“the nanny” was just convenient, for all of us. I could write while Beth was in school, then pick her up and make her a snack, supervise homework and get dinner started, all before Ronnie got home from teaching. TJ was always the last home, but he made it most nights for dinner.

And then, after Beth was asleep, we’d all huddle under a blanket on the couch and watch a movie, or sometimes we’d play games or read our books or do something on our laptops, and usually two or three nights a week, I’d end up in their bed, at least for a while.

It was a good routine, one we’d fallen easily into over the past couple years. Was that all going to change now?

“Knock-knock.”

I startled at the sound of the little voice piping up behind the shower curtain and then heard the unmistakable sound of Beth peeing.

“Who’s there?” I gave her the perfunctory response.

“Interrupting cow.”

Oh boy. This one again. The kid had a thing for knock-knock jokes lately.

“Inter-”

“MOO!” She poked her head around the curtain, grinning, her hair a dark, cloudy mess around her face.

“Moo right back atcha.” I flicked water at her. She made a face and quickly closed the curtain.

“I want waffles!”

“Did you flush and wash?” I reminded her, grabbing the shampoo.

“And bacon. And sausages. And Pop-Tarts. Strawberry ones. With pink sprinkles.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t interrupting pig at the door?” I lathered my hair, wincing as the water turned colder when she flushed and turned on the sink.

“OINK!” she agreed, peeking around the shower curtain again. “Can I have waffles?”

“Eggos?” I asked hopefully.

“Not homemade?”

I turned off the shower and opened the curtain. She had such a pretty pout-

which was probably why she usually got just what she wanted.