Time to crash.

Mrs. Ormond, who'd been tossing and turning half the night, finally drifted off.

They didn't talk again till morning.

Normally, she'd sleep till noon, but worry dragged her out of bed early today, despite barely resting.

Downstairs, Elora was still out on her morning run, not back yet. Tatum was in the kitchen, whipping up breakfast for her and her two siblings like clockwork.

"Aunt!" Angelo piped up from the couch, where he'd been glued to the TV. He jumped up when he saw Mrs. Ormond. "Good morning!"

"Angelo, you're up early," she said. "Your brother still snoozing?"

"I hit the hay early last night, so I'm up now," he replied.

remote, killed the TV, and added, “Aunt, I'll run upstairs and wake

Alonzo to get up so we can eat together. I'll ask Tatum to make those bunny pancakes you

Angelo didn't hesitate, darting

stop him. Her son, Alonzo, was spoiled rotten by the whole family-maybe too

the kid loved his bed. Waking him was a chore she struggled with

too soft on him. One whiny "five more minutes" and

Alonzo would be late for school, no question- buried under

Angelo bolted upstairs.

on it and yelled,

the noise but didn't budge. He slapped his hands

is back from her trip!" Angelo shouted. "If you don't haul ass Elora's gonna come back from her run and

his hands, sat up, and scrambled out of bed. "For real?"

"Get up,

at him, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "What's the

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