shined in the round window, and I could see the stars shining in the night sky.
Realization washed over me. I must have fallen asleep, but I was safe in my
room. Recognizing that it was all a bad dream, I began to take in the damage I
had caused.
I was crouched in the corner of the loft bedroom I shared with Meg. I had wedged myself between the nightstand and the wardrobe. My jewelry box and
all my vanity items were strewn across the floor. The picture frame that held the
photo of my mother and father was shattered. Sticking out of it was a large piece
of blood-soaked glass. Blood droplets formed a trail that led to me.
My frightened little sister came into focus. “I'm sorry, Meg. It was just a nightmare. Did I hurt you? Are you ok?” I apologized. Shaking, I held out my arms to her.
Meg’s green eyes were wide and filled with concern. “I'm ok, but you're
bleeding.” She pointed at my arm.
She was right. I had a deep cut that ran from the ring finger of my left hand
to my elbow. Conscious and with the adrenaline wearing off, I could feel how severe the injury was.
“Can you bring me a towel from the bathroom, please?” I asked calmly,
trying not to frighten my sister more than I already had. “It looks worse than it
is. Stupid nightmares. Lucky I didn't fall off the ladder, huh?”
Trying to make light of the situation didn't appear to be working. My little sister still wore a brave face, but I could tell she was trying to hold back her tears.
“It will be ok, Meg. Can you just grab the first towel you see?”
Meg nodded and rushed towards the bathroom we shared. Moments later, she
returned with a small, hot pink bath towel.
I held out my arm, and asked, “Can you open it, fold it in half the long way,
and place it around my arm?”
My little sister was definitely still a child, but when needed, she could follow
directions as well as any adult. She quickly folded it just as I had asked. Then,
she gently laid it on over my hand, covering the deepest part of the cut.
I carefully removed my fingers and tightly wrapped my makeshift bandage
around my throbbing arm. Putting on my best don't worry little sister face, I patted her on the head. “Let's go downstairs and see Gram and Cole. Cole should
be back. He is going to stay with us for a few days. I bet they will make us hot
chocolate with peppermint marshmallows.”
She nodded with a subtle trace of a smile on her face.
My nightmares were nothing new to Meg, but this time I had really scared
her. Guilt filled me. I was supposed to protect my litter sister, not hurt her.
I handed Meg the fluffy white robe that was hanging on a peg beside her bed.
“Put this on. You don't want to catch a cold.”
Narrowing her eyes at me, she retorted, “You can't catch a cold from being
cold. Everyone knows that." Begrudgingly, she slipped her arms into the soft robe, covering her satin blue princess gown while mumbling.
“Very true, smarty. How did I get such a wise little sister?” I asked.
Shrugging, she remarked as she began to climb down the ladder, “You're
lucky, I guess?”
"Yes, I am."
