Dawn

It's 4:45 am on a Friday morning and I don't have to work until 4PM yet I lie tossing and turning in bed listening to the awakening birds chirping outside my opened window. Somewhere to the east of here the sun is beginning to rise over the horizon and it's casting it early morning light under my shades, illuminating the room with a soft blue light. Nick sleeps next to me, restless in his slumber, stuffy nose making him work for each breath so he can continue his rest. Now and again he mutters an incoherent word as he rearranges his head on the pillow. As gently as I can I turn onto my side, trying not to wake him, and stop moving all together when his breathing pattern changes.

5:15 Am and still sleep evades me. Quietly I sigh, resigned to my fate and softly slip from the room. Elvis waits for me at the door and starts to meow his squeaky request for breakfast. Hurriedly I close the door, careful not to let the latch click into place too loudly. The living room is lighter than the bedroom and I can see Gwen on the ironing board in front of the windows stretching up from her sleep before hopping down to voice her complaint alongside her pesky brother. I make my way into the kitchen feeling the wall opposite the counter for the light switch. Outside a woodpecker has found something of interest and the jarring noise of his incessant pounding with his beak breaks the morning air. The light switch has been found and I flip them on, my eyes blinking rapidly as I try to get adjusted to the light. Then I remember and fumble for the light button on the microwave over the stove. The reassuring computerized beep lets me know I can turn off the overhead recessed lights. This dim light is easier on my eyes and I am able to see my way to feed my starving cats.

5:20 Am I shuffle into the bathroom for Tylenol. I don't have a headache yet but I know there will be one soon. I carry the four round pills in my right hand into the computer room where I have a glass of water sitting on my desk. Popping the pills in my mouth and chasing them down with my last gulp of water, I sit down and figure,"Why not?" I lean over and press the little silver button that calls my computer to life and bring up my email inbox as a way to start my day knowing that not much will have happened since I last turned it off four hours ago...