Nobody cracked a smile.

“Or maybe you go upstairs and play, before you come back down to do homework?”

Noelle looked down at her feet. “We’re tired.”

“Do you need naps?”

Holly, who was still staring at me, narrowed her eyes in answer.

“Would you like to go down to the playground?” On my jog I’d discovered a small one beside the community pool. “Or would you like to go for a swim?”

“TV.” Noelle came over and set her glass on the counter, but while she was there she took a sleeve of string cheese.

Encouraged, I compromised, which meant I hadn’t been completely brainwashed by the Arlie Gracey School of Parenting. “Tell you what. While I’m taking care of you, you can watch a half hour of TV after school, but you have to agree on what you’ll watch or take turns choosing. And just half an hour.”

The girls looked at each other. I’d already noticed they practiced the art of silent communication with skill and cunning. When Holly named another show I’d never heard of, Noelle nodded, as if it was her idea, too.

I was beginning to see how my sister had been able to work at home in the afternoons. “How was school? I know Noelle heard a story about a cat who wants to be a raccoon.”

Silence.

“What did you do, Holly?”

“Who cares?”

“I do if you want to tell me.”

“I don’t.”

“Why don’t you finish your drinks down here, and then go upstairs and play until your show comes on? You can take snacks up with you if you’re careful.”

“Did you buy cookies?” Noelle sounded hopeful.

“Didn’t think of it.” A more precise reply would have been: didn’t think of it because I didn’t want you to have them.

“Or potato chips?”

“We’ll be eating early, so you won’t starve. You can do homework after your show.”

Holly set her full glass of juice on the counter and left, muttering under her breath. Noelle waited until her sister was out of sight, then grabbed some crackers and followed in her wake.

The afternoon dragged. There was half an hour in front of the television. Another half hour when they sat and stared at the blank screen in protest. Eventually, homework. I scraped carrots and cut up red peppers for all of us to snack on while I made dinner. I snacked alone.

Dinner itself was a wash. Each girl ate just enough to keep from passing out. Before they left the table, I got a pad and pen and sat down again.

“Tell me what you’d like for dinner.”

Nobody spoke.

I prompted. “I hear you like macaroni and cheese.”

Noelle gave a tiny nod. Holly glared as I put that on my list.

I pointed at her. “Holly, your turn, and don’t shrug. We’re staying here until I hear your ideas.”

She looked mutinous and didn’t reply.

Noelle looked at me, then at her sister. “She likes hot dogs.”