"Bedroom"

Pitter-patter of excited little toes down the hallway. They round the corner where the ink marks their height last Christmas and even with my eyes closed, I can tell from the absence of the loud croaking sound, they’ve remembered to skirt around the loose walnut floorboard. Still glancing at the inside of my eyelids, wrapped in the weighted cloud of our comforter, I start to smell the butter, sugar, eggs, clove, and cinnamon cooking on the griddle and I know Danny’s in the kitchen. One small clammy hand comes to rest on my cheek and I feel tiny, soft lips kiss my face and a little giggle erupts, just as the little volcano of joy erupts in my stomach. Another little pair of hands reach around my ribcage and I feel the tickle of long hair fall across my shoulder as I’m squeezed awake. I slowly peek one eyelid open like the drawing up of the morning shades and I see my little guy dressed in his overalls…