Symmone trailed her fingers along the oak banister as she ascended the stairs. With school out for the summer, the kids were able to do something they longed to do: go to day camp with their friends. The eight hours they spent away from home every day staved off their inevitable lament of boredom and would keep them learning. She paused in the hallway to catch her breath then veered to her left. With only three rooms occupied she wanted to make sure the kids were keeping up their end of the bargain. 172 She peeked first in LJ’s room. For once his bed was neatly made and his clothes were strewn in a laundry basket. She made a mental note to grab a few Phineas and Ferb decorations. She closed the door and continued down the hall to the last door. Jewel’s room wasn’t as neat as her brother’s, but at least she had the general idea. The bedspread lay at an angle, but the little girl’s shoes were lined in an orderly row in front of the closet door. Symmone chuckled and backed from the room.
