Unruly

utside. However, all I find is Jersey, sprawled on the floor, wearing a cape that is clearly too small for him - a remnant from three Halloweens ago. But does that deter him? Absolutely not.

"Hi, Sister," he utters, looking up at me with an expression

to, Jersey?" I

invisible,"

please be invisible somewhere els

ng into my room like a dog. He squeezes under my desk and pushes t

tic idea! Why don't you go to the kitchen?" I say, closing my door and return

can see me,"

ontinue typing, adding another bulleted point t

Jersey repeats

ore him. It's the only way to get him to stop. He tends to ge

a liar," I sa

tell her that

you know," he res

t said you have half a brain, but th

mean?" he as

eans you're amazing because you're not like other

a damn liar,"

know,"

m is a damn li

I ackno

res, crawling out from under the des

he glitch in my reports. It adds another hour to my already

r energetic kids and two loud adults, it's never this quiet, even in the middle of the nig

sound I hear is the ticking of my bedside c

ering down the hallway f

Jersey to be pressed against a wall, pretending to be invisible. He can be quite determined

re away at camp, so they're n

rse

espo

ty begin

ts in as I realize he's not in his little clubhouse or the shed. The only place left to che

sters, or murderers, would spot him instantly and see an opportunity. For the first time, I

front stairs and into the yard. Panic

nd points to the side of her house. She puts a finger to he

understanding neighbors. Living in the s

d quicken my pace to reach the side of her house. There I fi

ble, m

ing him back home, lecturing him the entire way about the scare he put me through. The second option is more annoying, b

rt my gaze, feigning disinterest

u?" I call out, deliberately walking

schievously,

outside!" A devilish part of me joins in the playful banter. I've never been a complete angel. "I'd hate for that lio

ushes as I approach the ga

visible, I might have to call the police. Maybe even a

behind me, but I pretend

abbing me in the back

round, attempting to catch him, bu

he becomes content enough to settle down and let me continue working. "It tastes good," he remarks, licking his lips. "Yeah, it's yummy. Just remember, don't bite it. Apply it, then lick it off. That's how the cool kids do it," I explain. He raises the grape-flavored chapstick to his lips. "Apply it...," he smears it all around his mouth multip