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there looking at her son, her hands on her hips.
    “So, a wild cat will search for food night after night. Eventually, it will find a nest. But if the birds are moving around like this little guy here, there is a much better chance for survival. And yet, you have to take into account—”
    “Oh my goodness, look at the time,” Grandma interrupted Daddy. “We’ve still got to go see about a skunk!”
    Daddy looked around, surprised. “Is it that late?” He glanced at his watch. “Well, I guess it is.”
    “Funny how time flies even when the crows don’t,” Grandma replied, heading for the door. The girls followed after her.
    Outside, they climbed into the backseat, and Keisha watched out the window. It was a few minutes before Daddy said good-bye to Mrs. Sampson. “Where’s the crow?” she asked as Daddy got in the cab.
    He turned the key in the ignition and the engine rattled a few seconds before starting up. “Sometimes you have to explore the gray area.”
    “What’s the gray area?” Wen wanted to know.
    “The gray area was in her cupboard,” Grandma said. “Stale crackers and miller moths everywhere. And her milk was past the sell-by date.”
    “Maybe that’s why she seemed so tired.” Keisha stared out the window, wondering how one little old lady could keep a big house like that in order.
    Daddy adjusted the rearview mirror so he could see Wen. “The gray area is not right and not wrong … not black and not white. Mrs. Sampson used to be a nurse, and now she has learned how to nurse a crow. It will be less stressful for the crow if he can stay at her house and not have to move in with a bunch of ducklings.”
    “So why is that gray?” Aaliyah asked. “Why isn’t it right?”
    “Long story,” Grandma replied.
    Keisha knew what was wrong about it. Mrs. Sampson was not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Officially it was against the law for her to take care of the little crow. People did it all the time and they often did it wrong, so the law was made to protect animals from being mistreated, even by accident, and to protect people from possibly getting hurt by caring for dangerous wild animals.
    Keisha waited until they had dropped off Aaliyah and Wen before asking Daddy more about the gray area.
    “I know that technically it’s not right, but we don’t have the staff for all these cases, Key. Since she used to be a nurse, Mrs. Sampson can help us out on this one. And it’s good for older people to have some purpose. This one time is okay.” Daddy turned into the alley behind their house.
    “It won’t take long, will it?” Keisha asked.
    “My guess is two to three days and he’ll be ready to try the great outdoors again. I just want to keep the little guy quiet, get some protein in him and make sure he’s hydrated. I think I’ll wait on the hardware store for now. Might be time for a little R&R in the CFH.” Daddy whistled a little tune to himself. Thinking about rest and relaxation in the Carter family hammock always made Daddy happy.
    As the truck pulled to a stop in their driveway, Keisha wondered what would make Mrs. Sampson happy enough to whistle.

Chapter 5
    “Oh, no, you don’t, Mr. Carter,” Mama said, handing Paulo to Daddy just as he was heading for the hammock. “Sticky babies are your responsibility.”
    Razi took the baby from Daddy and held him up. “Paulo doesn’t want Daddy! Paulo votes for me!” Razi blew raspberries on Paulo’s stomach until he giggled. “See?”
    Grandma Alice wanted her turn with baby Paulo. She held out her arms. “You know as well as I do, Razi Carter, that your daddy is the best one in the family for bathing babies.”
    Grandma looked Razi up and down. “I must say you look fine in your dress shirt.”
    “Mama says I can wear the clip-on tie, like I do at church.” Razi twisted his fingers together. “But not until we get to the center. Grandma, you put it in your purse.”
    Grandma checked her watch. “You’re ready for