Charlyn’s Web

Col. Panic leaps out of bed each morning (not really but it sounds good) leaving me to rock in the waves of his departure. He enters the bathroom and shuts the door. I am prepared to quickly drop back to sleep. Sleep is important to me.

Then I hear it. The barely perceptable sound of feet on the carpet and the sounds of the bathroom door being opened.

“Hello Papa!” yells a little voice.

Groan.

Usually, I can go back to sleep, lulled by the sound of the shower but now my sleep is disturbed by an Otter singing.

Loudly.

Or talking.

Loudly.

Or laughing.

You get the point.

Then they emerge from the bathroom and she proceeds to help him pick out what he is going to wear that day. Sometimes she whispers.

Then they leave the bedroom and I am left in relative quiet, except for the occasional sound floating down the hallway. Then… they return!

One is inexcusably happy, cheery, even bright.

Disgusting. A Morning Otter.

Morning people. They are so…so….so peppy! How could this child be mine? And an Otter too? (here you thought she was a chipmunk). Otters are fun loving- as in not serious people. They laugh at many things. Apparently, they like MORNINGS and getting up early.

Groan. I don’t know where she got it. Not from me! It’s all the Col.’s fault.

Usually is anyway.