Page 174 of State of Alert

Happy to help! It’s fun to spend your money! HAHA

Thank you, Trace. SO, SO MUCH.

Love you, kid.

Love you, too.

It pained her to have to bring in help for basic mothering tasks like Easter baskets, but she’d learned to lean into her strengths and ask for help in the areas where she needed it. Tracy loved shopping and excelled at crafty things like creating memorable Easter baskets for the kids. Sam told herself it was about the love she gave to her kids, not who did the shopping for the baskets.

“Can I ask you something?” she said to Vernon and Jimmy.

“Anything,” Vernon said with a warm smile in the mirror.

“Is it awful that my sister took care of Easter clothes and baskets for my kids?”

“I think it would be worse if no one did it,” Jimmy said.

“Yes,” Vernon said, “that’s true. The base is covered, and that’s what matters. The kids won’t know your sister did it.”

“Scotty will.”

“Do you think he’ll care when he wakes up to candy and treats and probably a few cool things in a basket with his name on it? And probably one for Skippy, too.”

Sam never would’ve thought of Skippy on her own, but was sure Tracy had. “Probably not.”

“Don’t beat yourself up for asking for help. If it was up to me, my kids never would’ve had an Easter basket, a birthday cake or a Christmas stocking. I had someone at home taking care of that for our family so I could focus on work. You made sure it got done, and that’s what matters.”

“I might not have even thought of it unless Tracy asked me.”

“You would’ve,” Jimmy said.

“If it’d been left to me, the three of us would’ve been at a convenience store near Camp David on Saturday night.”

The two men laughed.

“We’re actually off this weekend, so you’ll have the B team.”

“It wouldn’t have been as much fun to go to a convenience store with them.”

“Aw, thanks,” Vernon said. “That’s nice to hear.”

“I hope you guys are doing something fun with your families this weekend.”

“We’re going to my wife’s parents’ house in Annapolis,” Jimmy said. “The whole family is coming, and they’re having a baby shower for us, too.”

“That’ll be fun,” Sam said, making a mental note to arrange a gift for them.

“We’re doing dinner at the house with the girls and their families,” Vernon said. “Note that I’m not lifting a finger for any of this while my wife runs around all week getting ready.”

“That’s because you’re busy keeping me safe.”

Vernon made eye contact in the mirror. “We all have our lanes.”

“Yes, we do. I’m not sure when this SUV became my confessional and therapist office combined, but thank you both for always being willing to talk it out with me.”

“We’re honored to be part of your daily life,” Vernon said.

“Indeed,” Jimmy added. “Coolest job ever.”

---