Midnight Snack

I know you don’t know this, but you wake me up every night around midnight.

I guess midnight is your preferred exercise hour because I don’t notice you much during the day. Guess I’m too busy getting ready for your arrival.

Tonight was no different. I woke up to your fluttery wiggles and I checked the time. 12:14 am.

“At least, you’re punctual, little one.” I whisper. A good quality to have.

I manage to sneak us out of the bedroom and waddle quietly to the kitchen. I think you like to be fed at this time. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. I think you agree since you wiggled again as soon as I opened the refrigerator. Spotting the rest of your dad’s lemon cheesecake, I decided to bake him another as an act of apology. I grab the cheesecake and a fork before heading to the living room.

Watching late-night cartoons was always a treat for me before you arrived. I’m sure you’ll love them when you can actually see them in person. Babies like bright colors, right? I turn on the television and the theme song to one of my favorites starts playing. You kick hard in reply. It hurt my ribs a little but I’m more amused than angry. I could see your little foot that time.

“I like this song too, pumpkin.”

I ease us onto the couch as gently as possible before breaking into our ill-gotten gains. It takes a few minutes before the cheesecake reaches you, but I can tell when it does. You wiggle and stretch, and I watch you tumble beneath my taut belly skin.

I chuckle and rub what I think is your tiny head. “You really are amazing, little one.”

Tangela Williams-Spann is a mental health and wellness blogger as well as the mother of an autistic person. Her first book, Sad, Black, and Fat: Musings From the Intersections, will be released in August 2021. She is currently completing coursework towards a MA in Special Education at Grand Canyon University. When she isn’t working, Tangela can be found reading, writing, or having serious discussions with her son about appropriate social behavior.

Photo credits:
Many thanks to the unsplash photographers (in order of appearance): Max Saeling, Alexandru Vicol, Mustafa Omar, Mink Mingle, Ash Edmonds, Mateus Campos Felipe, Eyasu Etsub, Sincerely Media, Szabo Viktor.