The Boy in the Moonlight

My boyfriend had to leave town for a few days on a business trip, so my 3 year old son got to sleep in the big bed with me. We both settled in, and before long, his little body was curled up next to me, and we drifted off to sleep. Outside, a full moon cast a soft, milky glow through the bedroom window, bathing everything in a silvery
light that softened every shadow. The gentle illumination outlined the furniture and cast faint reflections on the floor, making the room feel calm and dreamlike. I lay on my side, facing the wall, while my son slept peacefully behind me, his small, rhythmic breaths soothing in the otherwise silent room. I'm not sure what woke me. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, everything seemed blurry as I adjusted to the soft glow. Then, as my vision cleared, I saw him. There, standing beside the bed, was my son—or so I thought.