Gable showed us how to record, pause, and rewind.”

“Show me how you turn it on,” I said.

Lily pointed at two plastic switches on the side of the gray box.

“You press red and play at the same time to record.

Then you press the black square button to stop.”

“Can I borrow it after you finish your homework?” I asked.

Lily looked up from her notebook, kicking the leg of her chair with her heel.

“Why do you need a tape recorder, Mom?”