Sometimes when you’re away, I sleep on your side of the bed. It’s almost always because I miss you and something about your side of the bed just makes me feel closer to you when you’re gone. Perhaps it’s your pillow, or simply sleeping in the space you usually occupy.
Rarer times, I fall asleep there on your side spent after playing with the toys I usually have no use for because you’re here. They’re kept in the nightstand on your side of the bed.
You’re excited to sleep in your own bed and to surprise me by being home early. You imagine my happy expression in the morning when I awaken and you’re already back. You’ve just gotten home in the late hours of the night after catching a sooner flight, arriving at 1am instead of 3pm.
You quietly entered our bedroom, shoes already off to make as little noise as possible. I don’t stir, deep in sleep in the dead of the night.
You’re shining your phone’s flashlight around to maneuver about without bumping into things, obstructing a generous portion of the light with your finger to not disturb me.