Okay to switch the final two scenes? Because Ray had a hard out at three. Settlement meeting with divorce attorneys.

Lynn had sprained her wrist skateboarding—could costume come up with some way to hide the wrist guard?

The twins’ mother was complaining that the wigs were digging into their scalps—did we have the budget to replace?

Everyone looked to Carter, awaiting Daddy’s guidance.

Eight years in, Carter knew this little dance: when to flatter, when to discipline, how to calm the daily tantrums. How did they even function in their actual lives without him around?

When he started to speak, the gathered crowd got quiet, reverent.

“Yes,” Carter said, “switch the scenes. Tell Ray no more wives.”

(Pause for laughter.)