Wildest Dreams

fi f t e en

"Unless your sandwiches have magical abilities to magically make him feel better, stop pestering your son." Mr. Lantz opened the door after three rings.

We were both surprised to see each other, to say so simply. All that happened today was just so unexpected, from the dream to showing up in my friend's houses. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised anymore about doing necromancy to the dinosaurs.

"Mr. Lantz," I greeted with a nervous smile. "I hope I didn't come at the wrong time."

He smiled too, but of the recognition. "Maple, isn't it? Come in."

I entered their house. It was warm inside and I felt strangely felt relieved to be here. After wiping my shoes on the rug, Mr. Lantz led me into the kitchen where his wife set aside the loaf of bread and chicken spread.

"Who is it, dear?" She asked.

"It's one of Glen's old friends. Remember Maple?"

"Oh yes." She looked up, grinning. "Your grandparents won't let you sleepover. Mr and Mrs. Benson are known to be strict since then."

"You personally know my grandparents?" I asked.

They glanced at each other and uneasiness followed. Mrs. Lantz chuckled nervously. "Not much, but they've been around the neighborhood for years. Would you be so kind, Maple, to bring Glen his dinner?" She motioned to the plate on the table.

Mr. Lantz sighed beside me.

"Sure, I was planning to talk to him anyway," I said, taking the plate in my hands.

"That is very kind of you, dear. The trauma's taking a toll on him." Mrs. Lantz sighed.

I nodded then headed to the stairs. Mr. Lantz told me the directions to Glen's room, but I never intended to forgot them after all these years. As I reached the last step, the door to Glen's room opened. He appeared with a grin on his face.

"I saw you coming from Nancy's house," he told me.

"Stalker," I joked.

He laughed lightly and took the sandwiches from my hands. He jabbed his forefinger on the stale crust but ate it anyway.

"Come on in." He pushed the door wider with his back. I walked in awkwardly and stood by his bed, my eyes noticing the small changes in his bedroom from the last time I was here.

"So uh, how have you been doing?" I asked him.

Glen stood in his oversize white shirt, its one corner hem tucked into his plaid pajamas. His dark hair styled a nest on his head, he looked as if he just got out of bed with his drowsy eyes and slightly slurred speech.

"Just tired, I guess, even though I'd done nothing the whole day." He held his sandwich in front of him, but with a sigh, he brought it down and put the plate on the table behind him. "I feel bad that maybe I could've done something—"

"Hey, it's not your fault," I comforted. I stood beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know, Maple. I could've stopped or prevented—"

"Glen." I made him look at me by placing my hands on either side of his face. "You're not to be blame at anything, you hear? You and Nancy, you had done nothing wrong last night. Bad things just happen."

Glen's eyes stayed down but he nodded. He placed his hand over mine gently. "Can I hug you?"

"Sure."

He stepped closer to me and wrapped his arms around me. I returned the embrace with warmth and peacefulness we all needed at these times. His head rested on my shoulder while I brushed my fingers softly on his hair.