just now

He wanted so badly for me to make the cookies.

He waited patiently while I mixed, measured, spooned, baked.

He watched expectantly while I put the first sheet out to cool.

I gave him a cookie.

Yum, mom! he said.

I turned to take the next sheet out of the oven.

I was thinking regretfully about how the sugar

would have him all hopped-up before bed.

Oh well, I thought. It's a treat.

I needn't have worried.

When I turned back around he was asleep

and snoring, amidst the crumbs.

Good night.