My 5-Year-Old Pointed at a Woman in the Supermarket and Said, “That’s the Lady Who Comes to Our House When You’re at Work”—I Froze as She Turned Around

behind me. Small ones. Leo had followed anyway, one hand curled around the banister.

“Mommy,” he said, in that too-loud whisper five-year-olds thought was quiet. “I’m not supposed to say.”

“Leo, honey, please go back downstairs.”

“But there’s a surprise inside.” He climbed the last two steps. “Daddy has the key. He keeps it in his work bag. He said only continue reading …