Nighttime Wonders

Sarah stirred restlessly in her bed again. It was to be one of those nights again, is it? Her mind wouldn't allow her to get any rest, even though she was beyond exhausted. She wished she could lay back and close her eyes like her youngest daughter's favorite doll. And like she herself when she was a child.

But something prevented her from doing so. Something itched in the back of her mind that needed to be scratched. She sat upright in bed and looked around her bedroom through squinted eyes. The digital clock read 3:00 AM. The alarm was set for 6, so if she failed to get some shut-eye on this night, she would have to resort to facing the day as a zombie. Again.

Sarah slid her feet into her slippers and shuffled out to the hall. She stood for a moment listening to the silence in the house. This was the only time when there was such a peaceful sound. Her children lightly snored behind their bedroom doors. Her oldest son, Justin, was the heaviest sleeper of the bunch. He could sleep through World War III, Sarah thought with a sleepy grin.

She went downstairs to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and a couple slices of unbuttered toast. That simple combination always relaxed her enough to get through a sleepless night. As she stood by the sink and let her teabag sit in her cup, she looked out the window that faced the backyard. Ashley's tricycle sat on its side, a soccer ball, the maple tree that was older than the world...and something else. Sarah suddenly felt like she was being watched. She stood very still, moving her eyes left and right but not seeing anything. Or anyone. Her throat clicked as she swallowed, wanting to take the first sip of her tea, but yet not wanting to move a muscle.

She found the will to reach up with both hands and pull the kitchen curtains closed. Slightly relieved. She backed up to the table and sat down, wrapping her fingers around the warmth of her mug. Sarah chuckled in spite of herself, at her own childish night terrors, as she sipped her tea. It was delicious as always, but it needed milk. Just a splash. Before she could stand up again, there was a sound outside the window.

TAP

TAP TAP

Sarah felt a cold chill come over her. Someone WAS outside. Her first thought was to grab the sharpest knife in the drawer, because if someone wanted in, they would have a fight on their hands. No one will enter her home and terrify her children. Not tonight or ever.

TAP TAP TAP

It was becoming louder. Sarah reached a shaky hand to the middle drawer and took out the carving knife she would normally use for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Happy moments when her family would all be together and ready to devour a table full of good food. Now she was feeling like something wanted to come in and possibly devour her. Great, it's Tom Turkey's revenge, Sarah thought.

TAP TAP TAP TAP

The sound was beginning to anger her, but she still couldn't bring herself to move. She was paralyzed in fear as the tapping became even louder. Surely this would wake Justin up. He would go outside, against her wishes of course, and possibly destroy whoever or whatever it was with his steel baseball bat.

The sound suddenly stopped. It was silent in the kitchen once again. Sarah stood against the table, staring at the curtained window. The refrigerator motor kicked on, making Sarah jump. She never took her eyes off of the window. Whatever it was that had been tapping, it was still there. Sarah moved closer to the window, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and reached up to open the curtains.

Black eyes stared back at her, but Sarah was not afraid. A strange sort of calm came over her as she slumped down on the chair. She had seen this owl before, way back in her youth, when all she needed was a friend. Sarah stood up again and went to the window. She touched the glass, and the owl pecked it with its beak.

TAP TAP

"You've come back," Sarah whispered.

The owl tilted its head as if understanding her. Sarah opened the back door and stepped out onto the stoop. The owl flew gracefully over to her and landed on the porch railing. It looked up at her and Sarah smiled. She stroked the white feathers upon its head, and the owl gently hooted. Sarah closed her eyes and sighed.

"I miss you, Daddy."

A voice said close to her ear, "I miss you too, Sweet Pea."

A tear rolled down Sarah's cheek, and the warmth that she felt from the presence of the owl was suddenly gone. She heard the distant flapping of its wings as it flew off into the night. Sarah went back into the house, locking the back door and up the stairs. Justin peeked from behind his bedroom door.

"You okay, Mom? I thought I heard something."

Sarah smiled. "It's okay, kiddo. I was just making some tea."

Justin hummed. "G'nite."

"See you in the morning."

Sarah closed her bedroom door and slipped beneath the covers, wondering if she would ever see the owl again.