AllTold

jake sees stars

This morning, Jake woke early, coughing. He climbed into bed with me, laughing at the funny voice he could make out of his wheezing. This conversation ensued:

 

"You know what? I saw a star under the blanket."

"Cool." I answered. "You know what that is? That's electricity. Static electricity. Your body and the blanket making little sparks."

"Or maybe," he said, backing down, "it was just my imagination."

"Or maybe," I answered quickly, "it was a star." As if I could give back what I had taken.

 

This afternoon he came home from school feeling drifty and unsettled. He kept saying: "I don't know what I feel like."