Without a doubt, he meant Jessie. Elsie had been with him for ages and had witnessed him and Jessie through thick and thin. She had once believed they were meant to be but she was mistaken. Years later, Albert hired her again to care for his daughter, while Jessie had moved on with a new beau.

Elsie hesitated outside. She knew Albert preferred privacy in his study.

Standing by the door, she reported, "Yes, sir; she left at eight on the dot."

Outside, the car engine revved. Albert listened in silence for a moment. Then Elsie continued, "Miss Green's had it rough too. You...

You should perhaps just let go!"

Albert took a drag of his smoke.

Slowly, he inquired, "Didn't you tell Jeslyn that Jessie would be her new mom?"

Elsie blushed. “I didn't know she had a new boyfriend."

Albert fell silent, snuffing out the cigarette. In a hushed tone, he instructed, "Go, keep Jeslyn company. She's always jittery when she wakes. She needs someone there."

As they spoke, a cry echoed from the little girl's room.

Albert shook his head, rising from his seat and striding toward his daughter's quarters.

Elsie pondered briefly but stayed put.

In the children's room, Jeslyn awoke to find Jessie gone. Enraged, she wailed and clenched her tiny fists.

Leaning against the doorframe, Albert sighed.

Once her cries subsided, he murmured, “Miss Green's gone, sweetie."

Jeslyn burst into tears, asking, “Why didn't you wake me? What if she's out on a date?"

Albert's gaze held depth.

After a moment, he murmured softly, “She's her own person. I can't keep her from seeing someone else."

Jeslyn was puzzled.

He draped a coat over her, worried she might catch a cold.