The Yellow Night-Light

A yellow moon-shaped night-light still glows in Mara's nursery after Daniel moved out. Ten nights after Lily was born, it was the only gentle thing.

late night

The yellow night-light stayed on long after Daniel moved out.

It was shaped like a small moon and sat on the dresser beside a stack of newborn diapers. During the day, it looked cheap and ordinary—a piece of pale plastic bought during a late-night shopping trip. But after sunset, it filled the nursery with a soft amber glow.

Mara could not bring herself to switch it off.

On the tenth night after Lily was born, that light had been the only gentle thing in the room.

Mara was thirty-six and still moved carefully through the house, one hand resting against the wall whenever she stood up. Her body felt unfamiliar. Her stomach was sore, her breasts ached, and every few hours a thin cry rose from the bassinet.

She had imagined those first weeks differently.

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Quick answers about The Yellow Night-Light

What is The Yellow Night-Light about?

A yellow moon-shaped night-light still glows in Mara's nursery after Daniel moved out. Ten nights after Lily was born, it was the only gentle thing.

Is The Yellow Night-Light free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.