Don't Wake Me if I'm Dreaming (29 page)

“We seem to enjoy a great deal of hilarity when we’re together. That seems to make the moment better, but we’ll talk about your punishment in a moment.” He grinned.

“Mmm, I suppose I was a little naughty.” I licked my lips.

“A little?” He laughed, “Denial.” He pinned me to the bed, using his teeth to tickle my side.

***

After our long romp, I sat on Jack’s bathroom counter wrapped in a sheet with a brush, ripping a snarl from my hair. I looked like the Serpentine goddess Medusa; however, I didn’t recall Medusa having friction burns in any of her films. Still, I sat smiling in thought.

“Shower with me?” Jack asked while opening the shower door.

I got in the shower and soaked my hair and body. He grabbed the soap and a washcloth and began washing my back. “You never responded to the date,” he said, moving my hair over my shoulder.

“I did. I said it was incredibly sweet, and sudden.” I quoted my words.

“I see. Is that your subtle way of saying you would rather wait?”

“No, not really, I’m just not sure how we’ll pull it off so soon. Weddings take time to plan, and ideas that I have no clue how to put together.”

“My sister Annie lives for that sort of stuff, and Mary and mom would help, too, and you already know Aimee will be at your beck and call.”

I turned facing him, taking the soap. I scrubbed his chest forming a bubbly lather. “What day does it fall on?”

“Sunday. We can have an afternoon wedding after the church service, if you want?”

“I haven’t attended church in so long.”

“Me neither, but it’s never too late. We’ll find the right place to marry.”

“Okay.”

His face lit up and his hands reached for the wall on either side of me. “Thank you!” He kissed me. “Rinse off. We have phone calls needing made.”

“
C
an you keep a secret?” I asked Martha, and took a seat on the corner of her desk.

“All ears.” She removed her glasses, and studied my face, as if trying to predict my words.

“We set a wedding date.”

“I always dreamed of throwing petals down the aisle if you need a flower girl.” She patted my knee.

“That’s sad.” I couldn’t decide how much sarcasm was hiding in her voice. “Anyway, March seventh. We’re venue shopping tonight after work.”

“Where do you have in mind?”

“Not sure. A church it sounds like.”

“Oh boy, they’d burn me on the cross if I entered one. It’s been so long since I repented.”

“You… you repent!” My eyebrows unintentionally rose nearly leaving my forehead.

She made a sour face at me. “Don’t look at me like that. I pray all the time. Mostly that my husband dies in his sleep, but at least I consider God in all things.”

My blank stare spoke for me.

“What’s a matter, kiddo?” She swiveled her chair away from her computer.

“He wants to marry on my parent’s anniversary, and the only time I ever attended church is during memorials.”

“Well, I think it’s sweet he wants to marry you on your parents anniversary. What a way to remember and honor your mother. And as for the church, you can’t hide from God forever.”

“I know. You’re right.”

“Always am.” She picked up a marker and flipped two pages on the calendar then wrote to save the date.

“Did you write dooms day?” I leaned in, reading her handwriting.

“I sure did.” She chuckled.

“You’re the best, and trust me, if I had a lineup you’d be the first I’d ask as a flower girl.”

***

I rushed home only for a moment to freshen up and change before going to Jack’s house after work.

I didn’t see any sign of him, and checked the garage finding both his car and truck parked. Odd, the house was empty.

I walked back into the kitchen to grab my cellphone from my handbag, intending to call him, and noticed him on the back deck. I walked to the sliding glass door. Instantly, I elected to stand inside, moving to the side of the refrigerator, hiding, with my mouth covered to keep from laughing. 

Jack was sorting through the light dusting of snow, stuffing chunks of the poorly disassembled hot tub cover into a garbage sack and didn’t look the least bit pleased.

I leaned, looking to the yard for the dog, which noticed my movement and barked. I fled running across the kitchen as the door slid opened. I held still, not making a sound, hoping Jack didn’t notice me pressed against the wall.

“Not so fast, Cinderella! He’s your dog now, too. Grab me another trash bag, please.”

I turned, with a puckered face looking at Jack, who was shaking his head.

“You didn’t really plan to leave did you?” He held his mouth open with a partially surprised smile. “Unbelievable!”

