The Sound in the Stairs

Thump, thump, thump...

All night as I lay in my bed.

I look over at my sister.

Sleeping.

I toss.

I turn.

The next morning.

NO sleep.

Everything's okay.

I tell my father,

I tell my mother,

about the sound in the stairs.

They laugh.

It's all in my head.

That sound in the stairs.

Thump, thump, thump...

Again.

Always again.

Every night.

Again I tell.

I tell my father,

I tell my mother.

Three years old.

I don't understand.

Can't they hear?

Can't they hear that,

Thump, thump, thump...

Every night.

Again no sleep.

ENOUGH!

I get up.

Across the hall.

My parents.

Asleep.

Safe.

Dark.

Thump, thump, thump...

I hear the noise.

Coming from the stairs.