He picked up on the first ring. "Hey, Lance, what's up? Is everything all right with your wife?" he asked as concern filled his voice.

I took a deep breath. "Actually, that's why I'm calling," I said, pausing for a moment, wondering how to ask, but thought that the direct approach was best. "Do you think that Kalyssa could come over and sit with Leila for a while? I'm going to be helping Elias and Amy today."

There was silence at the other end, and then Xander came back ...