Norma Trent

Walking

At night, in my dreams, I run away from a mysterious danger. But I can never run fast enough. By day I walk, but I can never walk far enough. I want to walk away and never look back. Soon the baby will wake, alone, untended. I need to walk back. I have to walk back.

Silently, I reenter the house. All seems quiet, until I remove my boots. A small cry comes from the bedroom. Is he just waking or has he been awake?

Now I worry. Who saw me leave alone? Has the baby been awake for a long time? Unable to help himself, alone and untended, did he cry before I got home?

I gather the warm, wet bundle and smother him with kisses.

“Soon you’ll be able to walk, too.”

He smiles and nuzzles my neck.

Norma Trent lives in an RV with her husband, Bill. Refugees from corporate and suburban life, they travel around the country working at all manner of jobs while deciding what to do when they grow up. Norma has had stories published in Laughter Loaf, Salome Magazine, and The Sidewalk’s End.