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

Alonzo to get up so we can eat together.

Angelo

was spoiled rotten by the whole

a battle; the kid loved his bed. Waking him was a

she was too soft on him. One whiny "five more

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

Angelo bolted upstairs.

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

the noise but didn't budge. He slapped his hands over his ears, rolled over, and tried to

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

it-Tatum cooking and Elora home. Alonzo dropped his hands, sat

"Get up, quick-I've got tea

and stared at him, eyes gleaming with

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