The incident in the night

I was up for a pee at daft o'clock so, dived back under the duvet, as you do.
What I then always do is reach over and give him a wee tap, just to check like. Even if we're not speaking, I do it, hoping he's asleep but never knowing either way. I just need to do it.

Being deaf in bed (no CI or aid in) I don't hear breathing or snoring (every cloud eh?) so, I chase the heebiejeebies with a wee feel, see he's still alive. To be fair, it's not the best method. He could have died 2 minutes since and not be cold yet. Or he could die five minutes later. Or he could be lying there having had a stroke and not able to reach me. I wouldn't hear and a quick feel wouldn't tell me. But it has become a sort of ritual, to me anyway. Probably more of an annoyance to him, on the occasions he perhaps notices.

But this time was different. As my, probably freezing, from washing my hands in cold water, hand, reached in and under his duvet, I encountered, not an arm, not even a back or a side, but, well... you know. At first tippy finger, the dead-to-the-world J sat bolt upright with a yell. I myself let out a screech (probably, didn't hear so who knows) and my heart was in my mouth. He then flopped back down and went right back to sleep (probably... deaf etc.)

As my heartbeat subsided to normal levels, I was left chuckling to myself. Reliving the fright, enjoying it more in hindsight.
Took me a few minutes to drift off again but it was a nice way to fall asleep really. Smiling, no worries, no diedy lying next to me that's for sure.

It's the little things eh?