Preparations

“Mom! Wake up!”

Aaron bolted upright, clutching the sheets around his awkwardly juggling chest. It took him a few seconds to orient himself.

He looked at the alarm clock. Sarah was 15 minutes early.

Aaron slumped back under the covers, pulling them over his head. “You’re early. Give me my fifteen minutes.” He paused. “Did you call me ‘Mom’?”

Sarah started pokingher father’s leg. “Yes. Get. Up. Mom,” poking his leg with her index finger with each word. “You said that you signed something at the police station and you don’t want the cop to know, right? So a I want to get used to calling you mom so I don’t screw it up when he shows.

“Now get up! We have work to do “

Sarah pulled the sheets off her father. Groaning, he curled up in a ball, trying to ignore her. “Go away.”

“Mom! This will take time! Don’t you want to look good?”

“No,” Aaron said flatly. “I want to look like myself.”

“In a few days. C’mon! I’m not going to let you get back to sleep! I’m up! You will be too!”