A Single Mother's Plight(Tom Miller) A loud thump reverberates in my head. The noise startles me awake, my vision is hazy. I combat blurry eyes, for rest escaped me this night. I get up after finding my body curled on the couch, the noise was made by Lucy. She’s a small dog but big enough to make a commotion. I stumble and fight to find balance. Pain. Instant pain surprises me. I have tripped myself with the coffee table leg. I can feel the hit in my elbows, my stubbed toe sends me falling back on the couch. Lucy continues her exploration, snubbing me. The sound I hear, crinkling, crinkling paper. Donuts most likely. They’re her favorite. More sounds, creaking floor above my head. It was my daughter sneaking in or out. I decided it was time to bust her since I let it go out of nostalgia to my youth. I stand putting pressure on my foot. It stabs me but I hold on. My other leg cramps. The weakness pulls me to the floor. My eyes begin to tear, I begin to cry uncontrollably. I’m so tired now. The sounds overhead and from the kitchen return simultaneously. I fight to decide a mother’s plight. Trying to choose where to go first, my daughter or dog. It’s hard to think, hard to concentrate. I wrestle the decision. They are happy and full of energy. I am not. I’m tired, exhausted. I pick myself up, unable to decide my first action. The clock says three, then four, then five. Suddenly I awaken by the light of a new day. The dog asleep at my feet. The upstairs quiet. All is well, and all is right. It was imagined from my weariness.

---