time

E:  [Comes downstairs to get me in my office.]  Daddy can you come upstairs now [and help mom, who's had 2 hours sleep, make dinner]?

Me:  Sure, tell mommy I'll be up in a minute.

E:  How long, exactly, does that mean?

Me:  I'll be up in one minute, tell mommy I won't be long, I'm just finishing this one thing.

E:  Okay, I'll go upstairs and set the timer so I can make sure [so he goes and sets the timer on the stove].