"We are born astride a grave - WaynesWorldStage.com

One of them returned and handed me tenbucks. I swear to God.When I got home, my shirt felt wet. Ilooked in the mirror and blood was tricklingdown my neck. It was just a scratch, but mywhole body began to shake. In truth, I had somemoney put away at home. I paid the sitter andcalled a car service to take her home.It was becoming obvious that I needed alive-in sitter. This time, I put an ad in The VillageVoice. It stated that I was a single male parent. Ireceived hundreds of responses.The biggest problem was that anyonelooking for a job of this nature, for very little paybut free room and board, was more than likelydestitute. I couldn’t expect much in the way ofreferences. I wasn't looking for an experiencednanny, just someone warm, kind andunderstanding, someone who loved children. Myrent was only $87 per month. I could work for afew hours each day and still make ends meet. Ijust needed someone to be with Michele those fewhours.I held dozens of interviews. I hiredsomeone. I don't remember whom. Over the nextfew years they came and went on a routine basis.Every time Michele got attached to someone, she172