Gerald slowly climbed the steps to his mother-in-law's home holding his three-year-old son's soft little hand.

"Papsi, I have to go ah-ah," said Mark.

"Wunderbar," said Gerald. "Then I'm glad we brought this." He lifted the small potty seat he carried in his other hand. 

They reached the front door. His mother-in-law, Mia stood in the doorway smoking. Judging by the look on her face she was in one of her moods. She gave Gerald a cordial kiss on each cheek and patted Mark on the head as he beelined for the bathroom. Then she glared at her daughter Julia hobbling up the stairs behind Gerald.  The two older children trailed behind their mother carrying the bags.

Gerald joined his son in the bathroom where Mark had already eagerly opened the lid.

"You are such a big boy," said Gerald placing the training potty seat on top of the porcelain one. Mark pulled down his pants but couldn't get on top of the two seats without his father lifting him. "Do you want to sit here by yourself for a while?" 

"No, with you," replied Mark.

"Ok, then." Gerald perched on the edge of the bathtub. Outside he heard Mia and Julia arguing in German. He sighed. Weekends at his mother-in-law's house were never peaceful. 

Mark sat for a while swinging his legs over the edge of the toilet. Finally, he smiled signalling his his accomplishment. "I need you to wipe, Papsi."

"Are you sure you are all done?"

"Yes." 

Gerald carefully folded some toilet paper and Mark leaned forward clinging to his father's trousers while his father cleaned his bottom. The disagreement had grown loud outside the door. No doubt the older children had snuck outside into the backyard. 

"Papsi, why is Oma angry?" 

"I don't know," replied Gerald, "but it isn't because of you. You know that right?"

"Yes." Gerald lifted Mark down and helped him pull his pants up straight.

"Go outside and find your brother and sister." 

Mark ran out the back door. Gerald found his wife and her mother in the living room both fuming as much as the cigarettes they sucked on with gusto. 

"He carried it because I'm disabled, Muti. Remember I had polio when you abandoned me in Switzerland for seven years," said Julia through gritted teeth. "You might have noticed I don't walk well."

Mia scowled. Gerald poured himself a cup of coffee from the tray on the coffee table and stirred in some sugar with a carefully polished silver spoon. He wished he could go outside with his children. 

"He's a physicist!" screamed Mai gesturing towards Gerald as she stubbed out her cigarette in a full ashtray beside her. "I can't forgive you. Carrying a child's potty is undignified for man!"