My head sloped down as I tried speaking with discretion. “I told you a dog was a bad idea, did you listen?”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“When will you ever learn the woman is always correct?” I pinched a smirk waiting for his remark.

“Really. And can you back your words?” He darted after me, chasing me to the stairway.

“The dog backed my words,” I yelled hysterically laughing.

With a swift movement, he caught hold of me and tossed me over his shoulder.

“You’re messing up my hair.” I laughed, trying to wiggle free as he carried me out the back door.

“The woman is always what?” he asked, dangling my legs over the hot tub. “Try the man is always correct!”

“Don’t you dare,” I warned, with zero authority.

“Say it and I’ll give you quarter,” he playfully said, lowering my stiletto boots inches from the water. “The man is always correct, say it!”

I contemplated briefly. “The man is always correct.” I curled my legs up behind me. “That doesn’t even sound right you
barbarian!” I reached, smacking on his butt.

“Your foolish bravery almost cost your Louie Votton boots a near drowning.”

“His name is Louis Vuitton, and I’m wearing Prada. Learn your leathers, Jackson.”

“Learn my leather, pssh.” He shook his head, setting me down in the snow.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you for not getting my boots wet?”

“Hopefully more than you love your boots. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with that damn dog.” His brows ruffled as he straightened out his coat. “I just need to crate him while I’m working I suppose.”

“Good luck with that. It’ll make him depressed.”

“I’m not sure what else to do with him. I don’t want him destroying the house and that damn cover won’t be cheap to replace.”

“Well, leaving him outside with a dog house clearly didn’t work either. Doggy day care?” I suggested. “I have a co-worker that drops her dog off and picks him up as if he were a child.”

“I’ll disregard your suggestion as sick humor. Have you seen the deck? That was a ten by ten hot tub cover that’s now in a hundred, ten-inch chunks.”

“At least you’re not lonely, anymore.” I pulled my coat over my mouth hiding my face.

He shook his head, with a crooked smile. “I’ll lock him in the bathroom for now. Come on boy, get inside.” Jack handed me the garbage bag. “Can you please run that into the garage? I need to dry him off and lock him up.”

“This. Should. Be. Interesting!” I spoke indistinctly.

***

J
ack drove us across town, but wouldn’t tell me where we were going. He held my attention on the topic of how to best deal with Barkley until he pulled along a curb. He placed his hand on my thigh and gently squeezed. “Here we are,” he said, sounding cheerful.

The car was parked on a lane lined with snow-capped trees. Twinkle lights barely shone through the snow and the sidewalks were thick and white. It reminded me of a well-designed scene from a holiday film. I noticed Jack had flashed his headlights, and then got out of the car and walked to my door to help me out.

Set back from the road, stood a historical church constructed of stonework with a tall canopy shelter in the parking lot.

We heard the jingling of small bells and the tapping of shod-hooves on the pavement, as two Clydesdale horses pulled a covered buggy from the canopy.

“Jack, look! Oh my goodness!” My eyes filled with delight.

“I am.” His eyes gleamed. 

“I am Melvin, and these fellas are Maximus and Meridius.” The short old man sat at the front of the buggy tipping his tall hat to say hello.

“Hello. Maximus and Meridius.” I walked closer to a horse holding out my hand. “May I pet them?” I asked.

“Move slowly now, and hold your hand low. They’re social fellas, but get a wee bit antsy when bridled.” Melvin explained.

Steam blew from the horse’s nostrils into the cold air as his marbled eye reflected a street light. “Hi there, handsome.”

The horse breathed heavily against my hand, pressing his nose into it.

“You’re friendly aren’t you?” I reached slowly, rubbing his neck.

“Would you like to go for a ride?” Jack approached my side, letting the horse smell his hand.

We climbed into the enclosed buggy and covered up with the provided blanket then headed down the lane. Jack reached his arm around me and held me snug to his side as we watched the snowflakes drift through the breezy air.

“Did you plan this?” I asked.

“I sure did. I hope it’s not too cold for you.”

“I’m bundled well enough. I’ve never ridden in a buggy, or on a horse.”

Jack smiled, likely already knowing that.

“Have you been to the Duke?” Melvin asked, pointing to a driveway.

