the day after

It is Saturday afternoon, the day after Christmas. The house is unusually quiet.

All I can hear is the sound of a fire, my computer running and turkey soup simmering on the stove.

I read my new cookbook. Pick up some leftover Christmas chaos. Vacuum up Chloey hair.

I walk downstairs and find no lights on. That is weird. Bedroom doors open. Not so weird.

Walk into each room and find...

The Pill.

On his almost finished, lower bunk-bed addition. Which has no mattress.

He has every pillow off our bed and is sound asleep.

E.

Upside down on her bed with her head buried under a quilt. Also sound asleep.

With Chloey at the top. Sound asleep.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

I like the sound of Christmas being over.