Linda wondered why she was suspicious...her kids were suddenly being helpful and well-behaved. She ate breakfast quietly.
"Anything going on at work you want to tell us about?" Jon asked as he brought her some food.
"No...nothing really exciting," she said. "It's just...work."
"Oh..." Jon said, sounding disappointed. He started talking to Zoe about her schoolwork.
Linda found her mind wandering as she tried to figure out why this good behavior bothered her so much.
"Earth to Mom..." Zoe said.
She blinked. "Sorry..." she apologized.
All three of her kids looked a bit disappointed in her.
"I said, it's almost time to go...we don't want to be late," Zoe said.
Linda dropped the three off at their school before heading to work herself. Her day passed quickly, as it usually did. When she returned home, she found that Rebecca Fine was there talking to Jon and Zoe. She stopped abruptly as Linda walked in. Zoe looked at Linda again. "Where have you been? I thought you wanted to go shopping with me. I waited for you for over half an hour."
Linda was surprised. She'd completely forgotten about that. She had planned to leave early and pick them up. "I'm so sorry....I totally forgot..."
Jon looked equally disappointed in his mother. "And you didn't answer your phone.."
She took it out. "Oh...I forgot to unmute it..." She felt a bit embarassed. It wasn't like her to be so forgetful.
Jon shook his head. "I'm going to go make dinner," he said.
Linda looked confused, and a bit uncomfortable with the disapproving looks of her children. Then she turned to Rebecca Fine. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I left my bag here yesterday, and I came to pick it up. I figured you wouldn't be home till the afternoon," she said. "Zoe and Jon were wondering where you were, so I stayed for a bit." She paused. "If you don't mind me saying so...they are very responsible. You probably don't have to worry much, having them around."
"Well..." Linda started.
The two started to talk.
A few minutes later, Jon and Zoe heard the door close. They looked up and saw Linda sitting on the couch, the TV on, apparently watching some program. "She could at least help," Zoe said. "After forgetting about today."
"I'm sure she feels bad about it. She doesn't usually do things like this," Jon said. "She's probably not sure what to say to us."
"I guess..." Zoe said, helping chop some vegetables. The two continued to work on the meal together, Jon directing her on how she could help, until it was nearly ready.
"I'll go get Mikey,' Zoe said.
"Mom?" Jon called. No response. He walked over, and shook her gently. "It's time for dinner."
Linda blinked, She was sitting on the couch, facing the TV, which was showing some random program. Hadn't Jon just started making dinner? She had the oddest feeling she'd missed something.
