After Ali yelled out “It’s ready!” I came to the kitchen and caught Joel standing at the table, staring at a handful of silverware. It’s nice to have him home again. Then we all sat down to a hot meal of grits, scrambled eggs (hard-scrambled the way Joel likes) and crisp bacon. Eli had turned the bacon while it cooked, Ali said. He did the job well, too. David skipped eating with us by staying in his room to get up the orange soda he had spilled on the carpet. Taking away his privileges seems to inspire him to stay on task. That foam spray won’t touch the soda, though, so I’ll add spot remover to the shopping list. Whoever thought that light beige carpet would do never had any kids.