was nearlyperfect with the fire last he placed wood in the fireplace it was measured

the blaze had only gone on another twentyminutes after she went to bed

                                                                              he was in town she put him up

her daughter went to bed an hour earlier

it had been a long busy day traipsing here and there old neighbourhood old friends cemeteries dead family  friends

   closed it out with pizza beer 

                                   before the fire her wine his whiskey

her daughter surprised him  enjoyed whiskey

Redbreast! she said breathlessly

Youre familiar

I’ve only read about it.

it was his treat

he poked the fire a couple more timesspread ash put up the screen crossed back to the couch where he was sacking it out

a paleblue moonlightheightened by fresh snow outside the window wafted across the floor embraced him on the couch

   he thoughthe knew  he was in his element again

an element he did not treat himself too often

otherwise

             wasnt a treat

the coals crackled occasionallyPOPped

Hey.  Hey are you awake?

lying on his backopened his eyes  Yes

I can’t sleep.

              she reminded him of his kids coming into the bedroom I can’t sleep. he told them to go back to bed hed be right there put on shorts laid beside them rubbed their butts listened to their breathing they rarely made ten minutes out like a light

               he was tempted

she shortcircuited him

                        said again she couldnt sleep stepped nearer the couch

her pajama bottoms fell as if weighted

                                          Give me your hand.

held it up she took it put it between her legs

                                                I’m wet.

My Mom told me you used to rub your children’s butts to put them to sleep. I was wondering what I could rubwhat you could rub . . to help us . sleep.

Sleep he thought was the farthest thing from either of their minds

                                                                        his imp imagined before he did

in the morning

                 Did you sleep well last night?

overnight,  Wednesday,  5  2. 25

1337,  Thursday,  6  2. 25