We took the kids to see Julie Compton at Barnes & Noble last Tuesday evening. We all love bookstores, and it’s always exciting to see someone you know in the spotlight like that. Not only that, but Julie really is a fantastic writer, and I take any chance I get to hear her read.

All in all, it was a lot of fun.

It was also past my five-year old’s bed time.

I held him on my lap during the reading. He watched for a little while and then his little eyes closed, and he relaxed into my shoulder, asleep. I thought about waking him up, but there’s nothing quite so peaceful  as having a little one sleeping on you.  Besides, he wasn’t snoring or anything.

Then Julie finished and everyone applauded.

The big guy sat bolt upright in my arms and started clapping. Eyes wide-open, he looked around as he clapped, clearly not sure exactly what was going on.

“You fell asleep,” I whispered in his ear.

“No I didn’t.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I just closed my eyes for a second.”

I smiled at him.

“Just for a second,” he whispered. “That’s all.”