A Night in the Woods

“Do you want to sleep with the shade up?” Patrick asked after we brushed our teeth and got under the covers.

We’re staying at a Postcard Cabins getaway in a small cabin with a huge window. As we watched the first episode of Adolescence (I was ready to keep watching; Patrick needs longer to digest each episode of a crime thriller), we kept the shade down for privacy in case any other residents were wandering the woods.

“I don’t know…” I wavered, a small giggle hiccuping in my chest, tears peaking from the corners of my eyes. “I want to wake up with the sunrise, but…”

“But what?” He prodded.

“But I’m afraid there’s going to be someone’s face waiting on the other side!”

Patrick’s laugh made us both crack up, like two little kids hiding under the covers at a sleepover.

“Are you really scared?”

“Yes!!” I squealed, and we laughed more. “Did you put the door lock?”

“Not yet! Go put it on!”

“Will it work if there’s an intruder?”

“It will do its best.”

“Its best?!” I leapt back into bed, pulling up the covers. I frowned. “Well, luckily, since it’s so quiet here, we’ll hear anyone approaching.”

“Yeah,” Patrick agreed. “Or will we?”

Now he was just messing with me.

“It’s scary to imagine one face at the window,” he said. “But you know what’s funny to imagine?”

“What?”

“Many faces at the window.”

I laughed.

“Okay, okay,” he hugged me. “You gonna be okay?”

“Yes,” I laughed again nervously. “I think so.”

And I was! No intruders, no creepy faces at the window.

In the morning, when Patrick took Phoebe out, he showed me what a “face in the window” would really look like. We both cracked up again, our laughter silenced by the window’s soundproofing. The cabin is lofted enough off the ground that a head barely reaches!