Rebecca stood in the doorway to the living room, looking at Katie and Morgan, who were fast asleep on the couch, the television playing in the background. Neither had had the foresight or perhaps the desire to lie all the way down so they were slumped toward each other, heads lolling forward, looking more like victims of a double homicide than like co-viewers of a Netflix movie. In fact just now they looked almost like sisters, even though in daylight they bore very little resemblance to each other: Morgan small and straight-haired, elfin, except lacking perhaps in the grace that descriptor implied, and Katie sturdier, curlier, with more heft. When Alexa had come home she’d gone straight upstairs. The old Alexa might have come in and sat down and watched a little bit of whatever Morgan was watching.

Rebecca switched off the TV, and now she could hear a soft knocking at the front door. She looked at her watch—it was nine thirty; this would be Sherri, coming to pick up Katie on her way home from work.

“They’re both asleep,” she said, opening the door. “Come in.” She opened the door wider, and Sherri stepped into the foyer. Ponytail, khakis, blue polo shirt with the derma-you insignia over the pocket.

“Sorry,” Sherri whispered. “I actually thought I might get out a little early tonight, but they kept me all the way through.” She reached up and tightened her ponytail by pulling the two halves of it in opposite directions. It was a funny gesture—more that of a high school track athlete than of a suburban mother.

“Why don’t we let them sleep a little while?” Rebecca said. She led Sherri to the living room and pointed at the couch. “You wouldn’t know it by how they’re sitting, but I think they’re actually comfortable. I’d hate to disturb them. You could stay for a drink? I’ve got some really nice tequila just begging to be mixed with seltzer and a little bit of lime juice. We’ll sit outside, by the pool.” Sherri hesitated and Rebecca said, “Come on! Please? You’d be doing me a favor; I’ll drink far too much if I open this tequila when I’m on my own.”

“Okay,” said Sherri finally. She set her lips together and nodded her head sharply, as though giving herself permission. “Okay, I will. That sounds really nice. Thank you.”