Chapter 4

MARY SMITH'S ALARM CLOCK went off at 5:30 AM, but She was already wake.

Wide awake, thinking about, of all things, how to make a porcupine costume for herdaughter Ashley's school play. What would she possibly use for porcupine needles?

And it had been quite a late night, but she never seemed to be able to shut off themental ticker tape that was her “to do, ”list.

They needed to more peanut butter, Kid's Crest, Zyrtec syrup, and one of thoselittle bulbs for the bathroom nightlight. Brendan had soccer practice at three, whichstarted at the same time as - and 15 miles away from - Ashley's tap class. Figure thatone out. Adams sniffles could have gone either way in the night, and Mary could notafford another sick day. Speaking of which, she needed to put in for some second shiftsat her job.

And this was the quiet part of the day. It wasn't long before she was at the stove,calling out orders and fielding the usual spate of morning-time needs.

“Brendan, help your sister tie her shoes, please. Brendan, I'm talking to you. ”

“Mommy, my socks feel weird.”

“Can I take Cleo to school? Can I please? Please, Mommy? Oh, please?”

“Yes, but you'll have to get her out of the dryer. Brendan, what did I ask you todo?”

Mary expertly flipped a portion of perfectly fluffed scrambled eggs onto each oftheir plates just as the bread in the four-slice toaster popped up.

“Breakfast!”

While the two older ones dug in, she took Adam to his room and dressed him inhis red overalls and a sailor shirt. She cooed to him as she carried him back out to hishigh chair.