marty's kryptonite in life is fatigue. if she get's too tired it is game over and it is game over fast. and i'm not talking about a kind of tired that makes you bloopy and in need of a nap. i'm talking about full on sleep deprivation that started days and weeks earlier and the only right answer is to go to bed at 5:30pm and wake at seven the next day—and doing that for 30 days in a row. i know it is the latter because technically marty has been running a sleep debt since bella was born more than fifteen years ago.

the kids have become quite astute at recognizing when marty hits this point. now before you start thinking this is an impressive skill in young people it is not. spotting this condition would be akin to diagnosing a severed arm or telling the difference between high noon and midnight based on daylight. you don't even have to hear her speak. seeing her is enough. there is no nuance. there are just two states--on and off. the kids have come to call marty's tired state 'midnight mom' which is a most apt descriptor because if life ever has marty walter still awake at midnight, you better watch your ass.

the other day bella came up the stairs. the boys stepped out of their room and asked where mom was. bella quickly said, "she's about to come up. but it's midnight mom. save yourself."

none of the children ever question the alarm. they just heed it. this time bella turned into her room and closed the door. the boys did a quick and quiet about face and scurried back into their room. by the time marty crested the steps she was met with a quiet and empty hallway. she stumbled to bed and in another show of our universe's mysterious and magical alchemy, awoke the next day a whole new person.