Everyone familiar belongs to Janet.

"Grandma Mazur just got dropped off," Steph said, sticking her head into my open office door.

"That's the third time this week," I pointed out.

"Yup. This building seems to be attracting my family right and left. Bobby went down to meet her so I wouldn't have to bundle Olive up. We'll be in the control room kitchen if you need us."

I suddenly decided I could use a break. When I walked into the small kitchen, Olivia was sitting on her great-grandmother's bony lap and Stephanie and Brown were flanking her. My daughter's black leggings, ruffled tunic, and pink and white high top sneakers with bunny faced-toes, were getting a workout without her even being put down. Her arms and legs were extremely animated as she did her best to keep up with the conversation. As I suspected, it was heavily laced with Helen.

"Your mother's in another snit," Edna was saying, "and I needed a break from it."

"I bet," Steph said.

"You aren't who she's blaming for this one ... I am. I didn't come home before her bedtime last night and it got her panties in one helluva twist. She'd choke on a fish bone before admitting it, Stephanie, but you belong here and she knows she doesn't."

"Sounds like a personal problem," I added, acknowledging Brown with a slight nod while taking my place at Steph's side.

"Olivia and I are happy here ... it's a shame Mom can't be."

"She'll get that stick outta her behind someday," Edna said.

Stephanie leaned forward to tickle our daughter until Olive laughed hard enough for her gums to show. "The good news is, I'm going to be the kind of mother this little one will be happy to be around no matter what."

"Like with everyone else here," I assured her, "our daughter won't be able to come up with a single reason to be unhappy with you, Babe."