Dangling

Some things we had as kids stay with us into adulthood.

They don’t necessarily make themselves as known as they did when we were kids.  But they’re still there.

Imagine you’re in bed.  The lights are off.  You’re almost asleep.  It’s a warm night, and you’ve got one foot out of the blankets and dangling off the side of the bed.

You’re drifting off to sleep, blissfully comfortable and relaxed.  

Then, you remember.

The Thing Under The Bed.

You haven’t thought about it for months, years even.  But you know it’s there, under the bed.  

Waiting.

Don’t be ridiculous, you tell yourself.  There is nothing under there except dust and the odd sock.

And maybe a chocolate wrapper.

You turn the pillow over to the cool side, snuggle down, and close your eyes.

But it’s still there.

Waiting.  Ready to grab your dangling foot as soon as it comes within range.

You tell yourself that you will not succumb to some silly childhood fear, and that your foot is staying exactly where it is.  Out in the cool air. 

Dangling. 

Mind you, it might be getting a bit too cool.  Cold even. 

Perhaps it would be better under the blanket.

Yes, much better.

And safer.