Seven-year-old June sat by the apartment window, watching the snow trinkle down from the skies of NYC. Her father, Jude, came by the window to watch with her.
"Can we go play?" June asked.
"Not today, darling. Come on." Jude picked up June and carried her away from the window.
Jude placed June in her chair, it was time for supper. All that were seated at the table, were all tennants of the same apartment. JoJo, Lucy, Sadie, Jude and June. Lucy and Jude got married shortly after their little rooftop scenario, only four months after that they figured out that June was on the way. Jude and Lucy hardly had enough money to support June, so Sadie and JoJo put them up at their apartment. When June was two years old, her Uncle Max moved away or at least that's what everyone told her. She would only see him on holidays, and weekends if she was extremely lucky. Her best grown-up gal pal, Prudence, had died not too long ago from a disease that June really couldn't understand, something the adults called AIDS. June was upset, but perked right back up when she knew Christmas was coming.
"Mommy? Why can't I play in the snow?" June asked.
"Because it's way too cold, and we don't want you outside after dark with all the fighting and protests." Lucy stated.
"I would be careful!" June insisted.
"We know, but it's just too dangerous." Jude remarked.
June sighed, she knew it was a battle that had been lost. After supper, Jude was tucking June into bed.
"Will we see Uncle Max soon?" June asked.
"He said he would be here at the end of this week. It's not even Tuesday yet, sweetheart." Jude chuckled.
"So the sooner I go to sleep? The sooner tomorrow will come?" June asked.
"That's right." Jude nodded.
"Daddy, can you sing me a lullaby?" June asked.
"Aren't you a big girl? I thought big girls didn't like lullabies." Jude joked.
"Well, it helps me sleep. The sooner I go to sleep, the sooner Tuesday will be here." June declared.
"All right. Come here."
June tucked herself under Jude's arm as he laid on the bed with her.
Now it's time to say good night
Good night, sleep tight
Now the sun turns out his light
Good night, sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me
Dream sweet dreams for you
June was beginning to find herself a bit more drowsy, Jude continued:
Close your eyes and I'll close mine
Good night, sleep tight
Now the moon begins to shine
Good night, sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me
Dream sweet dreams for you
Close your eyes and I'll close mine
Good night, sleep tight
Now the sun turns out his light
Good night, sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me
Dream sweet dreams for you
Good night, good night, everybody
Everybody everywhere
Goodnight
By the end of it all, June was sleeping peacefully. Jude carefully slid his arm away from her, and tucked her under the covers.
"Night June." Jude kissed June's forehead and left the room
Jude went into the living area, JoJo and Sadie were sitting together while Lucy was sitting in another chair.
"She asleep?" JoJo asked.
"Yeah. Like the angel she is." Jude sighed.
"You know she'll figured it out when he gets here?" Sadie asked.
"Does she even know that's why he is coming?" JoJo asked.
"We had to keep it secret. Max is her idol. If she knew, she'd be devastated." Lucy whispered.
"We all gotta keep quiet about this." Jude whispered.