After she smoothed the covers over the sleeping boys, Hilary always drew in a deep breath before heading down the long uncarpeted hall. It didn’t matter which stairs she headed for, there was always a strange echo as she walked along; each footstep articulation with precision, and then a slight tip-tap-ping afterward. She never failed to turn around after the first few steps. She never saw anything behind her.
(deep breath) I hope I make it without any problems.
The Mitchells called her at least three times a month, and though she always hesitated to accept, she always went. Part of it was she really loved the twins. They were bright, polite, and funny in equal measure. And they were not shy about telling her how much they liked her. But there was something else, too. Hilary was a stubborn girl. You couldn’t tell from the set of her jaw
Dont worry the kids are fine, they just cant wait to see you back home soon.
Hilary and the kids stayed up all day watching television. Adam lasted through the first hour but was fast asleep in Hilary’s lap before the second. Andrew stayed awake until nearly the end, but his eyes kept closing through the commercials. At the final ad for vitamins, he fell asleep for good.