Demons in our dreams
When Oscar got home, the first thing he did was call Esther. Her voice was groggy as if he had woken her up. “I’m sorry, were you napping’?”
She yawned, “it’s okay. I need to get up anyway.”
“Didn’t sleep good last night?”
“Didn’t sleep at all.”
“Come over. We’ll whip up something for dinner.”
She did.
The next night when Oscar got home it was late. He did send her a text message. He wanted to see Esther but all he could really do was stand in the shower and let the water beat him to death and went to bed.
On the third evening, he called but she didn’t answer. He sent her a text, again she didn’t answer. He ate at some left overs.
At midnight, he got up to get some water noticing that her living room light was on. He sent her another text message, ‘What’s wrong?
‘Just got your other message too. Sorry. I can’t sleep.
‘Is that what’s been going on?
‘Yeah. I’m a bear to be around. I can’t stand myself. I just want to go to sleep.
‘I’m coming over.
‘No, you have to work tomorrow. That’s not fair’.
He hurriedly put on his coat and went over to her house. She opened the door to him. The first thing he noticed was the big tears streaming down her face. He hugged her up. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
“That’s just it,” she snubbed. “I toss and I turn. When I close my eyes, I see things that aren’t there. I know they aren’t there but I can’t stop them.”
He threw his coat over the arm of the couch. Couch? As he turned off all the lights, she just stood there watching him. She didn’t have the energy to put up any kind of struggle. Her body and mind were just so tired. Three days with as many hours sleep was taking its toll. He held her face in his hands. She just looked at him with big sad blue eyes as more tears ran down her face. He took her hand leading her to bed, wrapping her up in his arms and legs. Her back was to his chest.
“Am I hurting you?”
“No,” she whispered. But soon broke into sobs.
She was breaking his heart. “Please don’t cry.”
“I,” she choked, “can’t.”
He held her even tighter. At some point she rolled over in his arms, waking him briefly. He kissed her forehead in that moment. He could so get used to this. Whatever was bothering her, he wished nothing more than for it to disappear. But on the other hand, right here is where he wanted to be.
He was able to get up without waking her. She looked so peaceful lying on the bed. He watched her as long as time would allow him. Then he knew he had to get ready for work.
As he collected his coat; yes, there was now a couch in her living room. How did she get it in by herself? Why did she get it in by herself? A sudden urge struck him and he laid down. He wasn’t able to stretch his full frame out on the couch. He could set up with his legs extended or he could curl up. As he laid there for a brief moment; he felt it again, right here is where he wanted to be.
She woke to a note on her pillow. Ess, I will call you as I get ready to leave. You were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t want to wake you. Please, don’t do this again. I know we all have sleepless nights. But after the second night tell me. Please.
O
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