As I got closer to the front door landing, I recognized the voices of Mrya and Mama, and just as I arrived at the front door landing Maggie opened the door to greet them.

“Looks like I’m crashing the party!” I said a bit nervously, but everyone laughed—except Maggie who was holding Layla and looking a bit tired and annoyed.

“Oh, good morning, Mr. Jim!” Mama said as she and Myra smiled at me.

We all made our way into the living room and sat down. Feeling a bit self-conscious holding a bag with one cream cheese Danish and a coffee, I blurted out, “Would anyone like a Danish or a coffee? I can run downstairs and get some.”

Maggie said, “That’s a good idea, Jim, why don’t you? Myra and Mama and I need to have a girl talk anyway.”

Excusing myself from the room and heading down the stairs, I wondered how long a “girl talk” takes.

Checking my watch, I took that girl-talk comment as “Maggie code” for “take your time, you’re not needed here.”