to be a grownup

 Jools knew it was a long shot. The sleeping arrangements. Why hadn't he thought this out before. Of course, he was trying to figure out what would have worked. Besides, he knew how Mick liked being alone at night. He liked his own bed.

But Mick didn't fret. He slept like a log. 

Still, Jools knew he would have hated for Mick to have his own room. The worry was real. He would have been stressed if Valentina had her own room. It was like a nightmare every time he closed his eyes that someone was out there ready to snatch Mick or Valentina.

Yet he laid in bed wondering if he'd ever get to sleep. He'd had a short nap early on which might have amounted to an hour or so. Because evidently, he was so tired. He knew now he would have never made it as a truckdriver. Honestly, he might have been the worst grownup, too. It wasn't as easy being so reliable as one might think. After all, he'd had Evan all this time to tell him how life should be. And they'd led a very quiet one.

He shook the thought of what Evan would have done. Still, he jerked himself up. He was in his sleep pants and tank. Maybe he should go over and bang on the door where Val and Matty were. Of course, he didn't want to scare them either. He checked his phone. It was already five-thirty.

Jools winced hard. Well, he guessed it was a lot longer nap than he thought. He sighed and turned on the lamp.

"Is it time to get up already?" Mick was groggy with a hard wince. He stumbled off to the bathroom.

Jools guessed it was good to be up early than later. He made a quick call to Valentina and hoped for the best. She answered on the third ring.

"You guys up?" He wanted to know.

"We are now," she sounded not quite awake.

"Then let's meet up in an hour." Jools did his best to smile. No need to question her. Probably it was a lot better not knowing everything going on between Val and Matty.

He clicked off and put down his phone. He scratched the back of his head in thought. Still, the way Valentina had looked at Matty when they got here, he bet they didn't go to sleep right away.

"What's the matter?" Mick came out with toothpaste in his mouth about to brush his teeth.

"It's nothing." Jools knew he was just being silly.

Mick went back in and finished brushing his teeth. Jools knew he needed to shower and change too. It was their big day at the amusement park.