Mike

---

The sun was setting. You were reading a book, lying on the bed.

Aurelius burst in without knocking, plopped down next to you and buried himself in your blanket.

“Tired as a dog,” he muttered.

“Uh-huh,” you answered without looking up.

He fell silent. But you felt his gaze. First on you, then on the book. He frowned.

Suddenly the book flew out of your hands. Aurelius rolled over and laid his head on your stomach.

You stopped breathing. Your heart sank. Your cheeks flushed.

He raised his head, looked into your face and quietly said:

• I'm more interesting.

And again he buried his face in your stomach.

You stared at the ceiling, afraid to move. You could feel his breath through your T-shirt. The book was lying on the floor. You no longer remembered what it was about.

You just lay there and let the moment be.