Chapter 3
Dream, Past, and Present
Carolynn saw some howling creature race by, wreathed in flames, boys yelling about fire crackers running after it. Then she felt a weight pressing down on her chest, so heavy it almost hurt to breath. She realized she was in bed, Daniel standing there gazing out into the night sky through his telescope. She couldn't move. She tried to cry his name, but the weight pressed down even harder. She realized an enormous tattered cat was sitting on her chest, peering at her with glowing copper eyes. "Get off!" She kept trying to yell, but she couldn't make a sound.
She didn't know how, but she understood the cat as though it were speaking to her, even though it wasn't. 'I don't think I like you here.'
She kept trying to move or scream "get off! I can hardly breathe!"
The cat unsheathed its razor sharp claws and scratched her chest. 'I smell your heart. You love him?'
Carolynn fought to say, "Yes! Now get off me! You're just a bad dream!"
The cat got up and sprawled across the empty pillow beside her. 'Don't let him leave you behind. It burns.' Carolynn tried to stroke the cat, to comfort it, but she couldn't move her hands. She fell into nightmare images of its last moments and then into blessed dreamlessness.
She awoke startled by the alarm clock, the pillow damp against her face. She felt her chest, but there was no wound.
Jonathon demanded, "Mom, why can't I ask the captain to tell Circe stories?"
"Honey, his cat died in a bad way, and I'd rather not remind him."
The captain materialized, startling her, and said, "Son, your mother is a very kind woman, but I don't mind telling Circe stories. Those who have passed and aren't present like I am live in memories, and it's good to hold on."
"Daniel, a moment please."
"Lad."
"I know. Go outside or something." Jonathon exited the alcove.
"Daniel, I don't think it's good to dwell on the past like that."
"Madam, you live with a ghost!"
"It's not good to dwell on those who aren't present."
"You never speak of your husband Robert, I've noticed. I never brought it up before but I've long thought it unusual."
"You yourself said something about the past being a nice place to visit, but preferring the present."
"Visit the past, yes, but don't ignore it. Think of the effect on Jonathon and Candy. I hadn't thought about Circe in years, and I wish I had. Carolynn, hold tightly to all of it." Carolynn thought wryly to herself, what else would a ghost say?