Fried seafood coma had set in, and without argument I maneuvered them into the bathroom for sponge baths and next into their bedroom for nightgowns. I said an abbreviated bedtime prayer, then tucked Noelle in first.

“I guess I don’t have to offer a story,” I told her. “Grandpa read you one already.”

She reached up and put her arms around my neck when I kissed her cheek. I smiled at her, and she smiled back. It was the single best moment of my day.

Since Holly had sleep to make up for, I’d hoped she might already be working on it, but I found her on her back staring wide-eyed at the ceiling.

Emboldened by my success with her sister, I perched on the bedside as I pulled up her covers. “You’ve had a long day. You’ll sleep well tonight.”

“I have allergies. Mommy always gives me medicine.”

My mother hadn’t said anything about allergies, and I hadn’t noticed sneezing or sniffling. Still, it was possible the wind might have stirred up pollen. I thought I remembered something about children with allergies and sleep problems. Also something about them being especially cranky. Of course I might have been making that up since it fit the situation.

I pushed her hair back from her forehead, and lay my hand across it to be sure she wasn’t feverish. She didn’t wince. “You often have problems with allergies? Hard to breathe?” I tried to think. “Itching? Problems hearing?”

She shook her head.

“Do you know what your mother gives you?”

She shook her head again, making a rut in her pillow. “She keeps it in the medicine cabinet.”

“Your eyes look fine. Your nose seems clear. But if you start having symptoms, I’ll find out what to do.”

She forced a sneeze. I laughed and ruffled her hair. “You’ll feel fine in the morning. I promise.”

She was staring at me now instead of the ceiling. I might not be good at this parenting thing, but I knew that look. She wanted to say something.

“Do you want to talk about what’s worrying you? Because I think something has to be, or you’d be sleeping better.”

She didn’t respond.

I probed a little more. “I know you must miss your mom. And I think you’re a little worried about her being gone.”

The words spilled out, as if Holly could no longer contain them.

“Can you find Daddy and make him come home?”

I hadn’t been prepared for that. I fiddled with her covers, but I couldn’t delay for long. “I don’t know how to do that. His job is pretty important, and it’s not easy to reach him. Your mommy will have to do that when she gets home.”

I leaned over to kiss her cheek, and at least she didn’t turn away. I was sure something more needed to be said. “I promise, your daddy is just fine. He’s out in the water somewhere protecting all of us. You don’t have to worry about him. He doesn’t want you to worry. I know that for sure.”