Spoiled by Eight Uncles

A woman in a wedding dress was stooping outside the door as if trying to peek inside the room.

They just so happened to be inches apart when Zachary peered out.

Zachary was startled. He abruptly jumped up and held his breath before realizing it was all a dream. He was terrified.

Zachary found himself in a dark place. He thought he heard rustling outside in the hallway, which had dim lights. Zachary had a hard time telling whether he was awake or dreaming.

When one had multiple dreams back-to-back or dreams within dreams, it was impossible to wake up. Zachary could not take it anymore. Instead of getting up to turn on the lights or peek outside as he did in the dream, he gritted his teeth, picked up the phone on the bedside table, and made a call.

When Lilly’s smartwatch rang, she was sleeping soundly. She groggily opened her eyes and said, “Hello. Who is it?”

Lilly did not have Zachary’s number. She rubbed her eyes adorably.

Zachary’s voice could be heard coming from the other end. He asked, “Hmm…Can you please come to my room?”

Lilly responded, “Huh?”

She gradually woke up and realized that the caller was Zachary. The young girl got out of bed right away and said, “I’m coming. I’ll be right there. I’m stepping out of my room and moving down the hallway. I’m almost there, about to reach your door anytime now.”

Zachary listened to the phone in a daze. He woke Lilly from her sleep, but surprisingly, she did not get upset.

Her voice was soft and gentle, as if she were worried that he was scared. She continued to hold the smartphone as she talked and walked down the hallway. Her voice could be heard both on the phone and outside in the corridor.

Then Zachary heard a click; Lilly had turned on the light. Zachary tightly closed his eyes and put a hand over them. He saw Sweet Pea running in his direction while he was in a daze. She sprinted and quickly climbed onto his bed.

“Zac, did you have a nightmare again?” Lilly sat down next to him and questioned him.

Zachary remained silent for a brief period.

Lilly reassured him as she patted his back, “Don’t be scared. I’m with you.”

Zachary spoke as he pursed his lips, “Do you think it’s ridiculous?”

“Huh? No, Zac, it’s not ridiculous. You’re seven years old. What’s wrong with being afraid at your age? It’s normal to wet your bed too,” Lilly replied.

He thought to himself. I appreciate your kind

expression. He appeared to be unwilling to speak to her by turning his face to the wall, but he accepted when Lilly

this little attention. She yawned as she reclined next

asleep just like that? Is she going to stop patting

Zachary turned around cautiously. He pursed his lips and turned to face the sweet pea in

about her was chubby and cute, including her pink nose, rosy cheeks, and lips. She looked harmless. The girl placed her hand under her cheek

before falling asleep and closing his eyes. He experienced a sense of security he had never known before with Lilly by his side. He had a restful sleep

the first to awaken the following morning. He saw Lilly sleeping soundly with her head tilted

it. Lilly appeared not to be disturbed in the least. She placed her foot on

He removed her foot once

firmly rested her foot against Zachary’s stomach this time. It gave Zachary the impression

up immediately. She sat up groggily while rubbing her eyes. She asked, “Zac,

the foot was

and hissed, “Did

confused, and she explained, “No, I grew up

defeat, saying,

blinked her eyes

would pack up any leftovers at the Hatchers and take the food

her cheek. She stretched her back and got to her feet. She said, “Oh la la, I slept so well. Good

the door. He had an oddly awkward expression on his

can’t let anyone know that I called Lilly in the middle of the night because I was scared. If they did, how am I going

suddenly flew out at this precise moment. It flapped its wings and cried out in a loud voice,

to be run over. He shouted incredibly loudly, “Where’s Lilly?

barefoot. She looked around

Everyone was stunned.

did you come

Lilly said, “I…”

his lips and averted his gaze. She

with a nod,

the picture

“Ohh…”

shoulder. It tilted its head and

was rendered speechless when the parrot

…

Lilly that he had indeed witnessed a