TWO NIGHTS NOW

Earlier his week as I was sitting at the computer, I heard this well-known voice. This call of need. One word: "Ted".

I went rushing to see where my wife was in need.

The kitchen. It was past time to toss moldy oranges that we had picked two months ago. When she picked up the heavy bag in the refrigerator, the shelf above containing glass bottles among other things had started to fall.

No harm, no foul as I saved the day.

Not end of story.

For two nights this week in the middle of the night, I have been awakened by that same call--"Ted" in the voice of my wife who has been asleep beside me. Last night I reached for her to see if it was another dream.

She was there. At least I'm getting used to it. But it keeps me, easy sleeper, awake for awhile because I was ready to spring into action. Without the need, without the chance, I have trouble going back to sleep. This morning the dream occurred at 4:38.

It took me till 4:41 to fall asleep again. A guess, but I wanted to punctuate how hard it was for me to slumber again.

So when I hear that call in the night, well nexttime I'm just not going to answer it. What? And miss out on a chance to be a hero. Not me.