I ended up spending the entire day in the bedroom with Simone and Joey, and with the other five speeding in and out all day. I left once to make them all a macaroni lunch, but returned soon after.
Frieda came home first. She came in and greeted me, kissing my forehead and telling me that I should go take a nap, that I looked exhausted. I put Joey back in his crib and stumbled over to my bed a few feet away and almost collapsed.
“Are you sure you can watch Sam, Matt and Kendra?” I asked, my eyes drooping. I felt so guilty about having to put my burden on their family.
“Honey, you are like a second daughter to me. I would do anything for you, just because you have been such a big part of our lives. I promise, if it was a problem, I would tell you.”