THE ARTICULATION OF LONGING

1st Day of School Treat

"Morning, babies! Up and at 'em!"

[unintelligible grunts]

I lean over her, pull her blanket down, and cover her with kisses.

Pull myself up onto his top bunk, dig through the mess he made of his comforter, sheet, pillow, and stuffed animals, and lean in to give him a kiss on the forehead.

"How'd you sleep, pop?"

1st Day of School Treat

"That was short," he says.

"What was?"

"The night."

[ :( Right there with ya, Bubba.]
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