She slid backward and rose up on her knees. “I wanted to be sure there was nothing under here to attract bugs.”

“You should have started your own franchise. You’d have been more successful than Dad.”

She wasn’t in the mood for backhanded compliments. “Have you heard from your sister?”

“No. I got the girls off to school, though, and I brought a form for you to sign.” I produced it, along with a pen, and she did just that.

“Be prepared,” she said when she had finished. “The girls will be bringing home paperwork to sign almost every day.”

“Thanks. I’m not prepared for a lot of things, like making lunches. There wasn’t much in the house, and Holly swears they always buy lunch at school. Did you know that?”

“The lunches I packed last week were healthier.”

I made a mental note to call the school about lunch tickets. “I even met Holly’s teacher. She was out front welcoming students.” I didn’t tell her about our conversation.

“I’ll get your father up before you leave. He’s supposed to stay awake as much as possible.”

“What else can he look forward to?”

“He starts cardiac rehabilitation on Wednesday. At first he’ll go three times a week. They work on exercises and monitor him while he’s doing them. That goes on for a while.”

“When can he go back to work?”

“No sooner than six weeks. Longer if I have my way.” Mom got to her feet, using the bed to help herself stand. I felt a pang. This was a woman who never wanted to show even minor weakness. My parents were aging and needed a stress-free environment. Instead they had a daughter on the run.

Since Wendy was near the top of my list of reasons to be here, I suggested we go downstairs and make a cup of tea. She followed without argument. In the kitchen I put water in the kettle and got the tea caddy so we could choose. When I had everything, including cookies that I found in the cupboard, I brought the cups to the table and sat across from her.

“What can I do to help, other than watch the girls?” I asked, knowing what her answer would be.

“Bring your sister home.”

“I wish I could.” I reached across the table and put my hand on hers for a moment. Mom and I are short-term touchers.

She looked tired. “I’ve tried calling, but she doesn’t pick up. I guess she’s trying to work out whatever it is and spare us. I can’t believe the problems with airlines these days. Every time I open the paper there’s another horror story.”

I’d been working out what to say, and now I had no choice but to launch right in.

“It’s not the airline’s fault, Mom. It’s not a simple question of scheduling. Wendy ran into a problem while she was away, and she has to stay in...California until she can resolve it. Except for childcare, she doesn’t want help. She needs to work out whatever this is on her own, and she’ll let us know when she has. In the meantime, she doesn’t want to talk to anybody.”