I was just now getting ready to head upstairs to bed when The Chicken came downstairs. He was crying a little. This is not unusual. At least once a week, he'll stumble out of bed distraught about something. The frustrating part is that when he does this, he's either completely incapable or completely unwilling to attempt any sort of communication.

Tonight I heard him on the stairs and waited for him to come to me. He shuffled into the room wrapped in a blanket and looking upset. I asked what was the matter. He didn't answer but gave a general mumble of distress.

I asked if he was ok. He didn't answer at all.

I asked if he had a scary dream. He whimpered a little, which I interpret to be a general affirmation.

I asked him if he wanted to tell me about it. No answer.

I gave him a nice hug and told him he needed to go back to bed. He whimpered again and headed toward the stairs. He quite suddenly took many left turns and ended up walking around the coffee table twice to end up standing in front of me with the same look of sleepy-headed distress on his face.

I gave him another hug and led him back upstairs to his bed.

I asked him if he wanted the window open or closed. He whimpered.

"Chicken. Focus. Do you want me to close the window? Open, or closed?" He wanted it open.

I tucked him back into bed, stroked his hair and told him I loved him. He was wide-eyed, and still whimpering.

I asked if he wanted to talk about what's bothering him. He nodded, but said nothing.

After a long pause, I told him he just needed to go back to sleep and that everything will be alright when he wakes again. I gave him another hug and turned out the light as I left his bedroom.

I like the nurturing aspects of all of this, but I really wish I knew what the hell was going on.