Carlton

Mom had said she’d come at night, but she surprised me by coming earlier in the afternoon. Luckily, by the time she got back, Lexi and I had already finished lunch and cleaned up, and we were in the office doing some more learning, fully dressed.

“Should I go to the room?” Lexi asked nervously.

We stepped out of the office, but she didn’t move far from the doorway, staring at it as if it would bite her. I shook my head.

“There’s no reason for you to hide. I’m sure Dad must have told her about you, and I planned to let her know you’re babysitting for me, anyway. Have you ever met her before?”

“Well, Dad has, but she didn’t go to your dad’s office as much as you and your brother did, and I missed her at the hospital when I went with Dad to see how Ken was doing.”

“You can meet her, then. Come on.”

I headed for the door, with Lexi following slowly behind me. I opened the door, and Mom was there with Sam. He was standing while she held his hand, and in her other hand, she held a bag.

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