95 EIGHTH AIR

DJ heard counting coming from Angie's room as he neared the doorway and peered inside. His sister was seated on the floor with her backpack open beside her and an array of brand new school supplies arranged in front of her.

"What are you doing, Angie?"

She looked over her shoulder at him. "I'm counting my school supplies to make sure they're all there."

He stepped farther into the room. "But school doesn't start for a couple of weeks still."

She nodded, picking up the colored pencils from the floor that she had been counting. "A lot of sleeps," she acknowledged, and started counting again. "One … two … three … four …"

"Mommy said we have time to play Uno before dinner. Do you want to play?"

Angie inhaled, clearly tempted by the prospect of her current favorite game. She bit her lip, glancing at the school supplies. She looked back at her brother. "I'll be done soon," she said. "Then I'll play, okay?"