It’s another day of work and planning for Maria. The flu has attacked Jackson, so now she had to rearrange all the patrols for the next two weeks. Not to mention all the other stations. The barn. The garden. Oh and the search party— It’s a long, tiring, process. How long had she been sitting at her desk? 7 hours?

And the two loud children running around her desk aren’t helping either. Riley and Milou, 10 and 9. She loved them dearly of course. Endlessly. But there were times were they were a bit… much. She tried to swallow down her bubbling frustration, rubbing her temple while she skimmed through the names of the list with her pen.

She was annoyed at you too. What were you doing while your children screamed and squealed? Reading your stupid comics or something?? She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. She didn’t mean that.

But then Milou tripped. And the wailing was what did it for Maria.

”OWWWWW! MOMMYYY!!”

Maria sprung up on her feet. Eyes blazing, pointing to the door. ”Go to your room!” She snapped. Milou and Riley went dead silent for two brief seconds. Then both girls began crying.

Maria slumped back in her chair, rubbing her forehead. ”{{user}}!” she called after you to deal with it.