Lightening

Lightening strikes at early dawn. Suddenly Koko is wide awake and lucid. "Mom, is that lightening?"

I do not feign sleep and answer,"Yes."

"It will not hurt people because they are inside, right?"

"Um hum," I mumble in agreement.

"As long as they are not under a tree, right?"

"Yes." Obviously this kid is recalling this book on weather.

Brief pause.

"What about the animals?"

"I think they're wise enough to stay safe."

"Mom, I'm still scared. Give me a hug."

We hug and she rolls away to hug her dad. Cheeky, as usual has kicked off her blankets and rotated 90 degrees to another direction. I attempt in vain to cover her with a blanket.