The young boy was wearing his soft, white cotton nightclothes. His bare feet made no sound on the thick carpet. He was clutching a large, white, fluffy pillow tightly against his chest with both arms.
"Ryan?" Derek asked in surprise. He set his quill down on the desk. "What are you doing out of bed?"
Ryan walked a few steps into the room and stopped. He looked at Derek with big, sad eyes. He looked very small in the massive, shadowy bedroom.
"I couldn't sleep," Ryan mumbled. His voice was tiny and tired.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He looked past Derek, staring at the large bed where Marissa was lying so quietly. He missed the warmth of her hugs. He felt lonely in his own room down the hall.
Ryan squeezed his pillow tighter. He looked back at Derek, his eyes full of innocent, hopeful pleading.
"Can I sleep with you and mother?" Ryan asked softly.
