Rescue
Lyla woke with a start. The room was dark and quiet. Gentle breathing from her left the only thing to hang onto. The world wasn’t ending.
She wrapped herself in a blanket and padded into the next room. The baby was sleeping soundly, her mouth slightly open, her face calm. Lyla’s mind spiked again with the vision of that same face contorted in terror, dropping away into the abyss and her own arms reaching desperately through the air.
Lyla’s face touched the baby’s hair as she climbed into the crib. “You caught me,” she whispered, finally able to relax again.
I like the mystery of the last line
No mystery intended, but I’m glad it didn’t put you off when you found it.
I’m not sure what the last sentence means, but I can clearly identify with the nightmare so vividly drawn. Nicely written Jen.
Sorry it wasn’t super clear. In the dream she was reaching to catch the falling baby, in real life the baby being safe in reality is what ‘catches’ Mom.
Ah, I was wondering if it was the advent of the baby that had ‘saved’ the mother from something. A thought-provoking story. I enjoyed it.
Baby saved Mama from the nightmare. Innocence will do that.
My thoughts exactly. Thank you!
They saved each other. Nicely done.
Just as love should
Saving each other? I love the visions you conjured: padding feet, a baby’s open mouth, the soft hair. I could almost smell the scent of the child. Well done.
Thanks, I’m glad it took you there!
Every mother can identify with nightmares that make for moments like this, filled with relief.
What’s with the nightmares? Luckily my brain is fixated on losing my cats, so my kids don’t feature often in my ‘Mommy dreams’
What a lovely tale, Jen.
It reminds me of Jack London’s description of the ‘falling dream’ in Before Adam, and why we always waken before we hit the ground.
I’ll have to look that up, ce. Thank you. I wish we didn’t have to have those dreams at all!
Beautiful.
Thanks!
This was lovely, Jen.
Thank you, Dale
A charming tale.
Thanks!
Dear Jen,
If I’d had that nightmare about my baby I’d most certainly have done the same as Lyla. Sweet story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
In my experience the only real way to get over that adrenaline rush of terror is to actually see and touch that it’s all OK. I’m glad you enjoyed Lyla’s story
Beautiful story. Such a frightening nightmare to have. I’ve had several this last year about my husband… and oddly enough my son, though he’s grown with a family of his own, now.
I imagine those worries about our ‘babies’ never truly go away!
No, they don’t. Not ever.
Lovely story. Your evocation of the scene was beautiful.
Aww, thank you!
The beginning of a much longer story. I enjoyed the mysterious feel to this piece. Well done!
Thank you. It’s actually potentially oart of a longer story, so good spot!
So good to hear!
Beautifully written and truly touched a nerve. I still sometimes dream of losing my children whilst out somewhere even though they are now grown up. I also had many strange vivid baby dreams whilst feeding my babies – all those hormones!
Thanks for the comment although I’m sorry it happened to you!
Well done. I used to hold my baby for comfort (my own!) in the middle of the night.
Aww, those nights were something else weren’t they?
The bond between her and her child is a strong one.
Thank you, I think so