“I haven’t.” I shook my head looking at Jack, unsure what that meant.

“It’s here on the left. The gates are probably closed for the night, but it’s worth visiting during the day.” Melvin pointed. “The mansion was built in nineteen-fifteen by a man named James Duke. He was known as the inventor of modern cigarette manufacturing. Quite a history there.”

“I would imagine.” I tried looking down the lane, but the tall Wrought Iron gates leading to a driveway were closed for the evening. “Bummer. Do they do tours there?” I asked.

“Yes, a great deal of events takes place there. It’s open to the public for a fee,” Melvin said.

“We should check it out sometime,” Jack suggested.

After circling a couple blocks, we pulled back in front of a church. Jack helped me from the buggy.

“Goodnight, folks. It’s time for me to get these old lads home.”

“Thank you for the ride.” I gave Jack a hug and kiss after he helped me from the buggy. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Take my arm. The stairs might be slick.”

I stopped at the doors and reached, pressing my hand against the wood in thought. I wondered why I hadn’t dreamt of this moment.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

“Uh huh.”

Warmth burst through the door as Jack pulled it open. Inside, I looked around at all the floor to ceiling stained glass windows.

“Have you attended Mass here?” I asked.

“No,” he admitted. “I haven’t attended church in far too long.” He slid his hands into his pockets walking up the aisle.

A tall wooden cross stood at the head of the well-preserved building.

I sat next to Jack in the front pew.

“Are we the only ones here?” I glanced around.

“I’m sure the priest is somewhere in the building waiting for those of us needing repentance.”

“Repentance.” I laughed bitterly.

He chuckled. “Do you have that many sins in need of confessing?”

“Like I said.”

He smiled at me a moment waiting for a response. “My parents were married here forty-three years ago. My thought is if we marry here on your parent’s anniversary, we will honor both sets of parents.”

I reached for his hand. “Is it possible you’re not really human, you’re an angel just missing your wings? You are always so— thoughtful.”

“I want to include your mom in what I hope will be the best day of our lives together.”

I looked around. I could picture myself in a gown walking down the aisle, and most of all, I could picture Jack standing at the head of the church smiling, waiting to say his vows.

“Uh, Jack, there’s one small issue. You forgot. I’m not Catholic.”

He looked down at the floor for a few seconds in thought. “Well, I haven’t attended Mass in… I don’t even remember it’s been that long. Maybe we could have a minister marry here. I think my parents will understand.”

“As long as you’re okay with it, I am too.”

“Yeah?” He moved a little in surprise.

“Yeah.”

Jack leaned forward, kissing me, sliding his hand on my inner thigh.

I reached for his coat, pulling us closer together.

The loud, deep voice of an elderly man intoned, “This
is
the Lord’s house,
not
your own.”

My hand slid to my lips.

Jack’s hand retracted instantly as he stood.

A tall, elderly priest approached with a questionable stare.

I too quickly stood.

“Father, pardon our moment of celebration. We just decided we’d like to wed here.” Jack explained.

“Splendid, then congratulations is in order. From what I’ve witnessed, the sooner the nuptials, the better.” The priest shared a flat smile. “The secretary has gone home for the night. You can reach her during business hours for an appointment. For now, may I suggest you both consider confessing your,” he made a displeased face, “sins.”

Jack and I shared a glance.

***

W
e were able to hear Barkley howling from the front porch.

“Huh, he sounds happy.” I smirked.

“At least there’s nothing he can destroy in the bathroom.”

“Ha. Fifty dollars says that your optimistic sense is wrong.” I held out my hand to shake on it.

He smiled smugly. “Shit.”

I went into the kitchen, grabbing a garbage bag from the larder. I was mid stair when I heard Jack scolding the dog. I stopped and covered my mouth not wanting him to listen to the escaping laughter from my
I told you so
, thought.

“This is bad.” I heard Jack lecturing the dog.

The floor was covered in toilet paper, the hand towels were chewed, and it smelled awful. “What is that smell… Oh!” I covered my mouth handing Jack the trash bag.

Jack ran his hand over the clawed grooves in the doorframe. “Damn dog.” He moaned.

“Lucky, you didn’t shake on it.” I left the bathroom smiling. “Have fun!”

***