“I don’t think he’s the one doing the blowing,” the young woman said offhandedly, then slapped a hand over her mouth.

She ducked under beds, rifled through a closet, then went to the child and yanked him forward. Scowling, she pulled a jump rope from behind his pillow.

“Thanks, Vinny,” she deadpanned, then returned to Missy with a friendly face.

She held out the rope to her by the handles, then stepped back and took a seat on the edge of a nearby cot.

“So, is that your … brother?”