Writing in the Dark
The power went out for about 2 hours last night (between 10pm and midnight), and I utilized my laptop to get over my fear (I hate, hate, hate the dark).
Sitting in the dark is a perfect time for introspection. The dark hides the flaws, while you’re searching for the light. The quiet of the night is only broken by the strange sound of a child honking. Why the child is honking isn’t really the point. It’s a comforting sound for one who’s slightly, if slightly is the right word, of the dark. The quiet begins to get to me, and I can feel my nerves begin to shatter.
The quiet is broken by a crying little boy, the same child who was previously quacking. He got his toy taken away, and was not too thrilled with the idea of the removal. He is comforted by the one who took away the light, and is now quacking happily away again.
There’s a little girl scared of the dark, and her daddy offers her comfort. Her follows her with the light, so that she can go pee. Now he teaches her, even in the dark. He teaches her not to flush when there’s no power, and he teaches her too use a little bit of toilet paper, and not a wad. He’s a good dad, one of the best, I think.
I marvel at the fact that I could type so many words in so little time, yawning as I do so. I’m very tired, and am more than ready for bed, but there’s no way I could sleep, not knowing if the power was on or not. Even though I sleep in the dark, I’m comforted by what little light shows through the windows.
I think I’m also annoyed at the fact that half of the complex has light, and power, and heat, and all that related stuff, and I don’t. I’m annoyed at the fact that my laptop battery is just flying through, even though I don’t really have much running. I’m annoyed at the fact I have no clue what is going on. I just want to know what’s going on.
Little kids use the dark as prime time to color. Why they’re able to do it, the world will never understand. I’m thankful that they’re no longer scared, though. It’s enough to bring a glimpse of a smile to my face.
I can feel my husband looking at me, realizing that tonight is definitely not his night, when it comes to getting laid. Poor guy. He was so hopeful too. Oh well. There’s not much I can do about it now, even if I really wanted to. I cannot do it if it forces my kids to be in the dark and afraid.
Wrote over 400 words in less than 15 minutes. Why can’t I do that during NaNo?
And excuse me while I go and cry after the ASPCA commercial (the one with Sarah McLachlan).
drainedFiled Under: writings, dad, fear, honking, introspection, laptop battery, little bit, little girl, little kids, prime time, quiet of the night, sitting in the dark, sleep, toilet paper
Word Count: 491
