My wife had an awful dream last night. Her moaning and muffled voice conveyed terror, and it woke me up from a sound sleep.
I put my arm around her waist, which usually calms her down when she's having a nightmare. This time it didn't work. After a few more minutes, she sat upright and called out for my son Eryk. She was now awake, and I told her she had a scary dream.
At that point she began to cry, which was very unusual for my wife. She explained that she and Eryk were on a dock, and he slipped off and couldn't swim. My wife tried to jump after him, but she could only stick one arm and her head under the water. She watched him struggling as he sank, then became still. The thing that made her cry was she saw his face as his breath ran out, his hair billowing around his face as he dropped below the ambient light level.
She went upstairs and slept in his bed the rest of the night. I have a feeling he's in for some huge hugs and kisses when she comes home tonight.