Phuong LeI have always wanted to have a sister. It was that day, xx xx, 20xx, that my wish came true. Her name was Thu. As she grew, I wished even more that she would sleep with me. I have waited over two years for it to happen.
“How about you sleep with Phuongy today?” My mom asked my sister. Thu loved my mom more than anyone, and was always sad if she was out or something like that. I wish she loved me most. Of course, Thu was still too little to love me much. She didn’t understand my mom’s question, and replied with a “Yes.” Although I knew she didn’t mean it, I got a little excited and hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll actually finally be able to sleep with her? I’ve gotten to do my best. My mom went out to work, and I giggled, pretending that the whole situation was funny. (But of course it was fun.)
“C’mon, little Thu Thu Cuddy Cuddy! We’re going to sleep with each other!” I did not do well, though. Thu started to cry. I softly sang some lullabies, feeling awfully worried. My spirits sank when nothing would calm her down. I knew that I couldn’t sleep with her yet. Maybe next time, whenever that was. It felt that it would be forever until she could sleep with me. Thu doesn’t love me more than mommy. I couldn’t imagine any other time Thu would sleep with me besides when she was 5. It was too long away. My mom came in again, hugging Thu and comforting her, and I prepared for another night just like all the others before. I rolled over, and soon dropped off to sleep, thinking about Thu.
Days passed like all the others, and nothing exciting happened. Infact, some things were getting worse.
I woke up one day refreshed and sat down for breakfast. It was one of the normal days, nothing much.
“Did you know that Thu actually stacked three pillows while you were sleeping so you couldn’t touch her?” my mom asked. We all laughed, including Thu, but that wasn’t good at all. It was funny, but Thu was NOT going to enjoy sleeping with me — even if it was months later.
Turns out I was completely wrong.
***
Just about two months afterwards, my mom thought I could sleep with Thu. I smiled, and hoped she really would be able to, although I was pretty sure she could not. I hugged her, and began to sing right away, then thought I ought to make an introduction. I mustn’t mention mommy. Thu’ll get sad.
“Thu Thu, we’re gonna take over the bed. We have SO much space now, and then we can get SUPER big and snore and all those things, right?” I asked. I felt hopeful. I think I can! Thu is big enough! She was still sad, so I read her another short bedtime story about a mouse. Then, I snuggled up, and began to sing.
“We’re taking over the bed, we’re taking over the bed,
We’ll jump and snore, and roll and more, as we’re taking over the bed.
We’re taking over the bed, were taking over the bed,
So strike a pose, your biggest pose, ’cause we’re taking over the bed.” I sang for how many minutes, I did not know. It was dark, so I couldn’t see the clock. I felt that I could sleep with her forever, and she wouldn’t wake. Oh, how nice! I was scared that it was a dream, but it couldn’t be. I continued to sing. Finally, with a feeling of hours later, I dared to stop, and move to see Thu. Holding my breath, I turned.
She was asleep.
I lay there in the dark, eyes open, staring at the ceiling, unbelievingly. I felt the light of myself might burst through the room. I was just so happy.
When I woke up, I smiled to remember what had happened last night. I felt like I had won a race. My mom told me the most brilliant news of all, during breakfast. Thu slept with me for the whole night, not waking up once, and my mom didn’t need to come in once. The result was that her diaper was full.
***
“C’mon Cuddy!” I hold out the picture of our family, asking questions about who has the red shirt, and who we aren’t sleeping with.
“Who is the biggest, Thu Thu Cuddy Cuddy?” Thu thinks for a moment, then points to our dad.
“Daddy.” I ask a few more questions, then switch off the lights, telling Thu to sleep. Laying down, my mind wanders back to nearly a week ago when Thu slept with me for the first time. A while later, I look at Thu, and there she is, asleep. I didn’t have to sing to her, because we’ve become better sisters.
I think Thu loves me most now.
— Phuong Le, 2021 —