Consider Yourself Lucky

Nineteen

My eyes are locked on my phone screen and my body is frozen. I have no idea how to feel. Who is this? How did they get my number? Was this message even meant for me? So many thoughts and questions are running through my mind. Not many people even have my number. I don't know if there's a way that I can find out who sent it. It could just be a prank. Teenagers will type in any random number just to get a scare out of people. I find myself typing a text back.

"Who is this?"

I get a notification almost instantly.

"Message Failed to Deliver." What do you mean failed to deliver? They just texted me. I know I already said goodnight to Collin but maybe he could help figure it out. I call him and he picks up on the first ring.

"Hey beautiful, can't sleep?" Well definitely not until I figure that shit out.

"Something like that. I have a question, but it might be stupid. I didn't know if you could help me or not."

"Ask away. No question is too stupid."

"When you go to text someone back and it says the message failed to deliver, what does that mean?"

"I think it either means the number is no longer in service or they blocked you, why? Is everything okay?" I didn't want to make him worry.

"Yeah, everything is good. Just some dumb teenagers thinking they're funny. No biggie, I was just curious." I hope that sounded believable. Then again, I'm sure he's lied to me so what's a little white lie.

"Alright. Was that all you called for? Do you need anything else?"

"That was all. I'm sorry to bother you over something so small."

"You never bother me. What time do you work tomorrow?" Quite frankly, I wish I didn't, but it's already been two days since I've worked so I have to go back at some point.

"I work eight to one. I should be home by one-thirty. You can come for dinner if you want. I don't know what I'll make but I'm sure Grandma has a cookbook around here somewhere."

"That sounds wonderful. Do you need me to bring anything?"

"Only if you want. I can always grab stuff before I leave work anyways." I yawn and he must have heard it through the phone.

"Okay, I can tell you're tired so I'm going to let you get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"See you tomorrow. Night." I hang up the phone and set my alarm for tomorrow morning. I roll on my side to get comfortable. I'm a bit nervous to fall asleep in case I have another nightmare like earlier. I try to think of all the cute things in the world like kittens and puppies and baby alpacas. That should help me have good dreams. Flake lays on my pillow above my head and her purring is calm and peaceful. I finally feel relaxed enough to close my eyes.

I wake up to a big boom outside. I look out my window and it's raining. If I knew it was going to rain, I would have closed my window before I fell asleep. I walk over to shut it and a bolt of lightning lights up the entire backyard and for a split second I swear I saw someone run out of the back gate. I rub my eyes and look again. Nothing. Nobody. I really need to stop scaring myself. Nobody is going to be outside at this hour, especially in this storm. I suddenly feel thirsty, so I go downstairs to get a glass of water. I peak into the living room and Grandma is sleeping on the couch. I feel bad that she can't be in her bed because the couch isn't as comfortable as it looks and it's probably worse with her knee already feeling the way it does. I take my water up to my room and check the time. It's three o'clock. I lay in bed and reminisce about the dream I was so rudely woken up from. Thanks a lot Mother Nature.

I was standing in front of a mirror in a long white dress. Some beading at the top around my breasts and a medium length veil covering my face. Then it fast forwarded to me walking down a walkway to the beach where Collin was standing, waiting for me. I got to the spot where he was, and he grabbed my hands. The officiant said all he had to say and when said the words "you may now kiss your bride", Collin moved the veil out of my face. Just as his lips went to touch mine was when I woke up. I just want to finish that dream.

I've slept so much in the last twelve hours I'm not even sure if I can fall back asleep until my alarm goes off. I find my remote in the mess on my nightstand and turn on my TV. There's never anything good on in the early morning hours but I flip through channels until I find something I can tolerate. I settle for watching the home network where they buy shitty houses then redo everything in it to sell it for a higher price. That's one way to make a profit. It makes me think about what I really want to do with my life. I don't mind working at the grocery store, but I want something more for myself. Maybe I'll find some online classes to take and find a work from home job that way I can take care of Grandma and not have to worry about missing work. I start job searching on my phone and apply to a couple different places that offer remote work. I have enough money in my savings account as a deposit if I wanted to start some classes. Summer is almost over so classes should be starting up again within the next couple of weeks. I don't even have to fully leave the grocery store. I can work some shifts on Saturdays or pick up a couple when someone calls out. Sort of like an on-call person. Having two jobs and going back to school all while taking care of Grandma is going to be quite the work. Honestly, I don't mind. I can still find time for myself and for Collin so I'm not extremely worried. It's crazy what you think and decide in the hours that nobody else is awake to distract you. Everything is quiet and aside from the occasional claps of thunder, everything feels so peaceful.