“Yeah. Jeans and, like, a sweatshirt. You were all sweaty and smelled like grass.”

Jessica shrugged. “I was just…I couldn’t sleep. I took a walk.”

“Good morning.”

Jessica started. “Good morning, Mom. Want my toast? I can make some more.”

“Sure, Jess. Thanks.”

“Looking good, Mom.”

“Thanks.” Her mother smiled, smoothing the lapel of her new suit with one hand as she took the toast from Jessica. She sat down at the table.

“Wow, you’re allowed to eat breakfast with us?” Beth asked. “I thought Aerospace Oklahoma frowned on family time.”

“Hush, Beth. I have something to say to your sister.”

“Uh-oh. From the toaster into the frying pan.”

“Beth.”

Beth stuffed toast into her mouth, shutting herself up. Jessica pushed down the toaster lever slowly, her mind racing. She turned and sat down across from her mom, trying to think of what could have given her away. They had left nothing to chance. She always left after the blue time started—it took Jonathan a few minutes to get here from his house, anyway—and was back in bed before it ended. Maybe Mom had found a dirty shoe, or an open window, or taken fingerprints from the tops of buildings downtown….

Beth. Jessica glared at her little sister. She must have told Mom and Dad about Jessica being dressed on Friday night. Beth blinked innocently.

“Your father and I have been talking about your punishment this morning.”

“He’s awake already?” Beth asked.

“Beth—,” Mom started, then paused. “Actually he was awake early, but he went straight back to sleep. We were both tossing and turning a lot last night. And we both agreed that we should have thought about your punishment a little longer before we decided on anything.”

Jessica looked at her mother warily. “Does this mean worse punishment or less?”

“Yeah,” Beth said. “Are you guys caving?”

“We’re thinking that you’re new to this town, and you probably feel a need to be accepted. What you did was wrong, Jess, but you weren’t trying to hurt anyone.”

“You are caving!”

“Beth, go get ready for school.”

Beth didn’t move, just sat there with her mouth wide open. Jessica couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing. Dad was always the one who gave in, or tried to, but Mom always stopped him, explaining that any punishment open to negotiation was meaningless, which was something they apparently taught you in engineering school.

“We’re also thinking that you need to make new friends now. You need stability and support. Keeping you locked up in your room isn’t healthy. It could lead to more trouble later on.”

“So, what’s the deal? I’m not grounded?”

“You’re still grounded, but you can go out to visit friends one night a week. As long as we know exactly where you are at all times.”