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Carson’s heart went out to the little guy who’d tried so hard all day to keep it together She brought to s of a ently took his bag

"Hey, little man, let’s check out the bedroo Toht off to see the dolphins," she told hi he’d feel more comfortable if she laid out the plan of the day "You can have the bed in front of the TV Does that sound good? This is your space," she said, walking over to pat the futon mattress "Tell you what While I jump into the shower, you can watch TV and unpack Take your time Okay?"

He stared at the futon but didn’t respond

Carson felt theto her skin and couldn’t wait to wash them away She turned on the television, found a local station of cartoons, then pulled down the futon into a bed The sheets were crisp and slass of water, set it on the table by the futon, and waited Soon, Nate’s interest was captured by the cartoons She wanted him to acclimate at his own pace She went to the back roo that reeked of fast food, and went into the pink bathrooh for one person to stand in but the water in the shoas hot After a blissful scrubbing, she felt revived

Wrapping herself in a towel, she went back out into the roo his many dolphin books and clothes into the bureau drawers On top of the bureau, he’d laid out in a neat row his toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, shampoo, liquid soap, and a book

"Nice job," she told hi in She followed suit, unzipping her bag She casually set her toiletry bag on the dresser

"No!" he exclaio"

"Can’t we both put our things here? There’s plenty of room"

"No"

Biting her tongue, Carson withdrew her toiletry bag and went to put it in the bottoo," he told her in a voice bordering on panicked

"Nate, there are three drawers We have to share"

"No!" he exploded "My books go in there"

"Where do o, then?"

"I don’t know" He thrust out his chin and turned his back to her

Carson heard obstinacy in his tone and kneas teetering on the brink tonight Hearing the triggers, she held her tongue and went to the small closet and set her suitcase in there She’d lived out of a suitcase before, she told herself