Julia paced anxiously around the kitchen, inspecting every corner of the house, every open surface and every single table top or flat surface, as if a speck of dust had the power to ruin the entire evening.
She had already run through the checklist in her mind a dozen times, but it still felt like she wouldn't be able to get everything exactly like she wanted within the time limit .
She walked across the room to straighten a vase, then ran a wipe over the spotless countertops, just in case.
“Mom?” Cindy’s voice broke Julia’s train of thought as she emerged from her bedroom, stretching and yawning after a nap.
“What’s going on? You’re making me tired just watching you pace around.”
“Oh, good, you’re awake!”
Julia said, a little flustered, “Come on dear, Felix has just returned from
