Rory is laying on the living room floor, snuggled between the thick carpet and his Charlie Brown bedspread, which he has brought down from his room for story time.
His mom has been reading for the past half hour and Rory’s attention to the plot is fading. He’s focusing on the voice of his mother, how it rises and falls, changing tone and expression for each character.
Rory closes his eyes and hopes his mother won’t mind repeating a chapter next story time if he happens to fall asleep.
Insulated by his blanket, his mother’s voice, and the fantasy of the story, Rory feels completely safe and certain. He drifts off to sleep, the theme of the story mixing with his dreams.
In adulthood, Rory will often remember this moment, taking solace in its comforts.