From:
Uncovering the Inner Lullaby:
an Insomniac’s Workbook

Rochelle Ratner

“Leave the worrying to professionals,
and live your lives.”

— Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City

September 26:

“Why don’t you tell me all the things that are bothering you?” Flip suggested, cradling my body from behind and playing idly with one breast.

I told him about a project at work that simply wasn’t going well. And a conversation/fight with my mother, who apparently was still discussing me with Aunt Ella. And how the apartment was so messy neither of us could find anything. I also stubbed my toe two days ago and it was still hurting and I was paranoid that it might be broken.

Flip held me tighter. He told me I had nothing to worry about, he’d keep all my worries safe for the rest of the night, so I could let go of them and just drift off into sleep. He said all I had to do was trust him.

Frankly, I prefer Guatemalan worry dolls.