Daddy Voice
Midnight feed. Daddy changes diaper, Mommy nurses, and everyone goes back to sleep.
Dream time.
Baby wakes up screaming as only a baby can scream.
Daddy changes diaper. Baby screams.
Mommy goes to warm a bottle. Baby screams.
Baby screams.
Baby screams.
Baby sucks on bottle.
Baby’s sucking slows.
Baby’s eyes narrow.
Daddy burps baby. Baby is wide awake.
Daddy tucks baby in.
Baby begins to fuss.
Daddy looms over baby and invokes Daddy Voice.
“No. It is time to sleep.”
Baby goes quiet.
Baby closes eyes.
Baby goes to sleep.
Dream time.
Daddy is pleased that Daddy Voice works.
Fully awakened by a screaming baby, and drunk on his new power, Daddy can’t sleep.