The neighborhood was dead quiet, holding its breath under the autumn sun.

The calm face of Elm Street stayed in place while I took my family life apart from the inside.

A yellow school bus came around the corner.

Its diesel engine growled as it rolled past the neighborhood mailboxes.

The bus stopped right in front of our driveway.

The air brakes hissed.

The folding doors swung open.

Cody climbed down first.