Count, the music was beautiful! I also don't recall seeing the picture before!
Mariiii, sweet sleepy kitty!
The other team kitty sometimes has trouble sleeping too. No wonder with his history! So, to conclude my series, I give you hurdles.
Sleep
“I’m sorry, Onni. But this is best for everyone.”
“No! I will keep him here! We are doing fine!”
“It’s admirable that you want to care for him. But you are only 17. Your unit has only two rooms. And with his… issues…”
“He has no issues with us! We are fine!”
Lalli was under the table, hood and hands over ears, wailing.
“We can see he’s not fine. And hear!”
“That’s because you are scaring him. Let us be!”
“You are not his parent. This is not your decision. Lalli will move in with the nurses.”
“No! Onniii!! Help!” Lalli was kicking and scratching the medic carrying him. Tuuri was clinging on to Onni and crying. Onni was trying to remain calm, but he was just as shaken as the little ones.
***
“Onni, you have to come with me. It’s your cousin.”
“Lalli! Is he hurt?”
“He’s… ok. Come and see.”
Lalli was curled into a ball in the farthest corner of the small room, eyes closed, ears covered, humming tunelessly.
“He’s been like that since yesterday. Completely unresponsive. He won’t sleep or eat.”
“Well, why do…” Upon hearing Onni’s voice, Lalli shot from his corner and grabbed Onni’s shirt with both hands.
“Onni! Take me home, Onni! Please! I’m scared here!”
“Hmm… we may have an error of judgment here. He’s not completely unresponsive after all.”
“I told you we don’t have issues. Let us go home now!”
“Maybe we could try that. If you insist.”
“I insist! Come, Lalli.” Lalli let go of Onni’s shirt, took his hand and followed him calmly.
That night all three Hotakainen’s crawled into their shared bed. Onni hugged Tuuri and Lalli to him. Tuuri was smiling in her sleep. “Onni keeps voices away. Now I can sleep” Lalli muttered quietly.
Keep looking, just as everyone has said already: thank you so much! This has been such a lovely effort, and very important at least for me personally in the isolation and worry we all must go through. The break would have been unpleasant in this situation, but now it's been a delight.
Thank you everyone for your contributions! I am proud of us! So many different media too, prose, poetry, digital art, manual art, photographs, music, crafts! Wonderful!
I will not copy Grey's clapping here but I will add that the applause is for Keep looking but also all of us! (On my behalf that is, but I'm guessing Grey will concur)
