Daybreak.
The sun rose slowly, chasing off the last bits of fog like a sleepy old man brushing crumbs off his shirt. Birds chirped from damp trees, flapping their tiny wings like they had big gossip to tell. Inside a cozy little room, light slipped through the curtain cracks and poked straight into the face of a boy who clearly didn't sign up for that kind of wake-up call.
A single sunbeam hit Dennis right in the eye.
Outside, a rooster screamed like it had rent due.
It was another school day.
Nine-year-old Dennis groaned and pulled the blanket over his head like it was armor. His bed was warm, soft, and free of responsibilities. He planned to stay there until the next apocalypse.
The door creaked open.
Mina, his mother, stepped in. She was one of those people who just… glowed. Not in a flashy way, but warm,like bread fresh out the oven. Her smile could calm a thunderstorm. She walked over and tugged the blanket off her son's tiny body.
"Wake up, my darling boy," she said sweetly. "Time for school."
Dennis groaned louder. "Mooom… five more minutes."
She kissed his forehead. "Don't be a naughty boy. Besides… tomorrow's Saturday."
Dennis blinked one eye open. "For real?"
"For real," she laughed.
With the motivation of a slightly-less-dead sloth, Dennis sat up and yawned. "Okay, Mom."
Still sleep-drunk, he shuffled toward the bathroom. On the way, he tripped over air and almost kissed the floor, but caught himself last minute.
"Be careful!" Mina called after him.
"I'm fine!" he grunted, clearly offended by gravity.
In the bathroom, his toothbrush fell on the floor like it had given up on life. He stared at it for a second, then concluded. "Guess I'm skipping brushing today."
He stepped into the shower. First drop of water hit him like betrayal.
"Jesus it's cold!" he yelled, hopping in place as he fumbled with the faucet.
Once it warmed up, Dennis relaxed under the water. "Much better."
After his shower, he got dressed in his favorite Friday outfit,blue jeans, a clean hoodie, and the confidence of a nine-year-old who thought he ruled the world.
Downstairs, Mina spotted him and lit up like a proud Christmas tree.
"Wow, my handsome boy!" she said.
Dennis grinned. "What's for breakfast?"
"Your favorite."
He sat at the table and Mina brought over a warm bowl of food, running her fingers through his messy curls.
"Eat everything up," she said.
Dennis paused. "I wish Dad was here. I wonder when he'll be back."
Mina froze.
Her smile wavered. Dennis noticed.
He reached up and hugged her without saying a word. She kissed the top of his head.
"What's wrong, Mom?" he asked softly.
"Oh… nothing," she whispered. "I just… miss him too."
"He'll be back," Dennis said, full of faith only a kid could have.
Tears escaped her eyes. She couldn't stop them.
A school bus honk cut through the silence.
Mina wiped her cheeks quickly. "Your bus is here, sweetheart. Grab your bag. I love you."
"I love you too!" Dennis shouted, already halfway out the door.
She watched him go, standing there alone in the doorway, the house suddenly too quiet.
Because the truth?
Arnold wasn't coming back. He'd died,gone for good. And one day, she'd have to tell Dennis. One day, she'd have to sit him down and break the heart of the boy she loved most.
She sank into a chair, holding back fresh tears. Memories of her husband poured in;his voice, his laugh, the way he called her "sunshine" even on her worst days.