I stopped mid-step as Seth’s voice drifted out into the quiet air.

He was using that overly relaxed, easygoing tone he always used when he wanted to end a family argument without answering direct questions.

“You need to stop stressing about the eighteen-hundred-dollar monthly bill, Heather,” Seth said.

“The daycare administrator called me at noon while I was driving the kids over here,” Heather said.

Her voice was fast and thin, trailing off into a long sigh.

“She said if I don’t pay the three-hundred-dollar registration deposit by five o’clock today, they’re giving all three spots to the family on the waitlist.”