“I Was Talking to the Monster”

When I was a little kid, about Kina’s age, I had an imaginary friend. I think his name was Norman. I don’t remember being able to see him, but we went bowling together in the living room of our house and we would play together in the sandbox. He was a perfectly nice imaginary friend and a great comfort to me, but I imagine it would be slightly creepy to have been aware of him at the time. Kina also has friends, but they are monsters, and they live in the shadows behind us when we tuck her in at night. She whispers to them so that they don’t eat us. I’m sure they’re perfectly nice and good company to her as she falls asleep, but I wish she would wait to speak with them until after we leave her room. Maybe she could take them bowling.

dad