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.

grabbed the remote, killed the TV, and added, “Aunt, I'll

to get up so we can eat together.

right back!" Angelo

son, Alonzo, was spoiled rotten

bed. Waking him was a

him. One whiny "five more minutes"

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

Angelo bolted upstairs.

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

He slapped his hands over his ears, rolled over, and tried

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

it-Tatum cooking and Elora home. Alonzo dropped his hands, sat up, and scrambled out of

would I lie?" Angelo grinned. "Get up, quick-I've got

at him, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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