Active Dreams

Briana tossed and turned on the powder blue satin sheets of her large four poster bed as she drifted off to a deep slumber.  There was a full moon and the moonlight illuminated the bedroom casting shadows on the walls as the light breeze moved tree branches outside the window. Briana walked from room to room as if she was trying to locate something she lost.  The back door of her home was opened and she walked into the back yard.  The leaves made a crunching sound as her bare feet walked upon them.  Her eyes were open wide as she stared at the path leading her further and further into the woods. She heard a sound behind her and she turned to look for the cause of the sound.  Terror struck her and she began running as fast as she could.   An embankment took her by surprise and she tumbled down the hill and landed by a large boulder.   

Rays of moonlight streamed down through the tall pine trees in the woods. She was struggling against the ropes binding her wrists, waist and ankles. Wolves were circling looking hungrily at her.  The alpha male was getting closer and closer as he circled the tree.  Screams were emanating silently in her head as she tried desperately to appear threatening to the predators.

She succumbed to the possibility of her impending death and was hoping for a quick death void of as much pain as possible. The alpha wolf was getting closer and closer. Drool could be seen at the corner of his mouth as he made a huffing sound and started pawing the ground in front of Briana. The other wolves growled loudly awaiting their turn.

            Suddenly Briana heard the galloping of a horse off in the distance. The wolves turned their heads toward the intrusion.  She began screaming at the top of her lungs. A rifle was fired and a man’s voice was heard shouting reassurances to her.  A horse with its rider appeared in the clearing where she was held captive. The man aimed his rifle towards the wolves and fired.  One of the wolves was hit and fell to the ground. The other wolves ran off into the woods. He jumped off his horse and ran to her. His black hair, bronze skin, blue eyes and dazzling smile mesmerized Briana.  His black vest strained against his muscular chest.

            Her rescuer bent down and cut the ropes binding her to the tree. Being tied to the tree in the sitting position without food and water, along with the fear Briana faced washed over her.  She collapsed on the ground in a heap at the stranger’s feet.

            The horse was pawing at the ground and whinnied nervously. The wolves hungrily approached the horse.  Her rescuer aimed his rifle and shot towards the wolves, only missing the largest wolf by inches.  The wolves ran off into the woods. 

            Briana was startled by the gun fire.  She sprang to her feet shakily and planted her feet firmly on the ground to maintain her balance. 

            “Who are you? Where did you come from,” asked Briana as she placed her hands on her hips trying to hide her fear while looking intently into the stranger’s eyes.

            “My name is Brandon,” responded the man as he smiled at her in his attempt to provide further comfort. 

            The image of the wolves devouring her defenseless body overtook her and she looked at her rescuer with fearful eyes.

            “Don't worry, you're safe now,” said Brandon as he cradled her in his arms tightly. 

            Briana melted in his embrace.

            Brandon started licking her cheek.

            She woke to her Scottish Terrier, Buddy, licking her cheek.

            She examined her nightgown.  It was tattered and dirty.  Her feet were caked with dirt and her long thick auburn hair was strewn wildly about her head. 

            How did I get so dirty?  Was I actually tied to that tree with those wolves circling me?  Was that man or anything else in my dream real?

            Briana quivered and pulled the covers up to her chin watching the shadows dancing across the ceiling as the trees swayed in the wind outside her bedroom window.

            Briana heard wolves howling off in the distance.  The air was chilly for a fall day. Briana quickly jumped out of bed and slammed the windows shut and locked them.  The window frames rattled as she did so.  Briana stood shaking fiercely.  She hugged herself and found a large sweater to cover her shoulders. Alone and afraid except for the company of Buddy, she tiptoed out of her bedroom.  Even though daylight was breaking through the clouds she clicked on the lights as she walked from room to room.  Buddy tagged closely by her side.  She felt even more disturbed when she discovered the kitchen door to her back yard was wide open. When she looked down at the floor she discovered muddy foot prints that led from the open door to the living room and into her bedroom.

            Briana stood alongside the footprint and placed her foot aside one of the traces of evidence of the evening’s escapades. The footprint matched the shape and size of her foot.  Shivers ran down her spine as she realized she did not spend the entire night in her bed.

            Where was I?  I can't believe I'm here right now looking at my own muddy footprints.  Look at the shape I'm in.  What's happening to me thought Briana as she hugged herself again to provide what little comfort afforded her.

            Briana collapsed on one of her kitchen chairs and placed her head in her hands and began crying. The details from her dream were running through her mind. She remembered running from something or someone and being tied to the tree.  She couldn’t remember who the culprit was.  Briana scratched her head trying to remember. She was thankful she was saved just in time. Briana realized her dream may have been a reality and the wolves definitely posed a threat. Her thoughts quickly switched to the man who saved her.

That man was so handsome.  Am I lonely?  Is that my problem? Am I so busy during the day that I'm subconsciously seeking out a partner in my dreams?  I have to provide some insurance that I stay in my home tonight and not go wandering in the woods again.  I think I will put extra locks up high or maybe my friend Sally can stay with me.  I will have to ensure my safety, from what, I wish I knew. What monster tied me to that tree? 

She decided to put the events of the past evening behind her and get on with her day.

            I have to get ready for work.  It's French and German cuisine, the cuisines of choice for this week.  Yes, I am in charge of my life she told herself reassuringly.  I can’t wait to see the expressions on my customers’ faces. The grand opening of Briana's international cafe' was going to be held in only a few hours.

