Now and Then

by Mary O'Sullivan

  A cold breeze blows through the shed. The door bangs shut. I hear the key rattle in the lock. I freeze. Was that the force of Ben’s anger? I catch the inside handle and tug. It doesn’t budge. My heart thumps with fear. Reuben! He’s on his own in the house! I tug with the strength of desperation. The door opens. I lock the old shed and know it will be the last time I will ever go in there.

  I rush back inside to check on Reuben. He is still lying on his back, sound asleep, a smile on his face. He is indeed, playing with the angels. I smile too.

  I put four little kisses on my fingertips, one for Rob, one for Anna, one for Josh and one for Reuben. I blow the kisses to my sleeping babies.

  The End.