WEEK 83: Done

Prompted by: Lila

The crazy author says: Just noticed I messed up last week’s post, as per normal. Would help if I actually added the flash fiction, eh? 😅 It’s all fixed now and I just triple-checked this one sooo I’m sure it’s messed up too 🤣

Speaking of messed up, I’ll send out the weekly email later tonight. I’m gonna call tech support first and get my domain (re)authenticated cuz lots of people aren’t receiving my deep, insightful, thought-provoking emails…

That was a joke 😏

Seriously, though, thank you to everyone for an awesome sauce 2017! The support, encouragement, prompts, ideas, just everything!!! You guys are the bestest readers ever!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🍷 🎊 🍸 🎉 🍻 #2018HereWeCome

I wake up tired.

And confused.

I don’t remember falling asleep. I can’t recall ever lying down.

Then I reach across the sheets and bolt upright. “Noah?”

He’s gone.

A bewildered scan of the room has me scrambling out of bed. “Noah!”

He’s gone.

Twitch. Noah. They’re both gone.

Gone.

My legs won’t function. I’m rooted to the spot. I dig my toes into the carpet and force myself to move. There’s a loud thud as my shoulder hits something.

The door.

I rip it open and stumble through.

My feet hit the cold concrete floor. The crisp morning air burns my lungs. My hands grip the cool metal railing. I’m so dizzy I might vomit.

I’m so fucking relieved I could cry.

Twitch is climbing the stairs with my son safely perched atop his shoulders.

Noah pouts at me. “Close your eyes, Mom.”

I do.

“And don’t peek.”

I don’t.

Not even when tears seep past my lashes. Not even when I feel Twitch wipe them away. Not even when I hear him murmur, “You wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise, would you?”

No, I really wouldn’t.