Bedtime

 The screaming was more than anyone could bear. The crying as bad. The wails like splinters burying in limbs. 

On and on, as though it would never end. The chaos of humble clinging. Pain shot through with desperation, guilt, longing.

All at once, silence. A magic spell cast suddenly.

And almost relief.

But, that their mouths upturned at the corners while their feet danced below the quilt, said that somewhere, in their dreams, they partied with fairies. As children are wont to do while they sleep. 

It was not quite peace. But close enough. Enough for a mother to sleep.

Her feet danced under the quilt, too. 

 

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