The Monster Left Under The Childhood Bed
20250703
Prompt from the “Kev’s Odyssey” microfiction series.
tap tap tap
Henry paused in the midst of choosing another video to watch. He took his headphones off and listened.
tap tap tap
The sound was erratic. Persistent. Sad.
Henry’s lips curved in a sympathetic smile and he got up. Headed down the hall to where his son’s room sat dark and empty. He didn’t look under the bed - that would only cause Burk more stress. Instead he sat down on the dust-sheet covered mattress.
The tapping stopped, replaced with the sounds of springs shifting, and wispy breathing that brushed at the edge of your hearing.
“Brent misses you, too.”
“he does?” Burk’s voice was softer than before. The raspy burble now more of a mumble.
“Yeah. He keeps saying how it’s harder to sleep because the sounds in the uni dorm’s all weird and different. That he used to drift off counting your snores and now it’s too quiet. Or too noisy, apparently lots of the kids don’t respect the silence curfew.”
Burk growled. “bedtime sacred!”
“You know Brent’s with ya, buddy.” Henry leant back and crossed his ankles. Pondering how to make this a comfortable seat. “I really ought to take the phone in here when he calls. Have the conversation where you can hear.”
“please!” Burk’s voice was a little louder now. A little stronger.
“Hm. And, you know, I was thinking that since we currently have a spare room, it might be nice to invite some friends to visit. Would you like that? Having people in the room sometimes?”
“brent not mind?”
“I’ll ask him before inviting anybody.”
“they not mind?”
“Mind you? Again, I’ll check when I extend the invitation.”
“people sleep here nice. burk miss dreams.”
“Then I’ll ask Brent what he thinks.” Henry patted the mattress. Confident this would ripple through to the monster lurking underneath. “I’m sorry, buddy. You’re so quiet, I’ve barely been thinking about you, with everything going on. But no monster can live on dust bunnies alone, eh?”
“no.” The burble was weak but deeply grateful.
“It’s gonna be a difficult few years until Brent can rent a place that allows monsters. We need to look after you for him.”
A small, scratchy hand wrapped around one of Henry’s ankles and gently squeezed. “brent said student places said no.”
“Yeah, it’s a blanket rule apparently. And besides, moving across the country so many times a year wouldn’t be good for you, would it?”
“no.” Burk whimpered at the thought. “but left alone not home for holidays worse.”
“So, we’ll do the best we can. I’m sure Brent won’t mind people staying in here while he’s away. And he’ll be back home for winter break.”
“many many nights away though.”
“True. So we’ll keep the bed made up, and Jen and me’ll invite people to stay, and when we’re chatting with Brent we’ll try and do it in here.”
“thank you.” The little hand squeezed tight then slipped back under the bed.
“Hey now, don’t mention it. You’re family.”
Prompt was “Knock”.
Awe poor Burk! Loved this!