In the Shape of a Man

1015 Skyview Drive. Reynaldo Collins’ eyes opened when he heard the radio alarm go off in his parents’ bedroom. The music went away suddenly. A few moments later came the running of water in the sink. He knew the sounds by heart. Next would come the click of the medicine cabinet, the buzz of the shaver. As Reynaldo lay in bed he realized that the fog was outside. When the fog came and surrounded the house, little sounds seemed louder. He looked around. Gray light seeped into the room from around the edges of the shades on his window. He could see the rectangular shape of his Power Rangers poster on the wall, but could not see the Rangers’ brightly colored outfits or read the words on the poster.

Reynaldo heard a door open. He slid out of bed and knelt, pressing his ear to his bedroom door as Daddy passed in the hall. He heard Daddy fill his water bottle at the kitchen sink. The refrigerator opened and shut. A few minutes elapsed and he heard the squeak of the handle on Daddy’s briefcase, then the rattle of the chain lock coming off. The door closed and locked and Reynaldo slipped out of his room. He crept into the living room and parted the curtains slightly, his face curling into a smile. Daddy walked down the drive, fog swirling about him. Daddy opened the van door, then shut it with a hollow metallic clang. The engine started and the van slowly drove off, disappearing like magic into the cloud of fog. As the sound faded, so did the smile on Reynaldo’s face. He heard a sound behind and turned. It was Mommy.

“What are you doing out of bed?”

“Sorry, Mommy.”

“What are you doing out of bed?”

“I wanted to see Daddy go to work.”

“What did I tell you about getting out of bed before I get up?”

“You said that you would put me down in the garage.”

“Yes. Come on.”

Reynaldo remained where he was. “Sorry Mommy. I won’t do it again.”

Mommy grabbed him by the arm and pulled him across the rug. “Sorry, Mommy,” he said over and over as he held back.