Sleeping through the six o’clock feeding, Decker thought, Some mother I’d make. But by seven-thirty, he had showered, shaved, dressed, and felt almost human again. Rina had fallen back asleep, so Decker took his tallit and tefillin out of the bedroom, opting to say his morning prayers in the living room. Standing over Hannah’s crib, watching her snooze, he had a lot to be thankful for and felt God should know about it. He had just about finished winding the leather straps of his phylacteries over the boxes when Hannah began to stir, cheeks flushed and a look of displeasure stamped across the tiny features. Within seconds the unhappy physiognomy was howling in protest. Decker took off his prayer shawl and stowed it in the velvet bag, then picked up his daughter.

“Do we have something to say?”

Hannah turned her face toward the sound of his voice, eyes slowly opening.

“Good morning. Did you have a nice nap?”

The baby didn’t answer and continued to focus through sleepy eyes. Decker felt something on his arm and looked at his jacket sleeve. A damp spot had darkened the material from gray to black. “I’ll make a deal with you, Hannah Rosie. I’ll change your diaper if you don’t give me any surprises.”

The baby continued to stare.

“Yeah, as if you give a hoot. Your clothes don’t have to be dry-cleaned.” He gently placed her in the Portacrib and changed her soaked diaper, tickling her tummy when he was done. “Feeling better?”

The baby let out a sudden howl. Quickly, Decker swooped her up. “We certainly do have opinions.”

Nora walked in. “Tell me the truth, Sergeant. Did you wake her up?”

“Absolutely not. She woke up of her own accord. I just changed her diaper and was slow to pick her up. That didn’t set well with her.”

Nora held out her hands. “Go get some breakfast.”

“Boys get off to school okay?”

“Sure did. Your big girl made them breakfast and left with them in the car ’bout half an hour ago. There’s a box of cornflakes on the counter, milk’s in the fridge.”

“Thanks.”

The front door opened, and Cindy waltzed through. She threw her arms around her father’s neck and kissed his cheek. “Good morning, Paterfamilias. May I offer you some victuals for your daytime fare?” She noticed Nora holding Hannah. “Well, look who’s up?” She plucked the baby from the nurse’s arms and started walking toward the kitchen. “How’s the sanest person in the family? Would you like your sugar water?”

Decker’s eyes went from Cindy to Nora. “She’s in a good mood.”

Nora laughed and began cleaning the living room. “Between your wife and Cindy, I don’t have to do a thing. Easiest money I ever made.”

“Don’t complain.”

“Who’s complaining?” The nurse laughed again.