|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Lady of my Dreams
ã 1997By George William Sweeney
Willis walked down the dark hallway to the door of his apartment.
He had worked late again at the office. He did not like being alone in his apartment on a Friday night.
He had never been all that social. He considered himself too shy to be outgoing and get to know anyone. That is why he worked with computers. He did not know how to carry on that small talk that is so necessary when starting a relationship.
He did not have difficulty finding someone to go out with him, women thought he was good looking and a great dancer. On a dance floor he could sweep his partner around the floor with such grace as to make her swoon. The problem was carrying on a conversation. Anyone he was with did almost all the talking, and Willis would listen.
He watched TV until he was about to fall asleep before he headed for bed. Still, it was awhile before he fell asleep.
Willis found himself on a grassy hill. He looked around and found a large oak tree on the very crest of the hill. The sky was a bright clear sky blue, but even though the sky was bright he could not see the sun.
He walked over to the tree and sat down with his back against the trunk. He knew that it had to be a dream.
As he was sat watching the birds hopping from branch to branch, he heard the sound of footfalls off to his side. There was a woman walking towards him. She was tall, slender and had long wavy black hair. She was wearing a long white dress that flowed with the wind.
She appeared to be as surprise to see him as he was to see her in his dream.
"Hello," she spoke first.
"Hello," he responded without the usual tension in his voice that he has when talking with a woman. He noticed that he did not feel nervous. But of course it was his dream and he could be brave.
"Would you sit down and join me?" He asked with a smile.
"Yes," she said as she sat next to him. "This is a very beautiful place."
"It most certainly is. See the nest up there on the branch?"
They watched the birds for what felt like a long time. He wanted to say more but did not want to bore her. He finally gave up worrying about what to say. This was a dream after all.
She leaned towards him and placed her head on his shoulder. He did not know what to do. He had to keep reminding himself that it was just a dream and he did not have to worry about the outcome. Then he moved his arm around her shoulders and she happily accepted it with a glance into his eyes and a smile.
He was able to relax now as they sat watching the birds flying to and fro. So relaxed that he fell asleep.
He awoke from his sleep very happy. He did not dread the day as usual. He felt like he actually had been with this woman. It was all so real.
This day passed very quickly for him. He even took a walk to the park to enjoy the flowers on his way to eat at his favorite chinese restaurant and then to see a movie at the theater across the street.
He hurried home from the movie. He got ready for bed and fell asleep fairly easily.
He was in what looked like a garden. The plants were all so well kept. There was plenty of shade trees and flowers. He walked over to bench next to a waterfall and sat down.
He was watching the fish in the pond as he heard her call from behind.
"Hello," she said.
"Hello again. I found us another nice place. Do you like it?"
She sat down next to him and bent over to look into the pond. "I most certainly do. How do you manage to find such wonderful spots?"
"Just lucky I guess."
They sat in contemplation of the surrounding garden. Neither needed to talk. They were just happy being together and watching the fish.
He awoke from this dream.
It was just so real for him. He could see the texture of her skin. He smelled the scent of her perfume. The night before he felt the warmth of her body as he held his arm around her.
He thought of her several times during the day. He could not wait until he had his next dream of her. He hoped it would be tonight.
"But I do not even know her name." He reflected. "How silly? How often did a dream character have a name." But she was real, for him.
That night he found himself standing on a beach. The white sand stretched out as far as he could see in either direction along the shore. The water was very blue beyond the breaking waves. The beach was backed with lush palm trees.
He was looking for her this time. She came walking out of the tree line towards him. She smiled and waved as she hastened her step towards him. She flung her arms around him and gave him a hug which he enthusiastically returned.
"I am glad you joined me." He said.
"I wouldn't miss it"
He took her hand as they started to walk along the beach, letting the waves cover their feet.
He stopped, looking at her said, "This might be silly, but I do not know your name"
"I'm Ann. I am actually relieved that you did not know my name. I do not know your name either. I was too embarrassed to ask"
"Willis"
As they started to walk again they talked of the seagulls and the sea. They both loved nature but did not spend much time outside.
Night after night, they met in his dreams. Each night it would be somewhere new, somewhere wonderful. But he did not know if each place was wonderful on its own or because Ann was with him.
They would climb a tree and talk of being children. They would sail a boat and speak of places they have been and wanted to visit. They would watch the stars and tell each other about dreams of family. They would dance and he could only hear the music in his own heart.
He was falling in love with a dream. But she was a wonderful dream.
This night they were dancing to a slow love song. They were on board a river boat. The moon was full and there was no one else there but the band.
"I wish tonight could last forever." She said.
"I would settle for just every tomorrow"
He looked into her eyes. Her smile melted away and her lips slowly parted as her eyes closed. Very slowly their lips touched in a tender kiss. Their arms reached around each other and they pulled tightly together.
His head was swimming when their lips parted. All he thought of was her warmth and that he wanted her always.
"I love you"
"I love you too," came her reply.
He awoke overjoyed. Springing from the bed he danced around the room. She loved him.
As suddenly as his dance began, it ended. "How could I be so happy? It was just a dream. It is not real. It is not real."
His mind was so absorbed with Ann that he forgot to take his lunch to work. He did not like going to the cafeteria but he did not have time to try to find somewhere else to eat anything.
He picked up some of their special of the day and had paid for it. As he was turning away from the register he bumped into someone. The contents of both their trays fell to the floor.
"I am so sorry." He said as he stooped to pick up some of the debry.
She stooped also to pick things up. "It was my fault, I should have been looking where I was going"
They both glanced up from the floor and their eyes met.
"I had something on my mind." She continued very slowly.
He placed the rest of his tray down and took her hand. "Ann"
"Yes, but how do you know my name"
"You look like someone I know."
Hesitantly she asked. "Would your name happen to be Willis"
'Have you ever dreamt about meeting the perfect person?" He said as he lifted her up with him.
"I believe it's possible. Have we met in your dreams?" She said hesitantly.
He held her hand to his lips and gently said, "I believe we have a dance to finish tonight"
As his lips softly brushed her hand, she said. "Not just for tonight, tomorrow too."
Please leave a comment.
