As You Wake

Sweat builds upon your neck and chest. Your bedding cocoons you. There's no sleeping without a comforting weight on top. Your new tower fan blasts on the second-highest setting. It's quiet, unlike your old creaky fan dead in the apartment dumpster.

A voice in the distance calls. Who? Your face flushes, and the crown of your head is soaked. A name, whose? You shiver from the dampness as your sweat cools from the blowing cold air. "Mommy!" A child? There shouldn't be a kid at your place. Louder and louder, "Mommy, mommy, mommy!" "Help!"

You're fighting with your bedding. "Mom-" Your eyes open. Your voice dies as it hits the wall. Summer heat never lets you sleep. END.

Comments