EIGHTEEN

The following morning after another Sunday of absenting himself from church but this time around to avoid his parents, Steve walked blindly into the bathroom to sprinkle water on his face to get the sleep out of his eyes.

He glanced at the wall clock.

Prayer time with Tory. He thought.

Vincent had been here for almost two weeks and they had not included him yet. Maybe they would this morning.

Picking up his Bible, he walked out of the room into Tory's. He wasn't surprised to see her sitting up as soon as he walked in.

"Morning Daddy."

"Morning baby. How did Daddy's princess sleep?" He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"Like a real princess?"

He chuckled softly. "That's how it should be."

"Do you think Vincey could join us this morning?"

"Let's ask him?"

"Okay."

Steve knocked on Vincent's door.

"You know you can come in, mom."

"It's...daddy, Vincent."

"Come in."

Steve walked in and saw Vincent sitting up on his bed. "Morning."