And yet, she was the one left to sweep up the crumbled spoils of a blameless catastrophe. She sighed loudly and glanced at Nelson to see if he was noticing all of her hard work. He was still asleep. Nelson felt Irene's heavy hands rest on his shoulders. It felt like she was about to shake him.
Dinner is ready.
Nelson started abruptly, the grand finale to his contrived sleep circus. She hadn't even considered that he might be faking, he thought victoriously. Irene stood tapping her foot and blowing out impatient, deliberate huffs of frustration. Hurry, she wanted to add, but clamped her lips shut. That would be taking it too far.