            She took a leisurely shower and dressed in a French mai-tre d’ costume which included a black tux complete with tails. Her crisp white shirt was topped off with a black bowtie. The black, pointed toe, leather shoes with a two inch heel completed the ensemble.  Briana pulled her hair into a bun on the top of her head.  Her oval face and large almond shaped eyes added to the ambience of her attire.  She put on a splash of brown eye shadow on her eye lids  and then looked in the mirror to make sure she was ready to greet the day. Briana turned around to look at the tux she was wearing in her full length mirror.  She approved of the way she looked. 

            The day was laced with rays of sunshine peeping through the clouds and the dew was slowly drying on the grass.  Mrs. Harvel waved at Briana while she was picking up the newspaper that was thrown by her front porch. 

            I hope Mrs. Harvel shows up at my open house today.  She said she would.  I wonder when Mr. Harvel is going to come back from his fishing trip with his cousin Morrie.  Mrs. Harvel seems a little lonely without her husband.

            “When’s that husband of yours coming home,” asked Briana.

            “Not until Friday,” replied Mrs. Harvel.

            Part of Briana’s training when she was a child was to refer to people who were older then her by their salutation and last name.  Her parents managed a retirement home for elders and when she was a child she spent a lot of time with the elders at the center. 

            Briana returned her attention to the newspaper laid out in front of her on the kitchen table.  She noticed there was a woman found dead in the woods and it appeared she was attacked by wild animals. The name of the woman was Savannah Smolinski. 

********

            Briana arrived at the café.  She eased her car into the small parking space behind the café and proceeded to the back door.  The door was unlocked she discovered as she turned the knob.  She walked in the back entrance and discovered Desiree, one of the cooks, kneading dough on a floured surface of one of the counters.  Rock music was playing quietly in the background.

            Briana got to work with the rest of the staff to prepare for the day. Everything was in order.  The tables were set with deep crimson vinyl table cloths and black paper napkins were wrapped around silverware and set on each table.  Deep green ceramic tiles covered the floors and the tiles were sparkling clean. The surfaces of the counters and glass were sparkling. The dining area was warm and welcoming with various themes illustrating the different ethnic foods that were going to be featured at the café hung on the walls.

            Before the doors to the café were opened for business, all of the staff gathered in a circle with Briana as part of the circle.  She decided to treat her staff like a team and asked them to put their fists in a circle with her hand on top of their hands and she said “let’s go team.” Everybody was beaming with excitement and trepidation, which was usually a part of the first day jitters for any business.  Briana could feel her enthusiasm rising as she walked to the front door and turned the closed sign to open.  Customers were already leaving their cars and approaching the café. 

            I am so glad I hired the Blue Point Advertising Agency to help me promote the grand opening of my new cafe.  I saw ads on television and heard them on the radio.  When I read the paper this morning I saw the big spread in the paper.  Nice work Briana.  I think this business of mine is going to be a success.

            The first two customers to enter the café were the Harvels.  Clarence Harvel decided to come home early to join his wife Henrietta when she came to the restaurant today.  Henrietta was beaming as she held her husband’s arm as he escorted her through the door and pulled out her chair for her to sit down.  He was dressed in his fishing attire. Briana smiled and brought them menus.

            “I see you decided to cut your trip short Mr. Harvel and by the look on Mrs. Harvel’s face, she is glad you decided to come home early,” said Briana as she smiled widely at the couple.

            “Yes, the fishing wasn’t going well and I would rather be in this lady’s company instead of Morrie’s any day,” replied Mr. Harvel as he smiled at his wife.

            “I tried to talk this beautiful wife of mine into coming with me this year and she told me that she wasn’t going to miss your grand opening.”

            Briana sheepishly responded by saying, “I am so glad to have you as my neighbors.”

            Briana decided that the hours the café was going to be opened for business each day was from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., six days a week and closed on Sundays.  When her parents ran the home for the elderly they had to work seven days a week and she felt everybody could use a day off each week to recharge their batteries. She stood by the front door of the café for most of the day and greeted customers as they entered.  Each customer was given a chance to sign up for a drawing.  One of the businesses she partnered with provided her at a reduced cost a flat screen television and two desk lamps for the drawing.

The crepes, soufflés and German sausages were a success.  The rich French and German desserts displayed in the showcase were almost gone.  The steady traffic kept all the staff busy but not overwhelmed.   

            Dusk was falling on the horizon.  Briana turned to her staff and thanked them for such a great day of team work.  She was impressed with herself for ordering enough food for the first day of business and about her food choices to serve to the customers. Many of the customers gave her many compliments regarding the delicious food and wonderful service. She was so glad to have the first day go so well.

            “I am so proud of all of you.  The food and service was wonderful.  Do you have any recommendations concerning any changes you would like to see us make?” asked Briana.

            The staff did not have any recommendations.

            “I am going to get out of this monkey suit and help with cleaning,” said Briana. Briana packed jeans and a sweatshirt so she could clean in comfort. She entered the storage room to change her clothes.  She patted herself on the back for a job well done.

            All the staff and Briana began cleaning and putting things away. Much was needed to be done before calling it a day.

A large red truck pulled up in front of the café.  A man stepped out of the truck.  From a distance he appeared to be tall and strikingly handsome. The staff and Briana were staring at the stranger as he neared the door of the café.  As he opened the door Briana suddenly realized she knew this man from somewhere.              Briana extended her hand to the stranger to welcome him as she introduced herself and told the man the café was closed for the evening.

            He turned slowly to face Briana and gazed into to her eyes and said, “My name is Brandon.”  He smiled broadly at Briana.

            Suddenly Briana realized this was the man who rescued her in her dream the previous evening.  She began swaying from the uneasiness she was feeling. She collapsed in Brandon’s arms. 

            Briana gazed into Brandon’s blue eyes with awe as he returned her stare with a reassuring smile.