Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 84
The past few weeks Renate had valiantly held down the fort while Edward spent nearly every waking moment at the hospital. She had gone way beyond the call of duty and, with Esme's help, had ensured Ella received round the clock care so Edward could focus on the immediate crisis on hand.
However, a week ago she had handed in her resignation to Edward with an apologetic and guilt-ridden smile.
It wasn't that she didn't want to care for Ella any more; she understood how much her services were needed now more than ever. But the burden of knowledge that something as catastrophic as Carmen's attempted suicide occurred on her watch, more importantly because of her oversight, was too great for her to bear. She no longer felt confident of her abilities as a caregiver, thus she deemed it best to take a break from her work until she conquered her doubts and inadequacies.
Edward tried to convince her that no one held her responsible in any way for what had happened. He apologized for being short with her on the phone the night of the incident, but nothing could alley her self-flagellation.
She promised to stay on until Edward had found her replacement, but she couldn't be persuaded to change her mind.
Esme, ever the supportive mother, had been vetting new candidates for him lately. She had short listed three for Edward to interview personally. This time around, the job requirement was stringent on a few key points. For one, in addition to having all the needed credentials, the candidate had to be willing to work as a live-in. Edward didn't want to constantly worry about what might happen if he got detained at work.
That evening he was set to meet with the first candidate.
As he parked his car in his driveway, he quickly skimmed through the resume and the summary notes his mother had given him the night before.
The candidate was forty-two.
Mother of one.
Recently widowed.
Late husband was in the construction business.
She held a bachelor's degree in sociology.
She had acquired extensive experience working with small children through a fifteen year long stint at running a daycare center.
There was a gap in her resume beginning two years prior. Edward made a quick note to inquire about it when they met.
Her name was Renee Swan.
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