It’s 6am and he’s already tired. He slept on the floor. Stevie, Stacey, and his mom all fit themselves into the bed, and there’s a cot for his dad. Sam’s back hurts. The blanket he uses is scratchy; he misses his old blue comforter that he’s had since he was nine.

Sam gets up before everyone else. He needs to or else he’ll be pressed against four other people trying to get ready in the morning. He needs time alone to breathe before he starts another day.

( He hates this bathroom. )