After a too-short bit, Rose ran up. “Dad! Mom! Great news!”

Everett tensed. “Great” news tended to come with complications that either involved lots of work for him or some new calamity that required immediate attention.

Trying to cling as long as he could to his fleeting moment of peace, he did not respond right away.

Rose waited, nodding and smiling and vibrating.

“What’s the great news, dear?” Sarah asked, poking Everett gently with her elbow.