Mommy Is That You?

The wind rustled through the leaves of the trees. The sun was shining through the windows and casting a warm glow over the room. Little Tirra Zasodimsky sat on the couch and watched the dust motes dance in the air. She was all alone in the house. Her parents had gone out for the evening, and she had been left in the care of Mrs. Jenkins, the nice old lady next door. But Mrs. Jenkins had gone out too, and now Tirra was all alone. She plopped down on the couch, turned on the TV, and flipped through the channels until she found her favorite show.

She watched as the characters on the screen went about their lives. She laughed at their jokes and cried at their tears. And for a while, she forgot that she was all alone. But then the show ended, and the room went dark. Tirra got up and turned on the lights, but they didn't work. The power had gone out.

Tirra stood there in the darkness, her heart pounding in her chest. She was scared. She didn't know what to do. She thought about going next door to Mrs. Jenkins' house, but she was afraid of the dark. She thought about calling her parents, but she didn't know their phone number.

She ran to her room and got into bed. She pulled the covers up over her head and closed her eyes. She tried to tell herself that she wasn't scared, but she couldn't stop thinking about all the things that could go wrong. She imagined that there was a monster in the closet, or under the bed, or even in the attic.

She heard a noise downstairs and froze. She held her breath and listened. The noise came again. It was a creaking sound, like someone was walking around downstairs. It's just the wind, she told herself. There's nothing to be afraid of.

She lowered the covers and got out of bed. She crept to the door of her room and opened it. She peered out into the darkness. The hallway was empty. She took a deep breath and stepped out into the hallway. She walked slowly down the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest.

She reached the bottom of the stairs and turned into the living room. The room was dark, but she could see a figure standing in the middle of the room. She stopped dead in her tracks. Who is that? she wondered.

The figure turned around, and she saw that it was her mother. Mommy! she cried. She ran into her mother's arms and hugged her tight. I'm so glad you're home.

Her mother hugged her back. I'm glad I'm home too, Tirra, she said. I was worried about you.

Tirra looked up at her mother. Why were you worried about me? she asked.

Your father and I went out for the evening, and we left you in the care of Mrs. Jenkins, her mother explained. But Mrs. Jenkins had to go out too, and she didn't tell us who she had left you with. We came home and found you all alone in the house.

Tirra nodded. That's right.

We were so worried about you, her mother said. We didn't know where you were or who you were with. We're just glad that you're safe.

Me too, Tirra said. She hugged her mother tightly. I'm so glad you're home.

Her mother held her close. I'm so glad I'm home too, Tirra.