Sandra and Andrew had always built their lives around food, family, and a shared passion for Italian cuisine. Their story began in culinary school, where their mutual love for regional dishes sparked a connection. After graduation, they poured their heart and soul into a small trattoria, which quickly became a local favorite. Their success, however, was only sweetened when they welcomed their son, Matteo, into their lives.
As Matteo grew, the couple’s restaurant began gaining even more recognition, attracting long lines and weeks of reservations. But with long hours at the trattoria and a growing family, Sandra found herself stretched thin.
“Something needs to change. We need help with Matteo,” she said to Andrew one evening, folding laundry between bites of leftover pasta.
Not wanting to leave their son with a stranger, they hired Anthea, the teenage daughter of their neighbors. Anthea was familiar and always seemed available, so she was a natural choice to pick up Matteo from daycare and care for him until they returned home.
Andrew had one simple request: “He’s a quiet boy, just keep him happy and safe.”
At first, everything seemed to go smoothly. Sandra hated leaving Matteo in someone else’s care, but with Anthea close by, it brought her some comfort. Matteo didn’t seem to mind, or so she thought.
However, a week later, Sandra received an unexpected call from Matteo’s daycare teacher, Mrs. Deborah.
“I don’t want to alarm you,” Mrs. Deborah began, “but I’ve noticed something. Matteo is always happy and full of energy when you drop him off, but when Anthea comes to pick him up, he starts crying. This has happened several times this week.”
Sandra’s heart dropped. Matteo never cried, even if they were late picking him up. He loved daycare, and she’d never seen him upset before. This news triggered every alarm bell in her mind.
That night, after Matteo was asleep, Sandra carefully asked him, “Do you like daycare?”
“Yes,” he replied, his face lighting up. “Patrick and Freddy are my best friends. And Mrs. Deborah is nice.”
Sandra pressed further, “What about Anthea? Is she nice to you?”
Matteo’s response was a simple, silent nod. His eyes avoided hers, and his usual bright energy was nowhere to be found.
Sandra’s instincts kicked in. The next morning, she called Anthea. “I heard from his teacher that Matteo cries when you pick him up,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Anthea laughed it off, brushing the concern aside. “Oh, he probably just misses you. He’ll warm up to me.”
But Sandra wasn’t convinced. That night, she and Andrew decided to leave work early to observe.
From a distance, they watched as Matteo played in the sandbox. When Anthea arrived, Matteo asked for “five more minutes,” but she snapped at him, yanking him away from the playground without hesitation.
Sandra felt her stomach twist. That moment was all it took for her to know something was wrong.
They followed Anthea and Matteo home, parking a few houses away. What they saw next broke their hearts. Matteo was left alone outside, sitting in the yard, quietly tracing shapes in the dirt. Anthea was nowhere to be seen, preoccupied inside, doing her makeup and recording herself on her phone.
“Andrew,” Sandra whispered, “She doesn’t even know he’s out there.”
They couldn’t stand by any longer. Sandra rushed out of the car, and Matteo ran into her arms. Inside, Anthea was caught off guard.
“You’re home early!” she stammered.
Andrew’s tone was firm. “No more excuses. Pack your things. You’re done here.”
That evening, Sandra thanked Mrs. Deborah for her concern and support.
“I’m so glad you trusted me,” Mrs. Deborah said. “If you’d asked, I could’ve connected you with some professional nannies in town.”
That’s when they met Gabriella.
Gabriella, a professional nanny, was a world away from Anthea. She was kind, attentive, and yes, a little more expensive. But she was worth every penny. Matteo took to her immediately. His energy and joy returned, and Sandra found herself calling Mrs. Deborah every week for updates.
Then, one afternoon, Gabriella stopped by the restaurant after daycare with Matteo. Sandra and Andrew shared a quiet dinner with their son, toasting to a new tradition—a family meal after closing.
Every Friday since, Gabriella brings Matteo to the restaurant after daycare, and the family enjoys a quiet meal together in the warm glow of their trattoria, surrounded by the comforting aroma of garlic and rosemary.
What started as a family business has now become something more. It’s a place built on love, trust, and the happiness of a little boy whose smile is back where it belongs.
