Caring Lara

A. Gautam

Lara was at Peter’s house because she never broke a promise. She wanted to be with her father who was home with a fever, but she had promised the Levins that she would watch Peter and his sister Leah. She needed the money for all the scholarship applications she was sending out. As Mrs. Levin prepared to leave, Peter clung to her and his dangling feet knocked over a potted plant. Lara cleaned up the dirt and put the decimated plant with other dying houseplants in the garden before she walked in.

“The meds are at the bottom of the cabinet. You had one dose right before I left, so you need another one at 4,” Lara instructed her father on the phone. “I will call you in a bit to check on you. Keep the phone near you, please.”

Now, Lara was in the living room which Peter and Leah had turned into a fort. Lara relished the playfulness of the twins and enjoyed their inventive games. They were well-behaved and full of affection. For two hours, the living room was a battle zone, and Peter and Leah defended their fort kingdom from Lara the warrior. The kids’ endless energy meant they left a trail of destruction everywhere they passed and only helped Lara clean for the last half hour. But the kids’ kisses and hugs made up for their lack of help.

“The soup is in the Tupperware with the red lid—in the fridge. Heat it up for two minutes, Dad. The crackers are on the dining table,” Lara instructed her father again.

Peter and Leah had turned the black tablecloth into the sky and the popcorn kernels into stars as they enjoyed the snack. Lara had turned away for one minute to talk on the phone when the twins cleared the dining table and moved everything on it to the floor. Again, Lara barely put everything back on the dining table when the twins raced to the playroom. The playroom was an area of perpetual disaster. The books and toys were forever out of place, and Mrs. Levin had given up on tidying it. Lara let the twins burn all their energy until nap time.

“Dad, it’s time for your meds. Can you take your temperature? The thermometer is right next to the meds. Yes. Only 100. Good. Fever has gone down. I’ll be home in an hour. Please nap if you can. Love you,” Lara instructed her father.

She spent the half hour of quiet time cleaning up as fast as she could. Her hands moved through the house like lightning. When she heard Peter and Leah call her name, her legs felt like lead. She had been on her feet all day. Right then, Mrs. Levin walked in the door, and a sigh of relief escaped Lara’s mouth.
Question
Which of the following statements should be included in an objective summary of paragraph 3?
Responses
A The twins charm Lara by being well-behaved, kind, and loving.The twins charm Lara by being well-behaved, kind, and loving.
B The twins play around the house but do not help Lara clean up.The twins play around the house but do not help Lara clean up.
C Lara is tired after playing in the fort because she plays for a long time.Lara is tired after playing in the fort because she plays for a long time.
D The twins play energetic games and Lara cleans up after them.The twins play energetic games and Lara cleans up after them.