****
Two days later, the boys came home early from school and found their stepfather passed out on the living room floor. They took turns watching him while the other searched through the cabinets. They knew exactly where to look: the liquor cabinet.
They made their way over to it and removed a few bottles of wine. After putting them back, they grabbed an empty bottle and filled it with water before hiding it in the drawer near the front table.
When they returned to the living room, they sat on either side of their stepfather. They watched him carefully for a long time. He was breathing heavily, which was unusual.
After half an hour or so, he stirred, mumbling incoherently. Then he rolled over and started snoring again.
That gave the boys enough time to make another trip to the liquor cabinet and remove two more bottles of wine. They carried them upstairs to their bedroom.
