A Friday

Mom and Grandma were coming back early from their Texas-Louisiana road trip before the hurricane arrived. They would return Saturday morning.
Puck was busy getting into everything, as usual. Linnea distracted him with playtime outdoors, Cheerios, and knick-knacks from Carrie’s room while Collette tutored Francis. He was anxious to finish school as soon as possible in order to begin his second day of yard work at the neighbor’s house across the street.
“It’s a permanent job,” he said proudly.
Later that afternoon, Dad returned from work.
“What are we going to make for dinner, Carrie?” he called to her in the living room.
She was deep into her studies, earphones drowning out the noise of the house. “I don’t know, Dad,” she moaned. “When is Mom getting back? I’m so tired of taking care of everything around here.”
As Dad backed out of the driveway to get the pizzas, Puck waved at him heartily, happy to be out in the world, as always.