A line of light from the kitchen streams beneath our bedroom door: someone is up early.
The pantry door squeaks: the boys are hungry.
No sounds from the basement bedroom: someone has slept in.
The rumble of the garage door: someone is returning or leaving.
The squeal of pipes through the wall: someone is in the shower.
The floor shakes with muted explosive sounds: someone is watching a Star Wars movie with surround sound in the basement.
Ding! A message from Richard or Paige
Bing! A message from Timothy
Chime! A message from Daniel
Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap Yap: the dog needs to come back inside.
“Here’s to the Fools who Dream…”: I am doing dishes or mopping.
Sniff, sniff beneath the door: the dog is looking for Richard.
Bwa ha ha ha: Mark is watching YouTube videos.
Scratchety scratch scratch: the dog is cold and needs to come inside.
Clickety clickety clickety clickety: Daniel is typing.
Long, sullen pauses and no eye contact: oh, boy, am I in trouble.
Crinkle, crinkle: I turn the pages of my scriptures.
Beeeeeeep, beeeeeeep: the chicken is cooked.
Blat blat blat: trombone practice
Toot toot toot: trumpet practice
Brrrrrruuum, diddly dum: a son practices piano.
Ping, pingy ping: Paige is playing the piano.
Lawrence Welk is on: it’s haircut time.
The hallway floor creaks: someone is looking for me.
Light streams beneath our bedroom door: someone is up late.
Longer stretches of silence each day: the kids are growing up and leaving.