Unconcerned, she asked "What is it?"

It was when Jeremy answered "It's about last night, after we were all in bed. I was on my way to the bathroom, and, well, I heard and saw something in your room that I think we need to talk about."

On hearing that, Dawn turned almost paper white before nearly cutting her finger while slicing bread for the toast. She turned to look at him, and it was all Jeremy could do to keep a solemn expression on his face, instead of showing the delight and anticipation he felt on seeing her reaction.

"When… What was it?"

"That's what I want to talk to you about. I don't think it's something we should talk about here or now, not with it being supper pretty soon, and somebody maybe coming in while we're talking."

Dawn managed a shaky nod of her head, and he could hear the nervousness in her voice when she said "Uh, yeah, that's probably a good idea."

After that, Jeremy pretty much had to take charge of getting supper ready: after Dawn absently buttered the same piece of bread three times, Jeremy decided that he'd better be the one to put the garlic salt on it – at least, if there was any hope of anyone being able to actually eat it.

Once everything was ready, all of them sat down to eat. The other kids noticed how quiet Dawn was, but nothing more; with her locked deep in her own thoughts, it fell to Jeremy to maintain what little discipline was necessary at the table. Afterwards, the other kids readily tended to their assigned jobs: it being their turn, Brittany, Joanna, and Colby took care of putting away any leftovers (after setting aside meals for their parents), clearing the table, and doing the dishes. The next night it would be up to Bethany, Carla, and Tracy to do it. Jeremy had once heard his parents tell another couple "We have a dishwasher, garbage disposal, and all of the labor-saving appliances we'll ever need. Eight of them, in fact!", followed by the other couples laughter.