I should have noticed the question.
Instead, I laughed.
“Enough.”
***
Now Denise opened the door to Cabin Seven.
A handwritten chore chart hung near the door.
Mia’s name appeared everywhere.
“How much extra did you work, Mom?”
Sweep floor.
Refill water cooler.
Trash.
Porch cleanup.
Bathroom check.
Breakfast setup.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Of course.”
Denise looked at me.
“Of course what?”
“She’s like that at home too. She likes helping.”
Mia crossed her arms. “I do.”
“She’s like that at home too. She likes helping.”
Denise walked to the chart and tapped several marks.
“Those aren’t all hers.”
My smile disappeared.
“What?”
“Mia did her chores. Then she did Ava’s. Then Brooke’s. Then half of Sophie’s.”
Mia muttered, “Brooke twisted her ankle.”
“On day four,” Denise replied. “You cleaned for her until day 12.”
“Those aren’t all hers.”
“She was still limping.”
“She was also swimming,” Denise cut in.
