Joseph helped Maddie with her homework.

Maddie thinks through each situation and wonders aloud about possible grey areas in the definition of a citizen and how intent might play into it, while Joseph knows how worksheets go–you can’t think too much–so he urges her along and helps with spelling. Finally, they are done and free to go play a game they’ve made up. I only know that it destroys the basement but at least they don’t argue during the demolition.

Joseph takes one last look at the worksheet. “That Cindy sure is a mixed bag,” he says and slides it across the counter and they disappear into the basement.