I was about to yell, so I left the bedtime routine to my spouse.
I walked fast, oblivious. As my stress diminished, I began to notice things around me. Bats darted in the street lights. Two rabbits sat face to face in conversation.
Then by a fence corner stood a large shape. I stopped. It raised its head.
A deer. A big deer. It saw me and tensed.
Antlers, three or four points on each side.
“Buck,” I thought, and he pivoted, bounded, disappeared into the woods.
I stood on the sidewalk, gaping at the spot where he’d just stood.
Imperfect Happiness 