CHAPTER 19
Friday evening, after Mass, the family returned to the Murphy house. Michael watched in amusement as the children raced into the kitchen, squabbling all the way and leaping at the cabinets.
“Easy, munchkins,” Erin urged, trying to corral them all. “What's the big commotion?”
“I want to put out the cookies for Santa,” Kayleigh whined, “but Jordy thinks he gets to do it because he's biggest.”
“Santa!” William repeated, tugging on the skirt of his mother's dress.
Erin looked at them, bewildered with exhaustion, and then searched for her husband.
“Bathroom,” Sheridan reminded Erin, and the young mother's frown deepened.
“I have an idea,” Michael said, retrieving a plate. “Sweetheart, can you get out the cookie box?”
Sheridan retrieved the large Tupperware container and poppe
