Justin woke early—his eyes snapped open the moment the sunlight hit the windows of the living room. He was stiff from sleeping on the couch, and it took him a while to sit, and a while longer to strand and stretch his aching muscles. He could hear Uncle Steve snoring, and he slipped out into the hallway to check the door to the kids’ room. It was still shut, but Justin opened it a crack and peered inside. They were all sleeping still, even Scarlett. Justin pulled the door shut softly and headed for the kitchen.
The kitchen was still a mess from Uncle Steve’s party the other night, with bottles and cans and overflowing ashtrays everywhere. One of the cabinet doors had been ripped off. Justin found a garbage bag under the sink and set about cleaning up as quietly as he could, even though th
