― john j geddes
Dream Invader
I think the hardest thing to do after experiencing an upsetting dream is to go back to bed. It's hard to surrender to sleep when you don't trust your own psyche and feel it may betray you.
To say I had a restless night would be an understatement. I slept with one eye open, being hyper vigilant and really the best that could be said for the experience was that I rested, but I was totally exhausted in the morning.
I texted Maeve to make sure she'd meet me for lunch at Hart House and she assured me she'd be there. Hopefully, she'd have some insight into the eerie occurrence.
But for now, I simply had to get through my morning lecture with Avery who most likely would be sitting front and centre in the first row of students.
I decided to stop by the Hart House Grill for a morning coffee. I felt drained from lack of sleep and needed a pick me up. I got more than I bargained for, however.
Brooke Asher, a colleague who lectures on Romantic Poetry stopped by my table to say hello and unfortunately, Wren Tyler was accompanying her. Obviously, Brooke was unaware of the tension between Wren and me and after saying hello suggested to Wren that they should join me.
To say the situation was awkward would be an understatement. Wren coloured at Brooke's suggestion and curtly responded, "You stay, I have somewhere else to be." She then abruptly turned on her heel and hurriedly walked away despite Brooke calling after her.
I felt sorry for Brooke who looked flustered and upset as she apologized to me.
"I have no idea what that was all about," she said, shaking her head in wonder. "I mean, it was Wren's suggestion we stop by the Grill for morning coffee."
"Don't worry about it," I smiled, trying to make light of it. "She obviously remembered a previous appointment and had to hurry away."
"You know what?" Brooke hissed, now obviously annoyed by Wren's actions, "there's no excuse for her rude and inconsiderate behaviour toward both of us."
"Why don't you let me buy you a coffee?" I offered, "there's no need to be upset going to your morning lecture."
"You're right, " she sighed, sitting down opposite me. "You're a real gentleman, Jude."
Famous for it," I teased, but inwardly felt abused by Wren's anger toward me. It seemed like it would never end and that added to my hopelessness.
After chatting with Brooke, I continued on to my morning lecture feeling the day was in danger of going from bad to worse.
Avery Miller was once again seated at the front of the lecture hall, a knowing smile on her face. Was it confidence in her feminine wiles, or some preternatural knowledge of what transpired in my dream?
It was pure madness for me to think the latter, but then, I was the one with the swollen lip and bruised ego from Wren’s rejection, so anything seemed possible, including a paranormal encounter.
Yeah, I knew it sounded insane when I said it, except for one detail—Avery was wearing the same dress she wore in the dream.
This was not a coincidence.
Yep, this day was going to hell and me along with it.