The kitchen held three plates, four glasses, medicine stored according to its instructions, and a grocery list attached to the refrigerator.

Lily carried spoons to a drawer one at a time.

Maya told Claire which shelf she wanted for the plates.

“Bossy already,” Claire said.

Maya smiled.

“I am learning.”

There was no one in the room waiting to turn that small decision into an argument about control.

Maya placed the signed parenting schedule with the household papers.