All the lights we cannot sort of see, barely.

DADDY!!
she shrieked.
WHAT are you doing?!

Uhh...
I paused, unsure of the calamity I was sparking.
I'm...setting the table. So we can eat.

Do you even -
she flung up her hands
- CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?!

Uhh...
I stumbled again, scrambling to decipher what eco-catastrophe I was in the middle of creating.

Why...
she paused, apparently for effect.
...WHY are you turning on the lights!?!?

So we can...eat?
I said cautiously.

WE DON'T NEED LIGHTS TO EAT!! LOOK!
she violently pointed out the window.
Look! There's the sun. That's all the light we need to see! Are you really going to waste electricity by turning on the lights?! Do you even care about saving electricity and helping the environment?!

There was nothing more to say.

I ate in contemplative silence, and navigated spoon to mouth in the semi-darkness.

I wish,
her brother murmured wistfully,
that we didn't drive a car that has an engine and makes exhaust.