TATRK: Grizelda and the Sleep Problem

Grizelda was lying in her bed, wide awake, with Frookie by her side. He was also awake.

Of course she had tried to go to sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, she saw her parents. And if she did doze off for a bit, she'd dream of the things that happened.

(The dreams were brief, like when you dream you're falling for a bit and then wake up shortly after, you know?)

Anyway, Grizelda just layed there, unsure of what to do.

"Oh Frookie, what do I do? I just can't get to sleep!" said Grizelda, sitting up in bed.

Frookie got in Grizelda's lap and licked her cheek.

"Hehe, thanks for trying to help Frookie. But I still don't think I'll be able to get to sleep. Oh, what should I do!?"

Frookie hopped down from the bed and walked over to the door

"Huh? What is it Frookie?"asked Grizelda

Frookie stood on his hind legs and stood up against the bedroom door.

"You, you think I should go to aunt Gloria and uncle Gregory?" asked Grizelda

Frookie yapped

"Well, I'm not sure. It's kinda late. What if they get mad at me for bothering them?"

Frookie just looked at her.

"Oh well. I guess I could try. I mean there's no harm in it." said Grizelda

Grizelda got out of bed, walked over to the door, and opened it. She could see a light down the hall coming from her aunt and uncle's room, which was a good distance away. The dark hallway made Grizelda nervous, so after a few seconds of standing and looking, she fast walked towards the room.

The room had two doors. One was left open, while the other was closed.

Grizelda peeked into the room, careful not to let them see her. They were both reading books. Grizelda quickly hid back behind the closed door.

"Well Frookie, I guess it's time." said Grizelda looking at the white dog.

Grizelda slowly peeked out from behind the door, which still hid half of her body. She then stepped out into the doorway completely.  At that moment, it just so happened that Gregory looked up from his book and saw Grizelda standing there.

"Oh hello Grizelda. Is something wrong?" asked Gregory

"Yes. Is something the matter dear?" asked Gloria, who had also looked up from her book.

"I, I can't sleep."  Grizelda said, looking down

"Oh, well, come get in our bed." said Gregory

"A-Alright. Can Frookie come too?" asked Grizelda

"Of course he can." said Gregory

Grizelda slowly walked to the bed with Frookie following behind. She then climbed up at the foot of the bed, with Frookie also hopping up. Grizelda crawled up to her aunt and uncle.

"So, you can't sleep huh?" said Gregory

"Uh huh." said Grizelda

"Hmm. Do you know why you can't sleep?" asked Gregory

"Well, I, I think so."

"Well then, what is it?" asked Gregory

"It's just that I...I keep thinking about...my parents."

"Oh. I see." said Gregory

"Every time I close my eyes, I see them. I see their faces! And when I do doze off, I dream of them and what they did!"

Grizelda now had tears in her eyes. She hugged Gregory and began to sob.

"Ssh, it's ok Grizelda. You're safe now. They can't hurt you anymore. I promise." said Gregory, cradling Grizelda in his lap and running his fingers through her blonde hair.

"Your uncle is right dear. You don't have to worry. They're in jail now. And they won't get out for a really long time." said Gloria

"I know. I'm just scared that they might break out and come back, and try to take the crystals and hurt me and Frookie!"

"Well, you don't have to be scared. Me and your aunt won't let them or anyone else hurt you. We promise." said Gregory

"That's right. We'll always protect you." said Gloria

"Thanks guys. I'm sorry if I bothered you." said Grizelda

"Huh? What do you mean dear?" asked Gloria

"Well, I thought that you'd be mad at me because it's late." said Grizelda

"Oh sweetie, that doesn't matter. You can come to us whenever you need us, whether that be midnight or mid-day." said Gloria

"Exactly!" said Gregory

"You, you really mean it?" asked Grizelda

"Of course we do!" said Gregory

Grizelda teared up again, only this time they were tears of joy. She hugged both Gregory and Gloria around the neck at the same time.

"I love you guys!" said Grizelda

"We love you too dear!" said Gloria

"Yes. We love you to the edge of the universe and back!" said Gregory

"Um, uncle Gregory?" Grizelda asked

"Yes cake pop?"

"I still don't think I can go to sleep. I'm not even tired!"

"Hmm, I think I have something that may help. Follow me." said Gregory

Gregory and Grizelda got out of bed and walked to the kitchen. Gregory then opened a cabinet and pulled out a small plastic medicine bottle, which was clear with a purple label that said melatonin.

"Me-la-to-nin? What's that?"asked  Grizelda

"Well, that's something in your body that makes you sleep. And these gummies have some inside them. I take them sometimes to help me sleep. Here. Just take two and you'll be asleep before you know it."

"Ok. If you say so." said Grizelda

Grizelda took two from the bottle and ate them.

"Ok, now let's go back to the bed and wait." said Gregory

They both walked back to the room and got in bed, and Grizelda got under the covers in between Gregory and Gloria. They were all laying flat on their backs.

"Uuh, uncle Gregory?" asked Grizelda 

"Mhm?"

"Will...will I ever stop thinking about my parents?" asked Grizelda

"Well sweetie, I'm afraid not. You see, we can't forget what happened to us, however, we can control how we react to it. Feeling how you do about them is normal. Your parents were not good people. They were greedy and unloving, and you probably hate them. But the best you can do is forgive them. Not for them, but for you. If you do that, then you can move on."

"I can?" asked Grizelda

"Yep." said Gregory

"Oh." *yawn* "That's good."

Grizelda snuggled up next to Gregory and wrapped her arm around his torso. Frookie meanwhile was curled up on the bed.

Gregory wrapped his arm around his niece, who had already fallen fast asleep, and was now softly snoring.

"She sure is adorable isn't she?" asked Gloria

"Hehe, she sure is." said Gregory "Looks like the melatonin worked. Well, we should probably go to sleep now ourselves."

"Yeah, you're right." said Gloria "Goodnight honey."

"Goodnight." said Gregory

Grizelda slept happily that night, in the bed of her loving aunt and uncle, and she knew that she could always go to them for anything, no matter what. And they would always be there for her.

The End