His expression went dark. He said, “Come on, now. We had a deal about this.”

“Okay, how’s twenty dollars?” I felt like a mercenary.

“Here’s forty. You babysat for them all afternoon.”

“Archie, listen. That’s too much. But I’ll take it, only because I’m saving up for a Maserati.”

“You are?” A big grin spread across his face. He knew I was kidding. “I’m a Lamborghini fan myself. I always wanted an Italian sports car.”

“Someday! Maybe someday we’ll both get what we want. So tell me something.”

“Sure,” he said.

“What’s she like? This woman you’re seeing? How do we know she’s worthy?”

“Worthy? Of what? An old widowed professor with two kids and a ten-year-old Jeep?”

“Please! That’s crazy talk! God, it’s so weird how we see ourselves.”

“Sharon, that’s her name, is actually coming over tonight to watch the Lakers game with us. Why don’t you come over for a glass of wine? Starts at eight.”

“Good! I’ll bring popcorn! See ya in a bit!”

It was already getting dark and I hoped he couldn’t see how nervous I became. I must be losing my mind, I thought. Where did all that brave talk come from? I hurried inside as fast as my legs could carry me, leaned against the door, and took a deep breath. I must be crazy. What if Sharon was fabulous? What if I hated her? Why would my opinion matter anyway? Okay, I told myself, get it together. Then I sort of sauntered into the kitchen to get the boys and the stew as calmly as I could. Leslie was there with them.

“Hi, guys! Your dad’s home. Gather up your stuff, okay? I’ve got your dinner in the fridge. Are y’all all done with your homework?”

They nodded like bobblehead dolls.

“They’ve been at it like demons on a mission!” Leslie said.

“Want to check it?” Tyler said.

“If you want me to check it, it must be flawless!” I said. “But let me see anyway.”

Tyler handed me his math worksheet and his list of spelling words. The math was perfect. The spelling words were too easy. Or at least I thought so.

“Ask me anything,” he said.

“Spell night.”

“N. I. G. H. T. Same as all the other ‘ight’ words. Light, sight, tight, bright.”

“Bonus question. What’s the capital of Russia?” I said with a straight face.

Leslie giggled.

“Hey! No fair! That’s not in my homework!” he said.

“Okay. For twenty-five cents? Spell ‘aardvark’!” I said.

Tyler cut his eyes at Hunter and started to giggle.

“Did you say fart? Miss Holly! That’s a bad word!” Hunter said.

“Aardvark? Huh? Is that even a word?” Tyler said.

“It’s a aminal,” said Hunter, so adorably I didn’t correct him. “It eats ants and termites and lives in Africa.”

“Oh, yeah?”