When my three-year-old, Emma, sobbed about a monster under her bed, I thought it was a bedtime story. But a fleeting shadow in her room one night showed she wasn’t imagining things. I’m Emily, a mom in the Bronx, and this is how a scary moment brought a new friend into our lives.
As a writer of kids’ books, I worked late, typing under the soft glow of my lamp while my children, Emma and nine-year-old Liam, dreamed. My nights were quiet, with tea cooling as I chased inspiration. One night, stuck on a story, I moved to the couch, hoping for a breakthrough. Around 2 a.m., a light flashed on in the kids’ room. Emma, who’d just mastered switches, was likely up. I hurried over, finding her in her crib, arms out, crying, “Mommy, there’s something under my bed!”
I lifted her, saying, “No monsters, sweetie.” Since moving to her own room, she’d spun tales to sleep near me. This “monster” was her latest. Liam slept, clutching his toy boat. I told Emma a tale of a brave explorer, and she dozed off. “I’ll check soon,” I whispered, kissing her, and returned to my laptop. My story clicked, words flowing easily. I glanced at the kids’ door, ensuring darkness. At 3:30 a.m., Emma’s cries broke my focus—unusual for her. Approaching, I saw a shadow zip under the door, chilling me.
In the dark room, Emma reached for me. Liam’s blanket was tossed, and odd sounds—scratching, soft whines—echoed. I flipped the light, grabbed a shoe, and looked under the bed, tense. A tiny puppy huddled there, scared, on a rag. “No monster, Emma, just a cute pup!” I said, bringing it out. Emma’s fear turned to giggles as she stroked it. “Where’s your family?” she asked. Liam’s guilty look clicked—he’d begged for a puppy after a local adoption drive, but I’d said not until ten. He’d hidden this one.
“Did you do this, Liam?” I asked. He nodded, teary. I held his hand. “Hiding things is wrong. You scared Emma.” He hugged her, saying, “Sorry.” Emma smiled, “Let’s name him Fluffy!” Liam looked hopeful. With his tenth birthday nearing, I softened. “Fluffy’s ours now.” The kids cheered, and Fluffy yipped. Emma’s honesty and Liam’s lesson showed me to trust my kids and bend rules with love, welcoming Fluffy to our family.
