The children looked between them, suddenly nervous.
Grace took a breath. “Because they were bored. And tired. And sad. And because learning makes them forget that, even for a little while.”
Daniel looked at Evan and Ella.
“When was the last time you laughed like that?” he asked softly.
They shrugged.
He turned back to Grace. “You’re a housekeeper.”
“Yes,” she said. “But that’s not all I am.”
After asking the children to go rest, Daniel invited Grace into his office.
She sat stiffly on the edge of the chair.
“I won’t fire you,” he said calmly. “But I want the truth.”
Grace swallowed. “I always wanted to be a teacher.”
Daniel waited.
“I grew up in a small town,” she continued. “My parents worked three jobs just to keep food on the table. College was never an option. When my mother got sick, I dropped out of high school to help. Teaching stayed a dream.”
“So you became a housekeeper,” Daniel said.
“Yes,” Grace nodded. “But I never stopped learning. I read. I study online. I volunteer at the library when I can. When I saw your children… I recognized that emptiness.”
Daniel leaned back, stunned.
“Do you know,” he said quietly, “how many tutors I’ve hired for them?”
Grace shook her head.