Calculated Provocation

Gwen made me a nutritious breakfast. I was halfway through my meal when Hazel came bounding in. "Mom, you're not going to work today," she declared. "You have to stay home and play with me."

I looked at her while spooning my gruel. "From now on, I will be going back to work," I said. "But we'll sign you up for some fun classes—you'll have teachers and classmates to keep you company."

Hazel's face