Weeeewooooo Weeeewooooo

The ambulance sirens blared as it raced through the rubble of destroyed buildings. The ambulance crashed through stone as if the ambulance itself was indestructible.

roooar

A growl from the distance cut through the noise of the sirens. The ambulance sped up, seemingly oblivious to the danger.

Roooaaaar

Louder this time. Closer. The driver couldn't go any faster. A T-rex stepped out from around the corner of a building to challenge the ambulance. It planted its feet and leaned its body forward, its head floating just a few feet off the ground. It opened up its mouth and released one final cry.

ROOOOAAAAAARRRR

The ambulance did not stop, didn't even slow down. Rubble was bashed away as it barreled straight for the dinosaur.

"David."

The ambulance and T-rex collided. Neither was willing to give any ground. It was a challenge of wills.

"DAVID!" Julia's voice cut through the room. "Pick up your toys and wash your hands. It's time to eat."

David looked down at the scene. Blocks were scattered about, T-rex and ambulance in hand. "Okay," he responded as he sluggishly started to put everything away.

"Hurry up, or there won't be any left," Julia encouraged as she set three plates on the table.

Boom

A crash of thunder sounded outside. The storm that had distracted David suddenly came into focus. He jumped at the loud sound and hastened his cleaning.

"It's okay, dear, just some water in the clouds. Nothing to be worried about," Julia said, trying to soothe David. "Now wash your hands."

As David came back to the dining room, he saw a worried look on his mother's face as she looked out the window. The storm clouds coated everything in a gray, drab blanket. David could hear the steady drumming of rain on the roof. "It's okay, Mom, just some water in the clouds," he repeated.

A weak smile crossed Julia's mouth. "Come on, honey, sit down and eat."

David eagerly climbed into his seat as his mother started dishing out food. The sound of rain pounding on the roof accompanied their dinner.

The kitchen was warm, filled with the comforting smell of homemade food. Julia had prepared macaroni and cheese, one of David's favorites. She placed a generous portion on his plate, along with some broccoli and a slice of bread.

"Eat your vegetables too, okay?" Julia said gently, ruffling David's hair.

"Okay, Mom," David replied, already shoveling macaroni into his mouth.

Julia watched him for a moment, her smile tinged with sadness. She picked at her own food, occasionally glancing at the third, untouched plate.

"Did you have fun playing today?" Julia asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

David nodded enthusiastically, his mouth full. "I was fighting a T-rex! And the ambulance was winning!"

Julia chuckled softly. "You have such a vivid imagination, my little dreamer."

As they ate, the rain outside intensified, the sound of droplets hitting the roof creating a rhythmic backdrop. David didn't seem to mind the storm anymore, his focus entirely on his meal and the stories he shared with his mother.

"Now go change into your pj's and get ready for bed," Julia shooed David into action. As he excitedly got down, Julia put the plates away, pushing food from the third plate into the trash. "I'll be right there in a minute," she called after David as he ran down the hallway.

David quickly changed clothes and climbed under his sheets with pictures of pterodactyls and brontosaurus covering them. Julia walked in and sat on the bed as David snuggled closer to her. "Will Daddy be able to read me a story too?" David asked.

That same sad smile came to Julia's mouth. "In a while. He's busy right now."

BOOM

Another loud crack of thunder scared David. He reached for his robot and pulled it close. "I can't understand why you like that thing so much. It's so faded and broken."

"It's not," David argued as he started playing with it, twisting the arms and antennae as his mom pulled the drain. "Okay," she relented. "Let's get you out now and dry you off."

Julia chose a familiar book from the shelf, one of David's favorites about a brave knight and a dragon. As she read, her voice was calm and soothing, filled with warmth and love. David listened intently, his eyes growing heavy.

crack

David pulled his hand away from the robot's head. One of the antennae now bent at an angle. David looked over it with a small frown.

Julia noticed and paused her reading. "Oh no, did it break?"

David shook his head. "It's okay. It's just bent a little."

Julia smiled and continued reading, her voice a comforting presence in the dimly lit room. As the story progressed, David's eyelids drooped, and he cuddled closer to his mother, the robot clutched tightly in his hand.

Finally, Julia closed the book and gently kissed David's forehead. "Goodnight, my little dreamer."

David mumbled a sleepy response, already drifting into slumber. Julia watched him for a moment, her heart aching with both love and sadness. She quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

In the quiet of the living room, Julia sat down with a sigh. The weight of the day's emotions settled on her, and she allowed herself a moment to feel the full extent of her worries. She picked up the phone and considered calling her husband but decided against it. Instead, she curled up on the couch and let the sound of the rain soothe her troubled thoughts.