Bed Buddies

It was Lauren’s bedtime and almost time to start the game of choosing a bed buddy. It was a game she and her mother played every night.

She had taken her bath. It made her warm and sleepy. It made her skin smell like marshmallows or maybe vanilla pudding.

She was wearing her pajamas that had pink bunnies jumping all around. There were 20 bunnies just on the front. She knew this because she counted them once.

She brushed her teeth for two whole minutes and then stuck out her tongue and brushed that too.

She climbed onto Mama’s lap for her bedtime story. Tonight Mama read about a boy who didn’t want to grow up. His name was Peter Pan, and he knew how to fly.

Mama closed the book and put it back on the shelf. It was time to start the game. Lauren wiggled with delight.

“I wonder who’s going to be your bed buddy tonight?” Mama asked. She looked around the room. “What about your beach ball?”

“Oh, Mama,” Lauren giggled. “It would roll right off the bed.”

“True,” Mama said. “Well, what about your dollhouse?”

Lauren giggled again. “It’s too big and has sharp corners.”

Mama put her finger to her cheek and thought real hard. “I know. You want Barbie.”

This time Lauren laughed out loud. “Not Barbie. Barbie doesn’t like it if her hair gets mussed. You know that!”

“I had forgotten,” Mama said. “Well, Raggedy Ann’s hair is already kind of messy. What about her?”

“No,” Lauren said. “She likes to stay up all night and talk to Raggedy Andy.”

“My, this is a problem,” sighed Mama. “I don’t suppose you want your firetruck or your jigsaw puzzle or your roller blades either.”

Lauren made the covers wiggle; she was laughing so hard.

Mama frowned. “I don’t know what else to suggest ... maybe your Slinky?”

Lauren couldn’t wait any longer. She sat up in bed and held out her arms. “Teddy! I want Teddy!”

“Good choice!” Mama said.

Lauren hugged Teddy. His fur was soft against her face and he just fit the curve of her shoulder. She closed her eyes, knowing Teddy’s button eyes would stay open all night and protect her from anything scary.

Lauren was glad the bed buddy game ended the same way every night.

She always chose Teddy.

*

Mary Louise Downer says her teddy bear is quite old. He has only one ear but can hear just fine, and his button eyes can see in the dark as well as ever. This story will be on The Times’ Web site at www.latimes.com/kids.