My parents are gone for the week. It's the annual conference for the Hmong Christian and Missionary Alliance churches, and they've left to attend it, as always.

And us? We're left here alone, two young ones and two almost-adult persons.

Normally, I suppose, leaving teenagers at home alone for a week would entail trouble, but our parents trust us and know we're sensible.

But they've left and it's done, so all we can do is wait.

And hope the house doesn't burn down after someone leaves the cold pizza in the microwave for too long.