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the studio, we didn’t get a chance to talk —”
    “We know, Mom,” I said.
    “And we already said we’re sorry,” said Alex, not sounding very sorry. I shot her a don’t-make-it-worse glance.
    “Look, girls,” said Mom. “We know you’re sorry, but you have to promise us that this kind of thing isn’t going to happen again.”
    “Especially not at Mom’s place of work,” said Dad, the worry lines deepening in his forehead. “She’s got enough to deal with at the studio already.”
    Mom massaged her forehead as if she were trying to smooth out her own worry lines. “I just wanted to say, I know I didn’t handle the situation in the best way. But I’d had a long day, and the station manager was on me because our ratings are down.”
    “Are they really thinking of canceling the show?” Alex asked, licking the last traces of chocolate from her finger.
    “Cool,” said Joey, coming downstairs. “Then we’d be poor like Jo in Little Women .”
    “Joey, get a clue,” said Alex.
    “Never mind that now,” said Mom. “As I was saying, I know I haven’t been available much lately, and I know I expect a lot from you kids, but I need to know that you girls are not going to be at each other’s throats night and day over this play. Stevie, I want you to apologize to Alex. And Alex, if Stevie is serious about trying out for this play, I want you to support her, or to at least let us know that you’re OK with her decision.”
    “OK, I am sorry, Alex,” I admitted. “I mean, I didn’t mean to yell or get us in a fight. But I think I have just as much right as you to be in the play.”
    “I guess,” said Alex.
    “And Stevie, I need you to think hard about your decision. Are you really serious about going out for this play? Have you thought about what it means? Because if you’re going to try for the lead, I don’t have to tell you, it’s a big commitment.”
    “There’s more than one part in a play, you know,” Dad pointed out.
    I stood with one leg crossed over the other, braiding and unbraiding a chunk of hair. “I know, I know. Look, if anybody knows, I do. I’ve watched Alex and everybody go through it like a million and one times.”
    “And what about the big cake-off?” Mom added. “Have you thought about that?”
    Alex butted in. “Mom, if she gets a big part in the play, she’s not going to have time for both. Trust me. Mr. Cannon is a bear when it comes to showing up for play practice.”
    “I thought we didn’t have the money, with Mom’s show in trouble and everything. For the cake-off, I mean. It costs a hundred dollars just to enter.”
    “You have some of your own money, kiddo,” said Dad.
    “And maybe you can get some pet-sitting money, and ask Gram and Grandpa,” Mom said.
    “Just do your best, Stevie. Mom and I will take care of the rest.”
    “Now, you all know, Dad’s got a lot of work on the Aladdin sets —” Mom started.
    “He’s gotta make a giant magic carpet fly!” said Joey.
    “What Mom’s saying is,” Dad continued, “I’m going to be putting in long hours in my workshop. I can’t be in the house all the time, so you kids have to show Mom and me that you can get along —”
    “Without Dad around to referee every minute,” Mom finished his sentence.
    “Fine,” said Alex, worrying Comedy and Tragedy back and forth on the chain around her neck. “But I know Stevie’s just doing this to bug me. Her heart’s not really in it, and this is really important to me.”
    “How do you know what’s in my heart? Mom, I’m not just doing this to bug her, honest! For years, this whole family has been down on me because I’m not into acting like everybody else, then when finally I am . . .” I couldn’t finish. My voice started to wobble.
    “OK, OK,” said Mom, holding up both hands. “Truce!”
    Dad got up from the couch. “Girls, I think you should shake on it.” Leave it to Dad to get corny on us.
    “I think I smell my cupcakes