Max Callow

The Long Thaw

“DanniDanniGeddupGeddupGeddup!” Without thinking, Danni cracked open a bleary eye to the bright, hopeful little faces of her charges. That was her first mistake. The little horrors took it as a sign of proof of life, more than enough to warrant an escalation of joyful hollering, vigorous bed bouncing, sheet pulling, and a stellar test of the resilience of Danni’s belief that, if she ignored them for long enough, they would cease and desist. She lost. Again.