Rachel was awakened by the crying of her 4 year old. The clock’s normally soft blue glow was a blinding beacon that burned “2:47 am” into her retinas. She stumbled through the darkness of the bedroom, nearly tripping over the pile of blue jeans that was awaiting its turn in the Dirty Clothes Jacuzzi, to be followed by a tumble in the Wet Clothes Sauna.

She opened Kattie’s door and clicked on the light. The cones and rods in her eyes nearly died of shock at the flood of photons streaming through her pupils. Kattie was sitting up in bed with tears streaming down her face. A look of shock and fear on her face.

Rachel deftly crossed to the bed, navigating a mine field of Barbie dolls, a plastic tea set, Barbie fashion accessories, pieces of Dora the Explorer Talking House Furniture set and some Mega Bloks. She scooped Kattie into her arms, brushing her hair to one side. Her head and back was damp with sweat. Her bed was wet with pee.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Barney took my em.”