March 9, 2023
I let out a big yawn as I walked down the hallway toward my nephew Rodney’s bedroom. It was early morning, and I knew he wouldn’t be thrilled about being woken up for school. But I had to do it. As the adult in the house, I was responsible for ensuring he got to school on time. I opened the door to Rodney’s room and was immediately hit with the unpleasant smell of teenage sweat and stale sheets, creating an almost tangible cloud. As I stepped inside, my eyes had to adjust to the dim light filtering in through the curtains. I took in the room slowly, feeling like a detective at a crime scene. Piles of clothes scattered about, some on the floor, others on the bed. A poster of a rock band hung […]