Working Titles

“You could have told me this right after the conference.  You said something interesting happened that wasn’t the Nigel event.”

“Yes, you’re right.  But now we better get you home and me home and Robert home.  Okay?  For now?  There’s probably going to be a lot more to tell you.”

“I’ll be calling you on the second of January.  Sure, let’s go.”

Two thirty-five Lucie turned off her bedside light, followed immediately by Robert turning his on.  On each bed-stand was an empty glass of sherry, and the bottle was on Robert’s.

Lucie had turned to face him on flipping off her light.  “Robert, do we need lights?”

“I just wanted to look at you.  I’m a lucky chap.  Something was agitating you tonight, and I just saw you in a bit of a new way.  Is there something?”

Kim was certainly not ready.  She turned over for twenty seconds away from the light and Robert.  Then she thought, If not now, then when?, and turned back.  “Shall we have some more sherry?  I’m afraid my mouth is going to go dry.”  She turned back, turned on her own light again, and then turned it off.  She picked up her glass and held it to Robert for filling, which he did, over the bedding, spilling not a drop.

“Are we going to have a conversation?” asked Robert.

“I’m afraid so.”  ‘Conversation’ was a code word for ‘get serious, but be nice’.  Then Lucie had an inspiration.

“I had a dream, love.  And though the dream was really good in ways, it ended with the growing feeling of losing something.  And whatever it was, it seemed it was going to kill me to lose it.”

“Lucie, it was a dream and it got you upset?  Haven’t you told yourself, ‘It’s just a dream’?”

“Yes, the good part of the dream was unreal, like dreams are.  But it’s that feeling that stayed with me; a dread.”

“Then, dearest, tell me about the dream?  When did you have it?  Today?”

“No, Robert, not today, but it was recent.  And I first had it absolutely years ago, not too long after we were wed.”

“So tell me.”

“Even better.  I’ll show you.”

And she did.

At four thirty-five, Robert said. “But I wasn’t in this dream, was I?  Is that it?  Is that what’s eating you?”