DAILY SNACK
He’d been thrashing around on the bed for twenty minutes.
He was being silly,
Obstinate,
Unfocused.
I kept begging him to put his pajamas on.
“You can win another happy face sticker.”
Lame.
He was tired; I was tired.
I let go of Irene to pick out her pj’s,
Just as he reached over and grabbed her,
And she rolled over willingly,
Wrestling like they always do.
Except there was no bed on the other side of him,
And she went careening over him,
Head first.
I dove across the bed and caught her ankle,
Just as her head was hitting the floor.
And time froze for a couple beats,
As I dangled my daughter upside down off my bed.
Then I let her down gently and got up to comfort her.
She was hurt, but not badly.
Then,
I started screaming.
Thank goodness for doors that close and rooms to calm down in.
Thank goodness for teary-eyed hugs and I’m sorrys.
Because I know he didn’t mean to hurt her.
And he knows I didn’t mean to hurt him.
And I think we’re going to be alright.