The sky outside is the color of polished pewter. Rain runs down the window glass in curvy rivulets. I’m thankful to be warm and dry inside my thick comforter on the couch. The newscaster on the television drones on and on and I give up the fight to keep awake. I welcome the darkness behind my eyelids. My head sinks into the pillow. I am wrapped like a caterpillar in a cocoon. I can hear the rain steadily hitting the windows, a soft drumbeat sound track for my dreams.

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