He was surprised his stepdaughter had asked for him and not her mother in the middle of the night. The 6-year-old had barely tolerated him up for the months they'd shared a home.

" What's wrong? Monsters in your closet?" he asked.

She nodded.

" Mr.Bones won't let me sleep."

" Mr.Bones? That's funny, my monster's name was Mr.Bones when I was your age."

He chuckled

" Hey, maybe he's here for me and not you."

She reached to turn off the light.

" He told me the same thing," she said.

He heard the closet door creak.