He’d fallen asleep on the couch again, the ritual broken early this year. Perhaps he was already bored with the repetition. He straightened, lifted his glass and drained the last stale swallow. He checked his watch. Eleven-fifteen. He still had work tomorrow, get Liam off to school. Donel stood up and went into the downstairs bathroom. He’d check on Liam after, try not to wake him. Let tonight be like any other for his son. Maybe next year it would be so for Liam’s father. Cloida went away of her own accord, time to forget and live what life God had in store for the rest of her family. * * * The growing odor, the sense of a presence in the room made Liam’s eyes open. Murky vision gritty with interrupted sleep. For a moment he did not remember and gasped when he saw the figure standing before him. Memory returned. He made sure not to look at the face, not to respond. See me, the figure seemed to say, unmoving, beautiful but soundless. Acknowledge me. Please.... Liam stared at the legs, smooth, almost reflecting in the glow of the nightlight.
What do You think about Christmas Trees & Monkeys?
