Later that night. Robbie is waiting for his mother to return from her late-night committee meeting. He takes a book and tries to read.
Ellen:	Hello there, Robbie. What are you doing up this late?
Robbie:	Reading.
Ellen:	Reading? At this hour? Ah, come on, Robbie. What are you doing up this late?
Robbie:	Things on my mind.
Ellen:	Do you care to talk about them?
Robbie:	Sure, if you don't mind listening.
Ellen:	Robbie, Robbie, remember me? I'm your mother. If you have something you want to talk about, I'm always prepared to listen.
Robbie:	You haven't been around much lately.
Ellen:	So that's it. OK, let's talk.
Robbie:	You and Dad are like ships that pass in the night. Dad works hard, and he works late. You work hard on all your committees, and you work late.
Ellen:	I thought you were proud of the work I do.
Robbie:	I am, Mom. Real proud. You are one fantastic mom, but ... but I've been noticing how little quality time you spend with Dad and me ... and the family.
Ellen:	It's a real problem, Robbie. I know it.
Robbie:	I'm concerned. There must be a way that Dad and you can spend more time together.
Ellen:	Well, we always talk about taking a vacation together—with the family.
Robbie:	I think you ought to take a vacation away from the family—alone. Kind of a second honeymoon.
Ellen:	It would be wonderful, but our schedules won't allow it.
Robbie:	I think I have an idea.
Ellen:	You do?
Robbie:	Yup. I think I have an idea that will bring Dad and you together in a more scheduled way.
Ellen:	What is it?
Robbie:	Well, you know how Dad is always talking about the kids in the ward and how important it is for them to be paid attention to?
Ellen:	Yes.
Robbie:	Well ... and how hard it is because the doctors and nurses are so busy?
Ellen:	Yes.
Robbie:	Well, how would it be if you took some time to work with Dad towards solving that problem?
Ellen:	I don't get it.
Robbie:	Like setting up a regular weekly reading program. You and Dad. You and Dr. Philip Stewart—going to the children's ward once or twice a week and reading to them.
Ellen:	Not bad. Not a bad idea, Robbie. As a matter of fact, it fits right in with something I'm working on right now with the school-board committee.
Robbie:	What's that?
Ellen:	I've been trying to work out a program in the public school that will bring parents and teachers together once a week to read to the students—their own children, really. By doing that, it will encourage reading.
Robbie:	So it might fit in with a program for reading to the kids in the hospital.
Ellen:	You're right. We'll do it! I'm going to talk to Daddy about it right now.
Robbie:	But Dad was so exhausted when he came home from work. Why don't you talk to him about it tomorrow?
Ellen:	You are a very smart young man, Robbie. I think I'll wait until tomorrow.
Robbie:	You won't forget, will you?
Ellen:	Believe me, I won't. It is a great idea, and I promise you I won't forget.
Robbie:	Thanks, Mom.
Ellen:	Thank you, Robbie. [She hugs him.]