The house is cool at last. br I turn down the volume on the TV br so as not to disturb you. br I watch the ceiling fan slowly revolving… br br ‘Allie? ’ br ‘I’m out here, my love.’ br ‘When are you coming to bed? ’ br ‘Soon, sweetheart.' br br At ten thirty, br I turn off the fan br and climb in beside you. br You are musty warm and purring br with your feet sticking out. br br I close my eyes br and drift off. br Suddenly you snap on the light! br ‘Allie! Allie! br There’s something the matter with this pillow? ’ br br I pretend to be asleep, br trying hard not to react. br Remembering what it felt like br to be small and afraid of the dark. br br Then dawn opens her eyes br and you slip your hand br between my legs - br and the child of last night br becomes the man br I fell in love with forty five years ago.