I used to cringe each time our doorbell rang. Nine times out of ten the person on the other side of the door was Lindy, the girl from a few houses down the street. "Can you play today?" she'd ask. "No, I'm doing homework," I'd say, even if I wasn't. "Can I help your mom with the baby?" she would ask next. Before I could say no, there was my mom inviting her inside again.