The Overnight Guest

by Heather Gudenkauf

It isn’t the dark you should be afraid of, the girl thought, it’s the monsters who step out into the light that you need to fear.

Homes were supposed to be safe havens, meant to protect. It was supposed to be a shelter from the elements, a fortress to keep out evil, and her home had betrayed Josie in the worst possible way.

“Wylie,” the little girl said shyly. “My name is Josie.” And they stepped out into the brittle sunshine.

“It is hard being there, but I think it would be hard anywhere. We both have nightmares. More than nightmares,”

And then it came to her. Her son. No matter where she went, no matter the number of miles between them, he was her true north. He was her home.

“Sometimes letting go is a good thing. Sometimes it’s the only thing left to do.”

“I never blamed you, not even once, so please stop blaming yourself.”