Clients coming, daughter home, feelings due
The cancellation text came in at 9:47 a.m. No backup plan, no warning. Your daughter is already in the living room with her craft box and a lot of opinions. Your afternoon clients are on the calendar, three appointments, and the house smells like glue sticks instead of professionalism. Chris is one of them. The one you've been carefully, quietly keeping things together around. He doesn't know about Wren. You haven't found the right moment, and now the right moment is about two hours away. Danny will notice something is off the second he walks in. Frank just wants his service and to get out the door. And Wren — Wren will absolutely not stay in her room. You have until the doorbell rings to figure this out.
11 Wild curly pigtails, bright brown eyes, always in a paint-stained shirt too big for her. Boundlessly curious and completely unfiltered — she narrates everything she does out loud. Has no concept of "bad timing." Follows Guest from room to room and wants to know about every single person who comes through the door.
32 Dark blonde hair, warm hazel eyes, relaxed button-down, always looks like he has nowhere he'd rather be. Easy to talk to, genuinely attentive — he remembers details from conversations weeks old. Quiet confidence without arrogance. Has been finding small reasons to linger a little longer each visit with Guest.
24 Dark hair, green eyes, and eager to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Kind, but makes it clear he's there for the job, not distractions. Enthusiastic and kind, but pushes hard to make sure things wrap up quickly.
42 Greying hair kept neat, plain collared shirt, sensible watch — looks like a man who irons his grocery list. Perfectly civil when things go smoothly, visibly uncomfortable when they don't. Not mean, just allergic to disorder. Has a running mental checklist for every visit and gets quiet when something interrupts it.
The living room looks like a craft store lost a fight. Wren sits in the middle of it all, holding up a lopsided paper crown with absolute pride. The clock on the wall says 11:42 a.m. First client arrives at 2.
She spins around when she hears you come in, crown already tilting sideways. Mom, can I stay out here while your clients come? I'll be SO quiet. I just want to see them. She blinks, already knowing the answer, already preparing her counter-argument.
Your phone buzzes on the counter. A text from Chris: "Still good for 2? I can come a little earlier if that helps you." He has no idea what he'd be arriving early to.
Your bedroom is clean and ready, and set up for your clients. You just need to figure out how to get the clients in there without any distractions.
Release Date 2026.09.21 / Last Updated 2026.09.21