There was a pounding on the bedroom door. My eyes fluttered open to find sunlight streaming into the attic.
Lacey groaned. “What is it, Henry?”
The door creaked and then banged against the wall. “Did Kimberley sleep over?”
“Does it look like she’s in this room?”
“Yes.”
“Then she did sleep over.”
“Cool.” Lacey’s younger brother ran over to my side of the bed and plopped cross-legged on the floor. “Do you want breakfast?”
I turned my head toward him, trying to focus. “Yes, I do.”
“Mom is making pancakes. Do you like them?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Bacon?”
“One of my favorites.” I could smell it in the air.
“Good. It’s one of mine too. Will you be ready to eat soon?”
I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep from snorting. Lacey had the most adorable little brother ever. “Is your mom making you wait until we come down?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Give us ten minutes to get dressed.”
“Ten? That sounds like a lot.”
“Seven, then,” I said in a firm voice.
He rose and ran from the room.
Beside me, Lacey laughed. “You handled that very well.”
“How do you keep from laughing every time you talk to him?”
“Practice.”
We were ready in six minutes and were about to head down the stairs when Lacey caught my arm. “Do you know where Sean went for Christmas?”
“I don’t think so.” I grabbed my phone and opened my notes. “What made you think of that?”
“It’s been puzzling me. Mrs. Tucker and Sara kept their consignment shop open until Christmas Eve. Did his father go with him?”
“Yes.” Lacey was right. It had felt strange when Sean mentioned it. But if I’d asked other questions, he hadn’t answered because my notes only had the one detail. “Maybe he was visiting colleges.”
“Someone like Sean would already have that decision made. Has he said where he’s applying?”
I shook my head helplessly. It seemed like the kind of information a friend should know, but nothing was emerging from the recesses of my brain.
“Hey, guys,” Henry called up the stairs. “It’s been seven minutes.”
Lacey called back, “On our way, little man.”
We smiled at each other. There were pancakes waiting. We’d have to solve the Sean puzzle later.
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