One More Sound: story transcript
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One More Sound
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Dad clicked off the bedroom lamp. Zelda pulled her blanket to her chin. The little night-light stayed on, making a warm patch beside her slippers. Her bookshelf and the bear on its top shelf were right where they always were. Still, she reached for Dad.
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Dad settled beside her, on top of the blanket, and put his hand near hers. "I’m here," he said. Zelda tucked one finger around his thumb. "Can we listen for a bit?" she asked. "As long as you like," said Dad.
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They listened without moving. From the shelf came a small, steady tick. Zelda knew the clock’s round face, but she had never heard it quite so clearly. "That’s one," she whispered. Dad nodded. "The clock is keeping us company."
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A soft patter began at the window. Zelda looked toward the curtain, which hung still and familiar. "Rain on the sill," she said. Dad listened until the patter came again. "That’s two." Zelda let her head sink deeper into the pillow.
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The clock ticked. The rain tapped. Then something went grrr, so quietly Zelda almost missed it. Her finger tightened around Dad’s thumb. "What was that?" Dad’s tummy answered with another tiny grumble. Dad blinked at his middle. "Oh," he said. "That was me."
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Zelda giggled into her blanket. Dad tried not to laugh, but the bed gave a little bounce. "That’s three," Zelda said. Dad rested his free hand over his tummy. "It has a lot to say tonight." They listened, just in case it had more.
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The little night-light made a soft circle on the floor. Zelda could see her slippers inside it. She could see Dad’s hand beside hers. "Stay for one more sound?" she asked. "Of course," said Dad. Neither of them went looking for one.
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For a while there was the clock, and the rain, and the hush between them. Zelda’s eyes grew heavy. Dad’s hand stayed warm under her finger. Then a new sound came, low and slow, rising and falling beside her pillow.
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Zelda turned her head. Dad was asleep, his hand still near hers. The sound came again: a small, soft snore. Zelda drew a corner of her blanket over his hand. "That one’s Daddy," she whispered. The night-light glowed, and she closed her eyes.
