Younger Mrs. English was no fool. “Got your hands full, don’t you?”

“More than I can say.”

“I think the girls are lucky to have you.”

I thought that was funny since I had no clue how to be an aunt, but as Holly and Noelle came out, older hauling younger, I thanked her. Job finished, Holly left Noelle to drag along behind.

“We have a surprise coming this afternoon,” I said.

Noelle perked up. “Is Mommy coming home?”

“Daddy?” Holly asked.

Mentally I kicked myself. The “no clue” thing had reared its ugly head. “I’m sorry, but no. Something else you’ll like though.”

“Not someone.” Holly was paying attention.

“Comes with a someone. You’ll see.”

“I’m hungry,” Noelle said, and I waited for Holly to tell her she wasn’t. Holly seemed to associate snacking with the onset of a fatal disease. But today she didn’t say a word.

At home I heated caramel sauce in the microwave and pulled out a plate of fruit I’d cut up. I added pretzels and set everything on the counter, dipping an apple slice into the sauce in demonstration.

Noelle dug right in. Holly sucked on a pretzel, but even she gave in eventually and started to dip.

By the time there was a knock at the front door, the girls had snacked, changed clothes and done their homework. I knew once Bismarck arrived, they would be unlikely to cooperate with me.

They were happily watching their rationed half hour of television, something featuring rainbow-hued animals with squeaky voices, so neither tried to beat me to the door. In fact they were so deep in TV la-la land, I doubted they even heard the knock.

Teo on my doorstep felt like a gift, even though his visit was business. I had insisted on paying for Bismarck’s services. The payment was a barrier we could hide behind, probably forever.

“Biz.” I scratched his ears. “You’re going to like it here.”

“How did your nieces take the news?”

I looked up. He wore the same shirt he’d worn earlier, but he’d changed into sweatpants. I wondered if he was afraid the girls might find his prosthesis frightening, and I felt what was now a familiar pang. Did children ask him questions? Did adults turn away?

He was waiting for an answer. I managed a smile. “I wanted Biz to be a surprise. Will you please come in until we’re all settled?” I paused. “Unless you have to be somewhere else?”

“I’m not planning to drop my best friend and run. We’ll see how he does. He’s not a youngster anymore. He may not take to this the way we want him to.”

He and Bismarck came in, Biz by his side, and I led them both into the great room where the girls’ show was in its final minutes.

“Here’s my surprise,” I said. “This is Teo Santiago, and his dog, Bismarck.”

The girls rose at exactly the same moment. Holly grabbed Noelle and pulled her close, as if to protect her.