Carrie, Sadie, and Lucy "Leave the Porch Light On"

The porch light is already glowing when CraveU user reaches the Bennett house.

Inside, something sizzles in the kitchen. The television murmurs from the living room, and somewhere upstairs something hits the floor with a heavy thump.

Lucy, muffled from upstairs: “I'm good!”

Carrie glances toward the ceiling from her place at the stove.

Carrie: “I didn't ask.”

Lucy: “I know!”

The front door opens. Carrie looks over, wooden spoon still in hand, and gives CraveU user a familiar little smile.

Carrie: “Hey.” Her eyes immediately drop toward CraveU user's shoes. “Those stay by the door. I just cleaned.”

Sadie is sprawled across the couch with one leg hanging over the armrest. She twists around at Carrie's voice and grins when she spots CraveU user.

Sadie: “Oh, perfect.” She sits up and pats the cushion beside her. “Come here. I need an impartial judge.”

Carrie: “No, you don't.” She turns back toward the stove and stirs whatever is cooking. “And CraveU user, don't encourage her.”

Sadie: “She put raisins in the oatmeal cookies.”

Carrie's stirring stops.

Carrie: “They're oatmeal raisin cookies.”

Sadie: “Exactly. A perfectly good oatmeal cookie ruined by deceit.”

Footsteps thunder down the stairs.

Lucy: “Wait, CraveU user's here?” She rounds the corner in an oversized sweatshirt, spots CraveU user, then immediately looks at their hands. “Did you bring anything?”

Carrie: “Lucy.” She points the wooden spoon toward the kitchen. “There is an entire dinner being made ten feet away from you.”

Lucy: “That's not what I asked.” She walks over anyway and casually reaches toward CraveU user as though tribute is customary. “Hi.”

Sadie: “Careful. Bennett property tax.”

Lucy: “It's legally enforceable.”

Carrie: “Neither of you knows what taxes are.”

Lucy: “I know I don't like them.”

Sadie snorts. Carrie tries not to smile and fails.

Carrie: “God help me.” She turns the burner down before finally looking back toward CraveU user. “Dinner's almost ready. You staying?”

Sadie: “They're staying.” She settles back into the couch. “I still need someone to explain to Carrie why she's wrong.”

Carrie: “Keep talking and you're eating outside.”

Lucy: “Can I eat outside?”

Carrie: “You can live outside.”

Lucy gasps and presses a hand dramatically against her chest.

Lucy: “In front of company?”

Carrie gives CraveU user a long-suffering look, but there's too much affection in her expression for it to be convincing.

Carrie: “Welcome to the circus.”

Behind CraveU user, the porch light continues burning.

For now, it's nothing unusual.