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“We brush our teeth, take a shower, put on our pjs, and go to bed.”
Remembering her own bedtime routine, she said, “Does your dad read you a story and say a prayer before you sleep?”
Their eyes widened. “No, we go to bed and sleep. Daddy turns off the lights after we sleep because I’m afraid I’ll have nightmares.” Michael grimaced. “I hate it when I have scarydreams.”
“Ah, poor Michael. I don’t like nightmares, either.”
Mark added, “Sometimes Nanny Maria recited a prayer in Spanish, but not Dad or Grandma.”
“All right, go to the shower.”
“You need to check the temperature for me.” Grabbing pjs and underwear, Michael tugged her to the impressive bathroom and pointed at the double shower. “This side is mine. The shower is lower.”
Madison turned on the knob and checked the water. “It feels good to me. Put your hand in and feel it.”
He did. “Yes, it’s good.”
“You have to leave, Ms. Madison. Boys can’t shower in front of girls.”
She suppressed a smile. “All right. Call me if you need help.” She left the bathroom and stood outside the door, leaving it ajar.
A few minutes later, Michael called, “Ms. Madison… I can’t dry my back.” He was tangled in his large towel while Mark had already slipped on his robe.
“You have to rub my back, then I can wear my bathrobe and dry my hair. And then I put on my pjs.”
“Okay.” She did as instructed and dried Michael’s back. He dropped his towel and slipped into his bathrobe, and she used the dryer on his hair, and led him to his bed. Mark had already climbed onto the upper bunk.
“Ms. Madison,” he called. “Why don’t we do it your way tonight?”
“My way?” She arched her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“You read us a story from the jungle book and say a prayer.”
Surprised, she nodded. “All right. It’ll be easier if you come down, next to Mickey, while I read.” She tucked Michael into bed, and Mark sprawled next to him. “First, we say the prayer. Repeat after me.”
Realizing they’d never memorized any prayers, she crossed her hands and improvised. “Lord, please protect Mark and Mickey during their sleep, and their Dad, and Grandma, and their best friend Ms. Madison. We pray that their Mommy in heaven rests in peace, and bless them every moment. Amen.”
The boys stared at her wide-eyed. “Do you think our mommy can hear you?” Mark asked with a shocked voice.
“Of course she can. Your mommy watches over you all the time. I’m sure she’s happy to hear you talking to her in a prayer.”
Mark turned toward a framed picture on their dresser, a younger Rick holding a three-year-old boy in his arms, with a smiling brunette by his side, a baby in her arms. “I love you, Mommy. From now on, I’ll talk to Mommy every night.”
“Me, too,” Michael said. “I love you, Mommy. Don’t let me have nightmares.”
“I’m sure she’s listening to you. Now, I’ll read from your book.”
The boys snuggled against her as she read from their favorite book. When she heard Michael’s regular breathing, she stopped and whispered, “Mickey is asleep. Time for you to get into your bed, Mark.”
“I wish you could sleep with us every night and put us to bed.” He threw his arms around her neck, and she hugged him, vowing to take care of these boys who badly needed a mother.
“Goodnight, buddy.” She covered him, and then bent to kiss Michael’s forehead.
It was eight-thirty, but Rick hadn’t come home yet. She used the children’s bathroom to shower and change into her pj’s and stretched out on the couch.
“Ms. Madison, we have to go to school.”
Two little hands stroked her hands and cheeks. She smiled at the nice dream.
