She had never experienced one of Otis's nightmares in full force. She had only ever felt him get out of bed in the middle of the night and pace and pace and pace the hallway.

They had been together just over a year. The security of having her lying next o him had worn off. As long as she was next to him, in the back of his mind, he knew he wasn't with his parents. True he still had nightmares sometimes, but they were never as bad as they had been in the past.

Otis was sound asleep next to her. She was propped up, reading a book. He had been talking, and mid-sentence had fallen asleep.

"Baby..." She chuckled and kissed his forehead. She continued to read, hearing the soft snores she was so used to by now.

After a while, she heard him whimper next to her. She turned, watching him suspiciously. "Babe?"

"No...Don't...please..." He moaned. "Don't..."

"Otis..." She stroked his face. She knew waking him in the middle of it would be detrimental. She had worked with patients with PTSD before. She knew how to handle this kind of emotional pain.

"No...don't...don't burn me...I'll be good..." She knew Otis's father had smoked cigarettes, often putting them out on his son's skin. "No...NO!" He flailed, trying to fight off invisible foes. She grabbed his arms, trying to save herself from his blows. "NO! PLEASE! STOP!" He tried to wrench from her grip. "PLEASE...PLEASE STOP! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" He sounded so desperate, so fearful. Tears rose to her eyes, imagining what hell he went through.

"Baby...Baby please wake up..."

"NO! STOP! s...Stop..." His eyes opened, coming back to reality.

"You're okay. I'm right here...I'm right here..." She stroked his face, releasing his arms. "It's okay, Otis..." He just stared back at her, emotionless. Usually, she could tell by his eyes what he was feeling, but he wasn't showing her anything. "I'll be right back...Your mama told me what helps you...I'll make you that tea." She stood to leave, but he grabbed her arm, pulling her back to him. He pulled her into his lap and held her close. He kissed her head, burying his face in her hair. "...I love you." One large hand pushed the side of her head even closer to him. "...You okay?" She felt him nod. "I love you."

"I heard you the first time."

"Just makin' sure you know."

"...Love you too, Mama."