Brandon looks over the book to the five year old girl in the bed as he finishes another story.
"Sleepy yet?" He asks.
The girl replies with only a shake of her head.
Brandon's gaze wandered over to the clock, which was nearing ten thirty PM. He sighs, knowing it was past her bed time, *way* past her bedtime, and normally she would be soundly asleep. But this time insomnia decided to pay her a visit.
Brandon turns the page and begins another story. This one being the three little pigs. Maybe this one would work. He wanted to get to sleep himself. Not that she had woken him up. He went out to the kitchen to get a drink of water before bed and saw her working in her coloring book bed at the table. That was an hour ago.
He realized he might be spoiling her by staying up with her, as most parenting books stated. But how could he leave her to stay awake all night while he slept? She didn't wake him or Marian in the middle of the night demanding certain things. It wasn't her fault she couldn't sleep. Not even warm milk had helped.
He looked to her again as he finished the story. She was paying apt attention and showing no sign of getting tired. He wondered if he was being punished for something.
He gets up, standing by the bed.
"Sonya...are you sure you don't feel sleepy?"
She looks up at him a bit shyly and nods.
Brandon sighs again. He folds back the covers and picks her up.
"Well, no use in continung the stories. How about we go for a drive?"
Sonya grins and nods excitedly.
Brandon returns the smile slightly as he carries her out to his car in the driveway. He buckles her in the passengers and then walks around to the drivers side. He starts the car, looking sideways at her before shifting to reverse.
She already was focusing on what was outside, slightly shivering from the night's chill. Brandon turned the heater on low and put on some soft music.
Sonya stared out the window at the buildings and pretty lights. She rarely got to ride at night and in the front seat.
"Daddy, what's that?" She asked while pointing to a building.
"That's a J-mart. It's a truck stop." She looks at him wide-eyed.
"Truck stop?"
Brandon nods.
"It's where truckers to gas up and eat."
Sonya turns back to the brightly lighted building.
"I want to be a trucker when I go up."
"...No."
Brandon glances at her when she doesn't respond to his statement, finding her transfixed in the scenery again. He smiles a little and chuckles. He holds his breath slightly when she yawns a little, coming out sounding like a sigh.
After a few more minutes of driving and music softly playing, Brandon look down at her again. This time her eyes had closed and she was breathing softly. He sighs in releif and turns the car home.
The end.