*drags himself up Carol's front steps a full hour-and-some after he meant to be back, having caught a cab the rest of the way when he realized he wasn't going to make it walking* *is off the hook with the cops, of course, on the rest of the witnesses' say-so—but it sort of hoping none of it never gets back to his aunt anyway (a bar brawl, Jackie Lee??)*
*is a bit surprised to find the door unlocked, but the real bafflement comes when he steps inside and catches a whiff of burnt food* *calls down the hall as he kicks off his shoes and toes them to the side* Aunt Carol? Sorry I'm late—what'd you leave on the stove?
*frowns when there's no answer* *makes his way in toward the kitchen, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly (and thank goodness it's this late, he can probably get away with just going to bed)* *curiously* Caa-arol? What're you up to...? *pokes his head in through the doorway* *and slams to a frozen halt*