“Sorry about Nora,” Robin says when I walk in.

“Well, I think it’s wonderful,” my mom says. “The wonderful part.” She lifts my chin, and I can see from her eyes that she really means it.

“Are we having pie?” Fern asks, hugging my waist.

“Robin made brownies, Fern,” my dad says.

Fern lets go of me and runs to hug Robin.

My dad waits until the table is cleared and everybody has a brownie sitting on the plate in front of them, then he looks at my mom and says, “Einshtein?” Apparently she is the genius behind the Einstein quote.

Mom says, “Neither your dad nor I are scientists, but we both love Einstein,” which explains the bike poster in the bathroom.

“Einstein was a brilliant philosopher, in addition to being a scientist. And when Robin was in my belly, your dad and I agreed that helping you look at the universe as a friendly, not-hostile place—this was how we were going to raise you. And Kate—”

“And me.” Fern smiles.

“Yes, we’re doing such a beautiful job with you.” My mom holds her napkin in front of Fern’s face.

I guess it’s good to know their thinking, kind of like knowing what is going to be on a test before you take it. Otherwise I might’ve wondered whether putting my napkin on my lap and being kind were the most important decisions I’d ever make.

“Robin?” my dad said.

“I’ll go,” I said. “Mine isn’t really about Einstein or the universe. It’s about the decision. People congratulated me all day long. I know a lot of people would be happy to be co-leader, but I was still disappointed. Until I was riding my bike and I decided I’m over it. But I still have to deal with Nora.”

Dad says, “It’s not always easy living in a friendly universe.”

“Congratulations!” Robin says. At first I thought she was talking to me, but she is looking right at my mom. “Fern is the friendliest kid on the planet, and Kate and I both believe in the universe.”

It was like someone had suddenly turned her into a grown-up.

“Well,” my dad says. You can tell he is feeling proud of himself, and my mother, and the rest of us. “I have nothing more to say … except pass the brownies.”