Make fun of me if you will, but that night, I let Alex sleep with me, for two reasons:

1. I didn’t have another bed.
2. I didn’t want to let him out of my sight.

He snuggled to me closely, so I put my arm around him to show some hospitality. Although he was sleeping soundly, I could barely close my eyes. After an hour I completely gave up – sleep was impossible. I ended up laying there, trying to come up with ways to cheer Alex up. The moment I had an idea, my eyes softly drooped until I was in a deep sleep.

Bbbrrrriiinnnnnggg.

7AM – time for work. Alex awoke with a start, sweating, apparently having a nightmare. As I arose to a sitting posture, he hugged me as hard as a 6 year old possibly could. How was I supposed to go to work? I got dressed, leaving Alex on my bed, with him staring blankly in the distance. I looked him over, and he needed a bath – and he was still wearing the clothes he was wearing on our first encounter.

But I would have to take him with me.