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17 He woke to the sound of someone at the apartment door. A
muffled thump, the scrape of a key. Reuben sat up with a gasp. He
hadn’t meant to fall asleep. What time was it? How long had he
slept? His eyes shot to the alarm clock. Almost six. But it couldn’t
be his mom at the door—she had to work that evening. And yet
there was no mistaking the familiar squeak of the lock turning.

18 Reuben leaped up, snatched the wooden box, and shoved it
under his bed. He was groggy, disoriented, wondering if he should
hide. He was still trying to decide, watching with dread through his

bedroom doorway, when the apartment door swung open.
19 “Hey, kid, guess who’s home?” called a familiar voice, and
Reuben almost collapsed with relief.
20 His mom stepped in, closing the door with her foot. She had
her purse slung over one shoulder, a larger handbag with her
change of clothes in it over the other, and grocery sacks in both
hands. She turned and saw him gaping at her. “Oh, hey! Change of
plans. I’m off tonight.” She cocked her head to the side. “Reuben?
Are you okay? Hello?”

21 Reuben snapped to and rushed to help her. Her forehead was
beaded with sweat. She thanked him as he carried the grocery sacks
into the kitchen. “Whew,” she breathed, letting her purse and
handbag drop to the floor. She kicked her shoes off to complete the

pile. “Were you wondering why I didn’t call from the market?”
22 “Sorry, no, I just woke up,” he said, hurrying back to lock the
door. “I guess I fell asleep. I mean, I know I did—I just didn’t mean
to.” He shook his head. He still felt rattled from waking up in such
a fright.

muffled A muffled sound is quiet and hard to hear.
gaping If you are gaping at something, you are staring at it.

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