Shortly after Mommy leaves for work, Daddo calls up to Bela and urges her to come downstairs so she will not be by herself. Bela resists because she is not alone: Other Mommy is with her. When Daddo comes up to Bela’s room, Other Mommy quickly slips into the bathroom, and Bela tries to keep Daddo from noticing her.

Daddo immediately reacts to a foul smell and moves toward the bathroom. Bela becomes alarmed because she does not want Daddo to see or speak to Other Mommy, especially because Other Mommy keeps asking the same disturbing question. Daddo goes into the bathroom anyway, but Bela only hears the toilet flush before he comes back out, apparently thinking the smell came from the bathroom itself.

Afterward, Daddo checks whether Bela is all right and suggests they spend time downstairs while he works. He offers the Michigan puzzle as a way to occupy her, and Bela agrees. Even as Daddo smiles, Bela notices that he seems suspicious or concerned, as if he senses that she is hiding something.

On the way out, Daddo gently questions Bela about her recent behavior. He asks why she does not play outside as much, whether she knows what her friend Deb is doing, and whether she has other friends. Bela’s limited answers reveal her isolation, and Daddo explains that he only wants to make sure she is staying active and healthy.

Bela privately reflects on why she has withdrawn. She used to spend more time outside, but Other Mommy’s increasing daytime presence and constant watching have made Bela afraid to leave Daddo alone in the house with her. Daddo tries to lighten the moment by joking that the puzzle can count as exercise, and Bela follows him downstairs without looking back, certain that Other Mommy is still peeking from behind.