To monster land

"Mommy!"

The bedroom door opens.

"Yes, darling? Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Tommy shrugs. "Remember what I asked you about monsters under my bed?"

"Of course there are no monsters in this house," she replies for the umpteenth time.

"But under my bed--"

Mother sighs. "There's nothing there."

The boy's eyebrows wrinkle in nervous concentration. "Let's say there is one, though. A big purple--"

Once again she interrupts. "Tommy, there's no such thing. If there was, then it could stay right there with all the dust."

"No," Tommy shakes his head. "It wants to take me away to Monster Land!"

"You're a big boy, Tommy." She rubs her forehead." "I think you can figure it out for yourself. Okay?"

He nods seriously.

"Good night."

As soon as the door clicks shut, Tommy smiles.

A fuzzy purple face appears from under his bed. "That sounded like permission to me," it rumbles.

"Yup," the boy agrees, his eyes twinkling in anticipation. "To Monster Land!"