4
I must have been more tired than I thought because I fell asleep on the couch. The next thing I knew it was six in the morning, a full hour before I usually woke up. The reason for the early alarm was the rumble in my stomach. I forgot I hadn’t eaten in sixteen hours, but my stomach hadn’t let that slip its food-centered mind.
I raided my cupboards for cereal and found myself hungering for more than the usual single bowl. Five bowls and a half carton of milk were devoured before I was satiated. I couldn’t recall ever eating that much sugary goodness in one sitting, but the time wouldn’t allow me to ponder the significance. There was also the problem of the doll.
I stood in front of the couch and tilted my head to one side as I stared at the toy. Leaving it out in the open was o
