“Troy, noooo. Not now! You’re getting me all wet, and we don’t have time for this!” The words tumbled out in a heated rush. He just looked up into her eyes, studying her, holding her. And when she saw her words no effect, she added: “We have to eat, and I have got to get to work.” It was meant to be a firm declaration, but it came out more as a desperate plea, as she stood looking down at the grinning boy with lips slightly parted, a bit flushed, panting lightly. She tried again. “Troy, please. I have to insist.”
For a moment his eyes narrowed in a flare of irritation at the woman’s sudden willfulness. But he knew she was right. There was little time left; she would have to leave for work soon. He knew she had some kind of important meeting. And besides, she had already been late twice
