Morning's bells wake me and I step groggily from my bed.

Floor's cold touch creeps upward as I frantically find my socks.

Donning said socks cures the icy attack and I slip/slide towards my door..

and into the hallway.


Silently I ease open his door and allow my eyes to adjust.

A lump in a fetal shape mounds the comforter of a twin sized bed.

I sneak on tipped toes to its edge and see my field of flowers.

So beautiful. So sweet, so asleep.

I lay down beside him and can feel his warmth even through the down.

"There's a Tyrannosaurus loose", I say, "Only you can save us! Please wake up Sir Joshie, and fight him for us!"

One brilliantly brown eye slides open and peeks at me.

"Super Josh, its time to get up, you have to save the world!"

I'm rewarded with the sun when the corners of his mouth begin to turn up.

The war has just begun. The eye closes and sleep is feigned.

I up the ante by brushing his neck lightly with one finger.

I know Joshua's kryptonite. It's the same as mine.

We are ticklish to the core.

He shivers like a red wriggler on a hook.

"Daddy", he whispers, "I love you, but stop".

His breath smells so horrible/wonderful. Something died in there during the night.

I don't care, I miss that scent.

"Son", says his father, "It's time for school."