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Summer

Four and A Half Years Old
 
Tommy looked out the window at the darkening grayness of the day.   He was glad it was not a damp night.
He would have to work fast with Sissy if he was going to get her to sleep.  He hoped he could pull it off.  Staying up all night with a two year old was not easy.  He would be clumsy with her by morning, if he did not sleep enough.
He looked over at her, finger in mouth, watching the TV.  Wheel of Fortune.  He liked it, too.
But he went over and shut it off.
"Come on, Sissy," he put out his hand.  "You need a clean-up."
She pulled her finger out of her mouth, whiter than her other fingers and took his hand.  Tommy was all hers, as far as she was concerned.
He took the orange washcloth to her face, warm and gentle.  She never fought.
"Do you want to sleep in bed with me tonight, Sissy?" he asked brightly.
She clapped her hands, eyes alive.  "O.K.!"
Then she stopped.
She frowned.
"Bedtime now?" she asked.
"Yeah, Sissy.  Bedtime now."
"Tommy," she pouted, her baby voice scratchy.
 
He curled up under the blue blanket with her, closing her off from the edge of the bed.  She was turned, staring at the wall.   Her hair was full of blonde curls and snags at the back.
Her eyes remained open.
He rubbed her back.  "We can eat cookies for breakfast if you want, Sissy," he whispered to her.
She turned her head, eyes to the corner of their sockets.  "O.K."  She settled back.
Tommy did not say another word, but continued to rub her back.  Soft.  Fast.
If he did not stop, she would go out soon.  He hoped his hand would not cramp. 
Soon, her breathing deepened.  Low, soft sighs. 
He carefully perched himself up on his elbow and leaned in close to her in the fading light.   His blue shirt brushed her naked back.   Her eyes were closed.   He collapsed back on the bed fully,  in relief.  He would sleep, too.
"Tommy," she suddenly spoke loudly.  His heart stopped.  "Where Momma?" 



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Comments

ticknart said…
Queenie, thanks for the nice words, you're a pretty good writer yourself.

If you don't mind my asking, how did you find my blog? Random bloggerness?
Monday, 19 July 2004 at 23:34:00 GMT-4
Anonymous said…
This was much more than good writing... I was THERE!

David (www.treppenwitz.com)
Tuesday, 20 July 2004 at 04:24:00 GMT-4
The Writer said…
Fantastic!! As always. Keep it up, Queenie. I love stopping by and reading your work. Such a nice change from my insanity.
Tuesday, 20 July 2004 at 11:09:00 GMT-4
Phoesable said…
I really love Tommy. I love Tommy stories, Q. Thank you.

(THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!) :-)
Tuesday, 20 July 2004 at 11:29:00 GMT-4
AJ in Nashville said…
Queenie? intense? Nahhh... *LOL*

Wonderful story as usual, Q! Can't wait to find out where Momma is now... :)
Tuesday, 20 July 2004 at 12:33:00 GMT-4
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