intangible rewards, I had a fourteen-year career--only retiring when a family tragedy forced me to make lifestyle changes. 

And now I write...

'Don't write to become famous or to make a lot of money. Write because you love it.'

-Joe Beernink

Wait a second. What's wrong with writing for money? Love--money, can't you have both? Most writers start with at least one (love). Why can't you dream of attaining the other (money)? What's wrong with dreaming. Sometimes it makes for an excellent motivator. 

Some may say, "But what if you don't achieve the type of success that you dream of?"

What if you do?

And we're all grown-ups. We've had our dreams dashed before. We've learned how to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off.

Dreaming of success shouldn't stop us from celebrating the small successes we make daily. Turning on the computer... Picking up that pen... Writing that sentence, paragraph, chapter, book.

Yes, I'm writing to build my readership. Yes, I hope my books sell. No, this doesn't make me a sell-out.

'Real art has positive value, which means it has Commercial value. We perversely define artists as those who Don't create for money (as opposed to nearly every other vocation, where skill, experience and quality for a craft would boost your income), based on the idea that great work transcends commercialism.' -Derek Murphy 

More...

In 1985, broke and depressed, Jim Carrey wrote himself a cheque for 10 million dollars for "acting services rendered". The cheque deteriorated but Carrey eventually made it. 

Read the entire story here.

(me completing my studies, circa the 1980s)

Next Post:   Sunday, September 9th
(at approximately 5 PM PST)
To honour those who have returned to their studies, I wrote Magdalene College's bell tower--a short story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

(my husband and me waiting for a parade, our dog wondering, what? photo by T Hobley 2018)

Sharing my author journey...

I know it looks like I have a demanding workload, and I do--especially this summer. But I do aim for a balance between work 

Book Review: The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

Buy this book

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani follows a circular plot--beginning and ending with the murders of two young children:  Mila and her little brother Adam. (Click this link to learn more about circular plots.)

Who would do such a thing?

Louise seems to be the perfect nanny. Not only does she appear to be a compassionate child care provider but she also keeps an immaculate house and serves delicious meals. But what happens behind closed doors...

In the middle pages of The Perfect Nanny, Slimani provides a case study of Louise--murderer. We hear accounts from Stephani (daughter), Rose Grinberg (neighbour), Jacques (ex-husband), and Hector Rouvier  (former charge).

Exploiting our fears

Skilled thriller authors, such as Leila Slimani, know how to exploit commonly shared fears in order to write a gripping tale. 

In this case:  What can happen to the most vulnerable in our society when they are left in the care of relative strangers?

As an Early Childhood Educator caring for children in day care centres, I've come face-to-face with this fear and have helped parents overcome it.

'Early childhood educators work with one of society's most vulnerable groups--young children. The quality of the interactions between young children and their caregivers has a significant, enduring impact on the children's lives. The intimacy of the relationship and the potential that exists to do harm call for a commitment on the part of early childhood educators to the highest of ethical practice. (p. 1 Code of Ethics:  Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia)

What is left for you discover, dear reader, are how and why these murders were committed. The Perfect Nanny is a quick, grippy read.

More

'Even if you're not writing in the horror or thriller genre, a healthy dose of fear is essential in your story.'  Click this link for tips on how to achieve it.

 'into the woods' ldyck

Next post:  Published on Sunday, July 29th (at approximately 5 PM PST)
The story The Woods was inspired by my walks in the woods. What are the chances?☺

Me:  "Come, Abby."

Abby:  "I'm thinking about it."

Sharing my author journey... 
I'm slowly and steadily completing my summer writing goals. They are...