Stuffed Animals

Then, she felt a breeze. It was cold, damp and smelled of spring. It appeared to be coming from her bedroom window.

Kate went right to the window and found it open. How could it be open? She wondered. She frowned and hugged her arms to her chest, trying to feel warmer. She just hated the cold! Kate leaned closer for a look. The storm window had been in since September, and she hadn't touched the window since. She kept a super-sized teddy bear leaning protectively against the window all winter. But, tonight, he was sitting on the floor, looking confused.

Her heart started beating hard. Kate tried to tell herself that all those scary movies were catching up with her. But, she hadn't seen one in two weeks. This was withdrawal from them, she thought, as she pushed down on the window. It was stuck. Kate could still feel the wind, and she felt for the storm window, but the summer screen was down instead. With a sigh, she leaned all her weight and without warning, the window came down with such a loud thud, she heard a crack. A crooked, raised line darted across the glass, like an arrow pointing outside.

What would I tell Dad - that I cracked the window? She wondered, feeling guilty about the new crack she had caused.

The wood floor was getting cold for her bare feet so she climbed back into bed, and pulled the covers right up to her nose. Then, Kate reached over and pulled her bear off the floor and held him close. His felt body felt warm and protective and Kate was starting to feel better about the night. Who cares if they say I am too old for stuffed animals, she thought to herself. This is a night when you need one. Maybe two, she thought, and pulled from under her bed, an older bear with a missing eye and once plush fur that was now matted.