My eyes opened early the next morning. The curtains remained open where I'd forgotten to close them last night, and the sun broke through like a blinding beacon. I grabbed a quick shower and put on jeans and a T-shirt before going to Miss Pearl's. I stuffed a bit of cash in my pocket and went to see what she had going on for breakfast. Sunday mornings were usually reserved for church, but she'd made an exception, and I was welcomed by the scent of warm sugar and fresh cinnamon rolls. If she weren't older than Methuselah, she could have a nice career opening a restaurant of some sort.
The kids were still asleep in the living room when I walked in-all but Emmy, who was jammed right up next to Pearl in the kitchen making icing for the cinnamon rolls. She was in her element as much as my nei
