TWELVE

  Nick Atkins stood by the door, tapping his foot impatiently. He looked at his watch, looked at his oldest daughter, sitting in front of the television surfing through channels. He shook his head and pressed the bridge of his nose. "Just because you all get to go to school late does not mean you can slack off. Darin get your sister down here this instant. Lacey are all the bags in the cars?" He barked.

     "Yes." She answered with eyes fixed on the screen.

"Then get off the couch and get moving. And hurry up you two. I do not want to miss my flight and I do not want you missing more classes than you have to." He let out a deep breath and looked at his watch again.

     Sadey let go of Darin's hand when they reached the bottom of the stairs. She ran to Lacey who was turning off the television. "Lacey you've got butter in your hair." She giggled. Lacey got to her feet with a groan, pulling her h