October 14

Puck had a present waiting for him when he arrived at the house that day: a Buzz Lightyear suit for Halloween. He put it on right away and stormed through the house like the space ranger that he now was.
“He looks extra squishable in it,” said Carrie.
Perhaps the following year he would be Doctor Who. But when two-piece suits and trench coats weren’t available for babies, one-piece Buzz Lightyear twelve-dollar Aldi finds, were.

For the rest of the morning, Collette worked with Francis on his algebra, while Linnea wrote a paper on Buddhism for her Thursday class. Joe was at midterms all day long. And Carrie was already deep into writing papers again.

Meanwhile, the rain still misted.

In the afternoon, Collette chauffeured Francis to the engine repair shop for a wheel for Creole’s go-cart before dropping him off at the Coca-Cola’s house.

She returned to find Linnea just back from gymnastics with Mandarin, before departing for youth group: a bonfire and pumpkin-carving contest.

And Rose was at the Pepper’s house for the entire week to house-sit and dog-sit. She was pleased as punch, to borrow a Mom-phrase. What could Rose want more than some doggies, cable to watch the Food Network, and free food?

That night, Collette fell asleep listening to the rain fall.