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good old days. I feel we've been missing out on a lot of things because we don't really see each other much, do we? I mean, we're a family, but we all keep to our own busy schedules..." Here she appealed to Dad. "Grant, you know how you and I haven't exactly been getting along lately? I'm sure it's because we haven't been spending enough time together."
    Dad took a careful bite of chicken. "Listen, Pam," he said, chewing, "that might be true. But don't you think it's something we might discuss better alone? I mean"—and he cast his eye around the table at me and Crystal and Ashleigh—"like
in private?
"
    "All right, dear," agreed Mom. "But I've been doing a lot of thinking over this past year or so—I mean, well, anyway, I know it might not be easy to change, but it's got to happen. For the sake of our family, some things are going to change around here."
    "Like you've changed your clothes, Mom?" demanded Crystal. "And your hair?"
    "First of all," continued Mom, ignoring the interruption, "I'm going to work only part-time. I'm going to cut back so that I can leave for work in the morning and be back home in Shady Grove by the time the first school bus comes by. So I'll be here, Crystal and Connor, when you get home from school."
    "But—" began Crystal. "But I don't usually get home till nearly dinnertime, anyway."
    That was true, but I didn't see why she was objecting. I kind of liked the idea that Mom would be around—especially if she would keep making cakes and stuff for after-school snacks.
    "That's another thing," said Mom. "All these after-school classes have to stop. It's just too much—and it's not necessary. Now, children, I want you to think of all the classes and extracurricular clubs and sports you two. are involved in, and pick
one or two
that are most important to you."
    "What about the other ones?" I asked, seeing for a moment all my. "extras" stacked up like building blocks in my mind. Soccer and karate and piano. Swimming and gymnastics and computer graphics. Baseball in the spring.
    "The other ones we'll drop," said Mom simply. "You're both doing far too much."
    My tower of blocks crashed onto the table. In my mind, I mean. But I could see them—all labeled SOCCER and KARATE and PIANO and everything. Which ones did I like best? Would I be sad without the others? I didn't really know.
    "Don't we get any say in this?" demanded Crystal. "Don't we get to vote?"
    "Women do have the right to vote now," Mom acknowledged, with a nod. "But you're not old enough yet. As your mother, I am making this decision for you."
    "You're totally crazy!" cried Crystal.
    Dad shushed her. "That's no way to talk to your mother." But he was darting apprehensive little looks over at Mom. He pinched the bridge of his nose and looked even more exhausted than he had earlier. "Is this about money, Pam?" he asked. "Are you worrying we can't afford these things? Because even if you cut back to part-time, we can certainly still pay for the kids' classes and extras."
    "It's not about money," Mom said tightly. She took a bite of mashed potato. "It's about
family.
"
    Ashleigh winked at me across the table.
    She wasn't winking after she heard what Mom said next. Ashleigh's eyes popped like somebody's in a cartoon, and her mouth—full of nasty, chewed-up chicken—hung wide open.
    "And we're going to cut back in other ways. The gardener's, Mrs. White's, even
your
services, Ashleigh, as our baby-sitter—these must go."
    "But—what about my apartment here?" spluttered Ashleigh. "And the kids—who's going to get their meals and drive them places and everything?" I saw little flecks of chicken fly out onto the table. Good thing the cloth was white. She appealed to my dad. "Mr. Chase—what will I
do
?"
    "You may still live in your apartment over the garage until you graduate," Mom assured her before Dad could say anything. "You know you're like one of the family. But we won't need you for Crystal and