When Bill pulls into his driveway at ten past five, he does not expect to find his yard void of toys. And yet, here he sits in his car, the light of the day already beginning the fade away, and he doesn't see one toy, or hear even one scream or bark. Nothing.
He gets out of his car and slings his bag over his shoulder, hopping up the front porch steps and opening the door.
It's still quiet and, even more astonishing, clean. His jaw drops and his bag hits the floor. No toys. No paints. No screaming children or wild dog.
He walks further into the house, into the kitchen, where he finds Lee sitting at the table next to Ms. Roslin, who has the dog on the floor at her feet and little Zak in her lap as he colors (on paper, no less). She's talking softly, but seems to be showing Lee how to do a math problem. She has paint on her, he notices, and her glasses and shoes have been discarded. She looks . . . at home. Bill shakes his head fiercely, angry with himself, refusing to believe that his face feels hot and his cheeks might be pink.
"Oh, Mr. Adama. I didn't hear you come in."
Ms. Roslin looks up and flashes him a smile. A very pretty smile. No, just a smile, Bill tells himself, forcing himself to smile back.
"I just got here. I see you all have been productive – the whole house is spotless. I hope they didn't give you too much trouble?"
"No trouble at all! They were both just lovely, and Lee here is already showing progress. You have a wonderful family, Mr. Adama."
Bill has a very hard time believing that his chaotic sons provided absolutely no trouble for the classy Caprican schoolteacher, but given how calm and clean things are looking, he decides not to push it.
Ms. Roslin sits Zak down in another chair and gathers her things, reminding Lee to study a few particular topics and methods, and then, after saying goodbye, walks with Bill to the front door.
"I don't know how to thank you for all of this . . . this is amazing. The house hasn't been this clean since . . ." Since Carolanne, in the early days, before the drinking started, he thinks, but doesn't add. He clears his throat. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Ms. Roslin hums and nods a response, and Bill opens the door for her.
"Thank you!" Bill calls as she heads towards her car. Ms. Roslin simply turns with a smile and says,
"No, thank you."
And she drives away.