Reaction

I awoke with a start; listened; heard it again.
“I’ll go,” I whispered.
I looked around the door. Jess was sitting up in bed, her body shaking, soundlessly.
“What’s the matter love?” I was alongside her, an arm around her shoulders.
She shook her head; I squeezed, drawing her towards me.
“Tell me.”
She began to cry, turned, after staring into my eyes, grabbed me; clung as if she was afraid of drowning.
“Sh, shush, it’s alright … I’ll sort it, Dad always makes …”
I paused, as I felt a familiar stirring; gritted my teeth and closed my eyes.