like a lazy ocean hugs the shore

I had a couple of good nights of sleep. Until last night. Marcie and I finally caught up. Marcie made dinner and then we moved the bed into my apartment. We watched The Sound of Music and had our dessert. We talked about her upcoming wedding, my upcoming recital and caught up about our summers. It was fun and I had a really good time. I ended up getting home and doing some more organizational work. I got a lot of work done, before and after the evening with Marice. I meant to go to bed a lot earlier. But I got into a good groove with working and then it was really cold when I crawled into bed. It took me a while to get comfortable and fall asleep. This is what I dreamet.

I was running. Not on foot. That came later. I was in an old green pickup, racing down the highway, in the dark and in the rain. I could see the car behind him and the determination in The Man’s face. He knew he was catching up. Ahead, traffic slowed and stopped. The Man’s car was no longer in view. I didn’t know where he was. The exit was only a few yards ahead. If I pulled off the road, I could make it off the highway. The door jerked open and The Man stood there, snarling with satisfaction. I hit the gas, throwing him off balance, but not enough to lose his grip. As I sped down the median, I reached across the truck and slammed the door on his fingers. He didn’t release immediately, but the third time it finally worked. And I roared down the exit ramp.

I didn’t know the area, but there were shopping malls and a large school. I pulled into the school and raced around the back. There were more cars than I expected, but I found an empty space and pulled in. I killed the lights just as I saw The Man’s car pull slowly into the parking lot. I quickly got out of the car and ran for the lobby of the school. I got into the building, but he had seen me. I raced up the stairs to the right and down a narrow hallway. There were bathrooms on the left and classrooms on the right. I dashed into the men’s room and hid in a stall. I don’t know where he went, but he didn’t come into the men’s room. I crept back into the hallway and continued down the hallway. I ran down more stairs, hallways, more stairs, a gymnasium and another staircase. I considered giving up, just sitting down and letting him catch me. What’s the worse that could happen? Then I would remember and keep running. He wanted to kill me. I didn’t know why, but I knew it was why he was chasing me and I knew he wouldn’t hesitate when he caught me. So I kept running.

I don’t know how long I ran, but I knew he was always close behind. Just a step away from catching me. A step away from killing me. Eventually, my running led me to the back rooms of the auditorium. There was a musical opening that night. I kept moving, not recognizing any faces, knowing The Man was still out there. I finally stumbled into the lightening and sound booth. The techs were sitting around a table playing cards, waiting for the show to begin. I was checking the room for entry or exit points and almost missed it. Justin was sitting at the table, his back to the door. I fell on my knees next to him.
“Hey! Are you okay?” he asked as I leaned my head on his arm.
“I’m tired. What are you doing?” I avoided his question.
“Playing cards until the show starts.” He shifted his arm and wrapped it around me, so I was leaning against his chest. And for the first time all night, I relaxed. I was safe from whoever was chasing me, there with him.

I have no idea what it means, or what I’m supposed to think of it. I know I spent most of the dream scared, running for my life. That part was the nightmare. The rescue was the safety that I found in the end. I don’t know if Justin is important or not, or what is really significant from the dream. Or if anything is really significant from the dream. I’m really not feeling all these crazy dreams though. I’d like to have more of those normal sleeping nights. Especially with school starting up. When I dream that intensely, in that much detail, I don’t sleep well.

Here’s to hoping for a good night’s sleep. If I must dream, let me dream of something happy, like dancing in Italy.

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
You know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Sway ~ Dean Martin