I answer before he can utter a word. "Yes, he did help me, and that brought about the wetness." I explain, full of anxiety.

Mother watches us for a passing second and goes ahead to nod her head, believing there is nothing more.

When I see this, I become relieved and urge her to get going. "I'll clean this up in a bit. You can go finish with whatever you were doing."

This is said to hasten her absence from the kitchen. I really want her out before I lose my mind.

She ...