“I gather. Mom called me last night with all this advice—saying I should sing if I get frustrated and tempted to yell. As if I would yell. Anyway, she said it would lighten the mood and get them to listen.”

“Oh my god, yes, she really liked that course that the pre-school offered. She thought it was brilliant.” Fiona yelled out, “Luna, Luna, Mommy is leaving now.”

“Bye Mommy.” Luna came into the living room, wearing just a pajama t-shirt and underwear, her guitar slung on, overwhelming her small frame. She was singing a song and strumming off-tune.

“Go,” Jake said to his sister.

“Yes, don’t worry,” Audrey said, bouncing Thomas on her hip.

“You can strap Thomas in the stroller, and then both of you can get Luna ready. You can give Thomas a book. His books are over there.” Fiona kissed both children goodbye, checked she had her keys and phone, and left.

As the door closed behind her, Jake said, “Sisters, no faith. She doesn’t understand that getting everybody on board for a marketing strategy can be like herding cats. I can definitely handle getting two kids out the door.”

Audrey put Thomas down on the floor with a fire truck and started zooming it around him. Jake unfolded the stroller.

“Uncle Jake, teach me guitar!” Luna said.

“I can’t right now,” Jake said.

Luna pouted.

“We have to get ready for school. I see you started getting dressed,” he said.

“I hate school. I want to play with you. You told me you’d teach me guitar.”

“You love school. You see all your friends there.” He pulled out her chair. “Here, come finish your breakfast, and I’ll go get the rest of your clothes.”

Luna climbed into the wooden slanted highchair, and Jake pushed the chair in.

Jake looked at the clock. “I’m sorry, I thought I’d just be picking them up. I don’t want you to be late for work.”

“I have time.” Some time anyway. “Do you have a work meeting?”

“I was hoping to do a final prep before my meeting presenting to the entire label.” He looked chagrined.

Luna asked for more milk. Jake poured some and then left to get Luna’s clothes. Audrey sat down at the table with Luna, holding Thomas on her lap. Luna eyed her warily and didn’t eat her bagel.

Audrey picked up a little bunny in a pretty flowery yellow dress that was lying discarded on the table and said in a high-pitched voice as the bunny, “Hello Luna.”

“Bunnies don’t talk,” Luna said.

“I talk,” Audrey said in a funny squeaky voice, while moving the bunny forward, with her one free hand. “I like to talk. I also eat. That bagel looks yummy. Can I have some?”

“No,” Luna said smiling. “It’s my bagel.” She took a bite.

“Is it good?”

Luna nodded yes, chewing.