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.

the TV, and added, “Aunt, I'll

can eat together. I'll ask Tatum to make those bunny

it—be right back!" Angelo didn't

didn't stop him. Her son, Alonzo, was spoiled rotten by the whole family-maybe too

bed. Waking him was a chore she struggled

on him. One whiny "five more minutes"

Tatum weren't around, Alonzo would be late for school, no question- buried under

Angelo bolted upstairs.

on it and yelled, "Bro, get up! You're

but didn't budge. He slapped his hands over his ears, rolled

shouted. "If you don't haul ass Elora's

dropped his hands, sat

up, quick-I've got tea to spill. Open the

open, and stared at him, eyes gleaming with

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