Day and Night

In The Dark

From the kitchen she hears the distressed cry. She sets down her coffee and stands up from the table. Pausing at her son's seat, she rests her hand on his shoulder.

"Have a good day at school, I've got this."

"Love you, Mom." He responds as he continues eating his breakfast.

She enters the room quietly and moves over to the bed kneeling beside it as the figure thrashes. A whimper of fear escapes as he pulls away from her hand touching his face. Shushing him, she reaches out again and speaks softly,

"Shhh, you're okay. I'm here. I'll keep you safe." Her hand strokes along his cheek and her fingers comb through his hair.

His breathing is still harsh, but the crying slows down, and his eyes blink open. She's not surprised to see a look of confusion staring back at her from the face she loves so much. His eyes trace her face as if relearning it.

"Let me guess. You had a bad dream, didn't you?" She asks.

He nods slowly as a shuddering breath escapes. "Weally bad dweam." He confirms sadly. The stuffed dog in his arms famous for solving mysteries with his buddy and eating his namesake snacks was clutched close to his chest. Shifting closer to the hand stroking his head, he curled up on his side.

"Do you want to talk about the bad dream?" She asks gently, almost casually. She had trod these waters many times before and knew just how much to coax and how much to wait.

The quiet hum of agreement was followed by a soft "Otay."

And still she waited patiently while continuing to stroke his head.

"Do you want me to lay down with you and hold you?" The question was barely asked before his head began to nod, so she crawled over and draped herself behind him, her arms wrapping loosely around his middle.

Rotating in her arms, he burrowed his face under her chin. They lay holding each other awhile before he finally spoke. The shuddering had nearly left his breathing and she thought he might have drifted back to sleep until he began talking.

"It wuz a scawy monser."

"What kind of scary monster?"

"It wook like Daddy when he had lotsa beers. It was all growly an' stompy an' an' scawy."

"That sounds like a very scary monster. I'm sorry you had such a scary dream, Baby."

"Not a dweam." He shook his head while still tucked beneath her chin. "Membery." He whispered sadly.

She squeezed him a little tighter. "I know, Baby, but you know what?" She waited for a response to be sure he was listening.

"Whut?" He asked finally.

"That scary monster can't get you anymore. Because he went away and because you aren't the same little boy he used to hurt. You're a big boy now, bigger than he was."

"But I no scawy." He declared.

"No, you're everyone's big protector. That's one of the many qualities I love about you."

"Sometimes I no feel big. Or bwave. Sometimes I feel small and scawed." He admitted softly.

"And I love you those times too." She kissed the top of his head making him giggle. "Do you think you can sleep some more now?"

"I tink so. Maybe if I has my doggie an' my paci." He thought.

"I'm sure it's here somewhere in these twisted covers." She promised. "Let's feel around and see who can find it first."

They both started patting the covers until she stopped and held it up victoriously. "Here it is!"

He clapped his hands and smiled. "Yay! Tank you!" He leaned forward for her to pop the paci in his mouth but was surprised when she leaned in and gave his mouth a quick peck first. He giggled.

"You siwwy." He announced around the paci she had inserted gently.

"No, you're silly." She teased as she stood up. "I'll see you when you get up from your nap." She promised.

"Otay." he smiled as he snuggled into the covers.