Gareth left the kids in the tub as he went to round up pajamas and towels. All he had to do now was convince the boys to get out of the bath. He never could relate to parents who said bath time was a challenge because their kids hated the water. If they’d said it was because they couldn’t convince their child to get out, he’d have nodded along, listed a half-dozen different excuses his kids always used despite the pruning of their skin and the tepid water.

He scurried back up the hall. Sam and Ted might be old enough to be left alone for a few minutes, but that wouldn’t stop them from topping up the tub and insisting it was still warm. Or sneaking in another capful of Mr. Bubble. Laughter drifted from the small, blue bathroom, and Gareth grinned until he reached the doorway — it looked as if a hurricane had whipped through.

Steam billowed, hot and heavy, fogging the mirror. The tiles were slick with soap as bathwater gushed over the lip of the tub. His socks squelched as he hurried forward and yanked out the plug, hand grazing the wall as he straightened the bright, childish artwork. He’d been gone, what, maybe two minutes? Well, at least the floor was clean.

“What happened, bud?” he asked, swiping at Ted’s bubble beard.

Sam brandished an invisible sword. “Pirates attacked!”

Gareth chuckled and stood, slipped on the soggy bathmat and landed beside them in the tub.

Word: bud | Action: reach