Anaya shifts on the rug, balancing her giggling toddler. He wiggles free of her hug.
He drops his favorite blue block, which clatters loudly against the floorboards. She jumps, then scoops him back.
The toddler points at the shadow under the door. "Monster!" he cries. Anaya peers around the corner.
She checks behind the curtain. Dust motes dance in the light. No monster, just empty space.
The toddler shakes his head. "It moved," he insists. The shadow stretches longer, reaching toward their feet.
She lifts him onto her hip. They march boldly toward the door, stepping right over the scary shadow.
The sun angle changes. The shadow vanishes instantly. The toddler gasps, then bursts into laughter.
He hugs her neck tightly. Anaya settles back on the rug, holding him close as the room grows quiet.
The late afternoon sun warms their backs. She rests her chin on his head, closing her eyes in peace.
Silence fills the room. The dust motes settle. Everything is calm and safe.