Friendship

         "Moe! Moe, are you in there?"

         "I'm in here. Where else would I be? I live here. Come on in."

         "Wouldn't you rather live somewhere else? You don't have very much room in here."

         "Enough room for me, Nobody else comes to see me, There's room enough for us."

         "I wouldn't want to live in here."

         "That's because you're an eight year old boy. I'm different. This is the right kind of place for me."

         "But you have to hide all the time."

         "That's how it is with me. It's never been any other way. It's normal for my kind."

         "Well. anyway, I brought you something. Mom wouldn't let me have a doughnut this time. She says I eat too much sugar."

         "You probably do."

         "I brought you a PB&J."

         "What's that?"

         "Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Don't you know what that is?"

         "I know what a sandwich is. I've heard of peanut butter. This looks good. Aren't you having any?"

         "No, I ate already. This is for you."

         "Thanks. This is good. Kind of sticks to the roof of my mouth though."

         "I guess you were hungry. What do you eat when I can't bring you anything?"

         "I don't need much. There was a nice big cricket in here yesterday."

         "You eat bugs?"

         "When I can get them. There aren't very many in here though."

         "That's gross."

         "Not really. A cricket is real tasty and very nourishing. Not for boys but fine for me."

         "I like that you're here. I feel safe at night because I know you're here. I know if there was a burglar or a kidnapper you would scare them away."

         "I'm glad you feel that way."

         "And you're someone to talk to. I like you. I'm glad you're here."

         "I thought you'd be scared of me."

         "I was just at first. But I know you now. You're good and kind and I like having you here. You're my friend. Moe, Please don't cry! I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

         "No, you didn't hurt my feelings! You made me really happy. I never thought I'd have a friend. Most boys are afraid of the monster that lives under their bed."