Don’t Answer Your Name at Night

Stop scrolling. If you hear someone calling your name tonight— don’t answer.

I learned that too late. It started a month ago. Every night,

right as I was falling asleep, I’d hear my mom say my name. Not yelling.

Not angry. Just calm. Close. “Come here.” I’d respond,

half asleep, “Yeah?” Nothing. At first I thought I was dreaming.

Then it kept happening. Same voice. Same words. Always after midnight. One night I finally

went to her room. She was asleep. Deep asleep. Door locked. Phone face-down

on the dresser. The next morning I told her. She stared at me and said,