HETTIE PALMER HEFTED her hockey bag onto her shoulder and followed her mother and her brother up the stone steps. Once in the doorway, she let the bag drop with a thud and turned to hug her mom, who kissed her on the top of her head.
“I’ll call you tonight before bed,” her mom said.
Hettie nodded and tried to smile. Then she took out her key and unlocked the door to her dad’s house.
As her mom’s minivan pulled away, Hettie closed the door behind her and shouted to her brother, who had already pushed past her, heading downstairs to the rec room. “Mitchell! No cartoons until we put our stuff away!”
“I’m watching TV!” he shouted back.
“Come on!” She was annoyed now. “We have to empty the bag before dad gets home.”
Mitchell trudged up the stairs, thumping as loudly as he could with each step. “Who made you boss?” He asked this every week.
“Dad did.” She gave him the same
