Run: 2026-03-03-01KJTYF6JNQV11BDM0YSF3850Q

Crouched behind a suburban hedge, hoods pulled low against the twilight, Molly and Bill ducked as a minivan rumbled past. Molly nudged Bill’s elbow with her half-empty coffee cup. “You positive the lawn guy left the side gate unlocked like he promised?” Bill flipped a crumpled grocery list scrawled with stick-figure blueprints of the backyard. “Said he bailed at 3:45, party wraps at 7. Nine minutes between piñata smash and cake line.” Molly snatched the list, crumpling it into a tight ball in her fist. “What about Grandma Mabel? She’s glued to the present table all night, tucking kids’ handwritten cards back into piles like a hawk.” Bill snickered, darting a quick glance toward the backyard’s glowing string lights. “Told her I’m a local nursery rep, asked about her prize roses. She’s rambling about aphids over by the flower bed.” Molly stifled a snort, clapping a hand over her mouth. “What if the birthday mom catches us? She’s got eyes like a hawk.” “I brought a pack of cheap glow sticks,” Bill whispered. “Will distract her for two minutes—enough time to stuff the duffel.” Molly grabbed the canvas duffel from the hedge’s shadow, her grin sharp under her hood. “Let’s go scoop all the birthday presents. And don’t even think about skipping the giant rainbow lollipops by the snack table—non-negotiable spoils.”