Walk a Little Straighter, Daddy

"Dean, I'm thirsty!"

"Sammy, bath time."

"Bed time."

"Five more minutes?"

"Sammy, come here and get dressed!"

Cough, sneeze, fever, shakes. A heavier sweater.

"Time for school."

"Sammy, wake up!"

"I wanna cookie!"

"Eat your vegetables."

Want to sleep, want to lie down, want someone to hold him and tell him it's alright.

"Daddy…"

"De-ean, Scabetti-Os!"

"Okay, okay."

Wash hands, make dinner, feed him, bed.

Sleep…sleep… Nightmare. Get up, rock him, soothe him, give him his blanket.

"Shh, it's alright, it's alright, Sammy. No monsters." Double check.

Clutch the bear he's too old for. Sniffle…tear…cries…sobs…

"Daddy…" No, no, Daddy. "Mommy…"

Tbc…