After asking around for a while, they found Solana's mother in the gigantic laundry room. Her long, curly brown hair hid her face and pretty brown eyes, but she turned to them when they approached, revealing a slightly large stomach. She smiled.

  "Mom, this is the girl we rescued recently. Her name's Dominica," Solana said.

  "So, you met chatterbox Solana," Miranda said, her eyes twinkling. "I'm Miranda, and in here is Ryan or Rae." She patted her stomach.

  "Hi," Dominica said.

  "Mom, do you know where Zadok is?" Solana asked.

  "I believe he's watching that baseball game again," she answered, sighing. "That boy is so addicted to it, I'm starting to think that it's the only thing he'll ever watch."

  Dominica and Solana went off.

  "Zadok is a baseball addict, not to mention he's addicted to golf, basketball, hockey, and almost every other sport imaginable," Solana said, rolling her eyes. "Well, let's go. He should be in the main room."

  They went back to the main room and they found Zadok there with two of his friends, Matt and Lee. They watched the trio goofing off and making silly comments.

  "Do they do anything useful?" Dominica asked.

  "If you call raiding the kitchen and driving everyone crazy," Solana answered, "then yes."

  "I mean, do they do work?" Dominica asked.

  "Well, they do work when they have to, but they almost never really try to be useful. If they get too crazy, they're usually booted outside to do some foraging. They each have tp fill up a big basket before they're allowed inside again," Solana replied.

  "Matthan! Matthan Lamar!" A short, skinny woman ran into the room. "Why is your bed still unmade?"

  Matthan, usually known as Matt, sheepishly stood up. "Sorry, Mom. I-uh-forgot to make it this morning." He turned to his friends. "See ya later, guys."

  "Bye, Matt." Zadok waved.

  "Bye," Lee added.

  Soon after Matthan left, Zadok noticed Solana and Dominica.

  "Mom have more women's work for me?" he asked, with a curious glance at Dominica.

  "No, for once," Solana said, gesturing to Dominica. "Guys, this is the girl we rescued recently. Her name's Dominica."

  "Oh." Zadok turned to the game.

  "Hi, Dominica." Lee waved and turned back to the game. "Did you just see that sweet play, Zadok?"

  Solana tugged on Dominica's sleeve. "Come on. Let's go find Dad."

  They walked off.