In the Morning

Danny's body hurt again when he woke up, but the pain slowly faded. He curiously remembered dreaming of someone from his past. He felt sad that he couldn't fully remember the dream.

Julie was sleeping next to him.

"She missed you a lot, so I said she could sleep with you," Ruby said. She was standing in the doorway.

Danny put an arm around his best friend and sister.

"Are you that tied to her?" Ruby said, raising an eyebrow. "You know, this could be a dream."

"I'd know if it was..." Danny said, to which Ruby chuckled. She found herself smiling a lot more than usual lately.

"You can watch over her if you like."

"Thanks... I will."

Ruby shook her head, still smiling, and left the room. Danny became entranced with the rise and fall of Julie's chest as she breathed...