"Mummy, I had so much fun today. Can Sam come over to play tomorrow?"
I struggled out from rummaging under my daughter's bed for her toys and raised my head to stare at her. She grinned at me knowing all the hassle she and her friends, Samantha and Lindsay had put me through.
I raised a finger. "After you finish your homework. You know the rules."
"Sure, mom. Thank you," she said, like the cute, adorable child she was. I stroked back her curls from her face and kissed her good night. I stood to my full height and a bone creaked loudly somewhere in my back.
It was an exhausting day. The children were so full of energy and I kind of made a mistake by feeding them with chocolate biscuits sprinkled with powdered sugar. What was I thinking?! The girls would not stop running around, laughing and screaming at the top of their voices. Their toys were scattered everywhere in the house.
Soon as Samantha's mother came and picked them up, I got busy cleaning up. My mind was made up —no more sugar for the little missies. I turned to leave her room when she spoke up, "Mom, I am not ready to sleep yet. Will you read me a story?"
I could not believe my ears. I turned and gave her my mean look. "Young lady, you best close your eyes and sleep now."
"But I don't feel sleepyyy." She drawled and sat up in bed. Oh no. It seemed the sugar was still in her system and I would have to find a way to wear her out. I sighed.
"Fine. It's going to be a win-win for both of us, eh?" I dropped the toys in a box I had placed on her reading table and picked up her Enid Blyton's The Enchanted Wood.
"What's a win-win, mom?" My energetic 4 year old daughter asked. I moved close to her bed.
"Make some space for mommy, dear." I said. She shifted and I slipped in with her.
"Here," I gave her the book. "You will read bedtime stories for mommy." My daughter stared at me unbelievably. I smiled in satisfaction and leaned on the headboard.
I hope you enjoyed reading my piece. This short story is a five-minute freewrite inspired by the prompt "energy". Join the 
