I turned my back from the door, rolling toward Marley’s bed. When I opened my eyes, Marley did too. She was on her side, facing me. She winked at me before she stretched her limbs and yawned, as if she’d just come to. “Morning, everyone,” she said in a husky whisper. She sat up. “Oh. Hi, Mommy. Good morning. You look lovely.”

Mrs. Bricket combed down her pencil skirt. It was mint green, starting above her navel and landing right below the knees. She’d tucked a flowy white blouse into it, the kind that had a bow built into the neckline. Her hair was almost the same shade as Marley’s, like bleached wheat rinsed in champagne, and she had it pulled into a low ponytail. I wasn’t sure what her job was. Something that made her dress up a few mornings a week and drive forty miles each way. That’s all I’d learned.

“Did you hear me?” Mrs. Bricket asked.

Marley gave her a coy grin. “Oh, no. I was sound asleep. What is it?”

“You need to take your friends to the Stantons’. I’ve already texted all of their parents letting them know that’s where they’ll be. Please eat breakfast there.”

“Perfect. Sounds amazing. Will do.”

“And clean up your room before you go,” Mrs. Bricket added.

“Mm-hmm.”

“All right. See you later.” Mrs. Bricket started closing the door. “Please be good, Marley.”

Marley blew her mother a kiss. “Of course.”

“Love you,” her mom said in a clipped rush, shutting the door as Marley answered with a “Love you too.”

Mrs. Bricket’s heels clacked along on the hardwood of the hallway. Once the sound of her steps disappeared, Marley picked up her cherry-red polish and finished painting her left hand.

“Do you guys wanna swim here today?” she asked, a mischievous smirk plastered across her face.

6

My curtains failed to make my room dark enough. Light still snuck in through slits I couldn’t seem to cover, even by pinning together the thick, black fabric designed to block everything out. I rushed into my cocoon all the same, hoping it would be good enough. That was all anyone ever settled for anyway.

By the time I’d caught my breath and mellowed out, hours had passed. The sun still waved at me through the curtain slits, but softer. An entire day of the Adventure was almost done slipping away from me, all because of Camp Califree.

I pressed my door open an inch at a time, needing to be in control of when my family realized I’d come back around. I tiptoed down the stairs, unsure of what awaited me. Mom sat on the couch watching reality TV. Aidy lounged beside her in the recliner. Without her phone to stare at, she gazed blankly at the television.