I’m about to tell Hansel and Gretel that it’s their turn to hide in the closet, when I change my mind.

“Go ahead,” I say. “Have you ever watched TV?”

“Yeah,” she says. “Today after school. How do those people get in there anyway? How does it work?”

I laugh. “I have no idea,” I admit.

She shakes her head. “I’m sure you want to see your parents. You go. Really. I’m happy to take a nap in your bed. So soft! Like sleeping on clouds. And this pillow,” she says with a sigh, leaning her head against it. “Like a marshmallow. I don’t have a pillow of my own. Just a bale of hay in an old dress that I put under my head.”

A bale of hay? Like in the cottage? That’s horrible. I suddenly feel really bad about all the complaining I did yesterday.

“Well, get some rest,” I say. “I’ll keep my mom out. I’ll wake you at midnight.”

I quickly change into pj’s, say good night, and tuck her in. As I look around my room at all my stuff, I realize how much I really have. And not just the basic stuff like pillows and a comfy bed and warm clothes. I have a nice house. Great parents. A teacher who cares how I do on tests. Friends. I have all that and so many extras. Like a family laptop and iPad. My amazing watch. And how many pairs of shoes do I have in my closet? A lot.

I run down to see my parents.

“Hi!” I call out, jumping in between them. I give them a big hug. “I love you guys. Have I told you that lately? You’re the best.”

“What’s up with you two today?” my mom asks, looking between me and Jonah. “It’s like aliens possessed my kids!”

“Don’t jinx it,” my dad says. “I like it.”

Jonah is already sitting on the couch. He gives me a wink.

At least I think it’s Jonah.

I’m ninety-nine percent sure.

“I think I’m still hungry,” my dad says. “Should I get us something sweet? Chocolate-chip cookies maybe?”

Jonah and I look at each other. We’ve had a lot of sugar in the last twenty-four hours. A LOT.

I shrug. “There’s always room for a snack.”

* * *

My alarm goes off at eleven fifty. I slept on the floor and let Gretel sleep in my bed. I’m nice like that.

I shake Gretel awake. She yawns and stands up. “Time to go?” she asks.

“Yup,” I say. “Let’s go wake up our little brothers.”

We sneak into Jonah’s room. Jonah is in his bed, and Hansel is sleeping on the floor — I guess Jonah is not as nice as I am. Or Hansel likes sleeping on the floor. I wake up Jonah, and Gretel wakes up Hansel.

Both boys have the same funny bedhead.

“Be right back,” I say, and rush into my room. I grab the big box from under my bed and carry it into the hallway.