Delighted CEO

rything I think I'll need for the next three days. In the children's section, I give in to the temptation to buy a portable crib for Archie, thinking that it must not be comfortable or safe to

" Lora turns to Becky immediately, her big blue eyes pleading. "Can I, Mommy? Now. I want it so bad!" Mommy sighs and nods. With permission, I grab a blue bowl, spoon, and milk. Lora settles down at the table as soon as I take the bags off and sits there eating her cereal while I finish putting away the groceries, Becky helping me with the task as best she can because of Archie in her lap. "How old is he?" I ask as I reach for the top of the cabinet, where I keep a jar of peanut butter. - Nine months - Becky answers and hands me the next item from the bag, a few boxes of tomato paste. I look out at the Watsons' backyard as Becky's answer sinks in. I'm tempted and curious to ask her more questions, but ever since she knocked on my door, I feel like she's been dodging me the whole time, restless and scared. We finish putting away the food in near silence - Archie and Lora's grumbling as they chew their cereal is all the noise that fills the room. - I bought him this too. - I show him the five-pointed star-shaped teether, still in its packaging. Archie immediately leans over his mother's lap toward the toy, all interested. - Hans, I don't even know how to thank you... - she whispers, taking the product from my hands and handing it to the boy. - Can we put up the lights, Uncle Hans? I turn to Lora, who is finishing her Froot Loops. Her mother looks like she's about to admonish her for her request, but I walk around the table and stand next to her, crouching down to her level. "Of course we can. I bought some other decorations. You like them, don't you?" She smiles and nods as she leaves her seat and walks slowly to the living room, where the bags of accessories have been laid out on the couch. Lora starts rummaging through the bags, a beautiful, sincere smile lighting up her face as she finds the decorations. I watch her for a second, still curious about her wish. I come back to the real world when Becky clears her throat. "Are you hungry?" Her eyes wander to my clock on the wall. "You left with only breakfast in your stomach." I nod. "A little. I should have something..." I step forward and Becky shakes her head from side to side.