08-11-2009

Start Fiction:


     Jay couldn't sleep anymore, regardless how hard he tried, wanted. It had been a long time since he had dreamed about Emma, and one of his most enjoyable, calming, peaceful dreams in almost as long.
     It was nothing special, the dream. His uncle used to have a party every year at his farm house and there was a year or two when Emma had gone with Jay.
     The atmosphere was the same in the dream as it had been in the days of the party: relaxed, friendly and fun.
     The land in the dream was built on a hill and a bit of a valley. The house was located down below, with a garage about half way up the hill and at the top was another put building. It wasn't exactly a shed, but it wasn't living quarters either.
     The party was always held in July, so it was good and hot in the dream. Jay had changed his shirt several times in the dream as he was running up and down the hill to fetch this and that, helping get things organized for the volleyball games.
     People were arriving in large groups, Jay weaved in and around people as they headed up the hill to the volleyball courts. Some groups were wearing t-shirts as though they were on a pub crawl. Friends and family mixed and mingled with friends of friends.
     Damn, there are a lot of people this year, Jay thought.
     As he came down the hill for the tenth time, Emma was standing there with a summer hat, tank top and jeans.
     "Hey you," she said.
     "Hey yourself," Jay said as he walked up to her. She looked good, although he wasn't sure about the hat. Her skin looked smooth, her smile was wide; her eyes were still blue like a Tahitian bay.
     The music faded and the hustle and bustle of the people muted. The only thing Jay could, would hear was Emma. A group walked by and told Jay his party sucked and they were leaving, and he merely responded "Thanks, see you next year."
     "I hope it's okay that I am here," Emma said.
     "I am glad you are here," Jay said. He stepped forward and gave her a hug.
     She squeezed him tight. He didn't mention her husband, nor did she. This wouldn't be the first time she came to Jay behind his back. However, it wasn't like they were sneaking off to the park for a late night rendezvous as in the past; this was a highly public event.
     "God, I've missed you," she whispered. Jay squeezed her tighter.
     "Come on," he said as he grabbed her hand, "there are people who are going to be happy to see you."
     They walked up the hill to the volleyball games and went to sit down with Jay's parents, John and Beth, who stood up and hugged Emma, laughing and smiling. His aunt Tina and uncle Bert gave her a warm welcome, and his cousin Stan as well. A dozen other family members playing volleyball all paused to wave a hello.
     Everyone remembered Emma. She was impossible to forget.


End Fiction.

Yeah, this is a two parter...