I'll keep you around.

I'm ready to quarrel, but I don't want to add to the tension because Rachel is visibly upset and standing at the bottom of the stairs.

I wrap my arm around her and take her upstairs, saying "They're gone." Everything is fine. What time must you arrive at school?

I would advise her to remain home if she weren't in her last weeks of school, but with graduation just around the corner, I'm sure now isn't the best time to do so. I assist her organize her belongings so she can get ready by getting towels for her from the linen closet.

When we go downstairs,...