Page 36 of The Doctor's Surprise Family

“What happened?” said Blake.

I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or to cry. “I took my eyes off your son for maybe three minutes, and he got into Mom’s mud mask, and, well, he’s green.”

Blake made a muffled sound, holding back laughter. I groaned, thinking how green the bathroom must be.

“I should go deal with this, and finish his lunch.”

“Sorry,” said Blake. “When’s a good time to call you?”

“Probably text first. But we’ll talk soon.”

I hung up and shooed Oli back to the bathroom, with instructions to stand still and not touch a thing. Then I stirred up his mac and cheese and stuck it in the oven, and set fifteen minutes for the top to get crispy. By the time I was done, Oli’d got bored, and he was making Shrek horns with my hair gel. Itook a few pictures because it was funny, and then lifted Oli into the tub.

“Mom’ll be sad,” I said.

“Why will she be sad?”

“Because you used all her mud mask, and it’s expensive.”

Oli’s face fell. “But, it’s just mud.”

“Yeah, but it’s special mud, not mud from the garden. Hold your nose and lean over.”

“Hold my nose? Why?”

“Because it’s sprayer time.” I grabbed the shower sprayer. Oli squealed, and I laughed as I hosed his hair clean. I wiped his face and his hands, then the counter and floor, and a cluster of handprints off the wall and the door.

“I still have my birthday card,” Oli said. “With the five dollars I got from Great-Gramps. Could we get some more mud mask before Gran comes back?”

I stifled a snort: not for five dollars. But Oli didn’t need to know that.

“Sure, hon,” I said. “You’ve got a good heart. Now, dry off your hands, and let’s check on your lunch.”

Five minutes later, Oli was eating. I was mopping up the last of the mud. I was just about through when the doorbell went ding, and Buster woke up and ran to see who was there. I followed more slowly, too tired to rush.

“Who is it, Buster? Who is it, boy?” I held him back by his collar as I opened the door, only to drop him as I saw it was Blake.Buster rushed out and I stepped out too, pushing the door shut so Oli wouldn’t see.

“Seriously? I tell you not to just call, and youshow up?”

Blake held up a bag. “I came to drop this.” He reached in and pulled out Oli’s jacket. I gaped at it, stunned.

“How do you have that? I searched everywhere!”

“He took it off at the penguin show. It was in my bag. I’d have said on the phone, but you seemed busy.” He looked me up and down. “You okay? You’re all green.”

I glanced down at myself and saw I was splattered, no doubt from hosing the green off of Oli.

“One of those days,” I said. “Just got off a double, and my parents went out. That’s why I snapped before. I’m running on fumes.”

“You were right, though,” said Blake. “I didn’t think. And I can go now, unless you need help?”

“That’s okay. I’ve got it. I?—”

“Tag! You’re it!” Oli darted past me and smacked Blake on the leg. He laughed.

“Sorry, kid. Maybe next time.”

Oli pouted. “He can’t play?”

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