5:42 A.M.

           Adamisgone.Hesuddenlyrushedout,callingtoNurseRamirezthathe’dforgottensomethingimportantandwouldbebackassoonashecould.Hewasalreadyoutthedoorwhenshetoldhimthatshewasabouttogetoffwork.Infact,shejustleft,butnotbeforemakingsuretoinformthenursewho’drelievedOldGrumpythat"theyoungmanwiththeskinnypantsandmessyhair"isallowedtoseemewhenhereturns.

           Notthatitmatters.Willowrulestheschoolnow.Shehasbeenmarchingthetroopsthroughhereallmorning.AfterGranandGrampsandAdam,AuntKatestoppedby.ThenitwasAuntDianeandUncleGreg.Thenmycousinsshuffledin.Willow’srunningtoandfro,agleaminhereye.She’suptosomething,butwhetherit’strottingoutlovedonestolobbyonbehalfofmycontinuingmyearthlyexistenceorwhethershe’ssimplybringingthemintosaygood-bye,Ican’tsay.

           Nowit’sKim’sturn.PoorKim.ShelookslikeshesleptinaDumpster.Herhairhasstagedafull-scalerebellionandmoreofithasescapedhermangledbraidthanremainstuckedinside.She’swearingoneofwhatshecallsher"turdsweaters,"thegreenish,grayish,brownishlumpymasseshermomisalwaysbuyingher.Atfirst,Kimsquintsatme,asifI’mabright,glaringlight.Butthenit’slikesheadjuststothelightanddecidesthateventhoughImaylooklikeazombie,eventhoughtherearetubesstickingoutofeverywhichorifice,eventhoughthere’sbloodonmythinblanketfromwhereit’sseepedthroughthebandages,I’mstillMiaandshe’sstillKim.