The Dreamer

Chapter 7

“What? What did they say?” Britt pressured her brother to talk.

“They just wanted to know how I am. Dad also went on some tangent about how I might be, how did he put it, ‘demon oppressed’. After I told him I wasn’t, you came in.”

Britt’s face displayed evident fear. “Travis! You mentioned to me that it was possible just today! You told him you were fine? What if you’re wrong?”

“I’m not. Britt, I feel perfectly fine now. I only mentioned it because I wasn’t thinking clearly and was overreacting about what had happened. But I’ve had time to think it over, and I’m certain that nothing like that happened to me.”

His sister clearly wasn’t buying it all yet. “I don’t know…I think it’s better to err on the side of caution at least.”

Travis sighed. “Dad wasn’t concerned with how I am personally. He only wanted to know if I was spiritually oppressed or anything. I could tell he wanted to convert me to believe his spiritual beliefs. He joined a group that ‘explained spiritual concepts’ to him.” Travis dismissed the sentence with a dramatic roll of his eyes.

“Dad joined a religious group?”

“I know. It’s weird. And that’s all he talked about with me. Even after I told him I was fine, they both looked like they were ready to leave. That was all they cared about. No questions about how school is going, if I have a girlfriend, or anything.”

“They were just anxious to know you were alright. That’s all.”

“Yeah, okay.” Travis abruptly changed the subject. “I’m hoping to get out of here today. I’m feeling fine except for a slight throb inside my head.”

            “That would be good,” came the vague answer from Britt. Her thoughts were obviously elsewhere.

Neither of them said anything for a few minutes.

Britt looked at her brother, who was leaning against the pillows with his eyes closed. She knew something was different about Travis. Something changed in him between the time she saw him last and now. What it was, she had no idea. She only hoped that it wasn’t something permanent.

She bumped his arm. “Travis?”

His eyes snapped open, and his body jerked forward. His eyes were dilated and wide open.

“You alright, Travis?” She took a cautious step back.

“Oh, uh, yeah. I’m fine.” Travis noted his unusual body reaction and quickly tried to compose himself.

“You sure? You seem…strange. Not like yourself.”

Travis bit back the temptation to snap at her. She was just observing, and she was right.

“I’m fine. Just tired and high-strung from Mom and Dad’s visit is all. Plus my head is still pounding.”

“Maybe coming home today isn’t a good idea. You could stay another night.”

Travis shook his head definitely. “Getting home will be better for my head then whatever they’re giving me now. This bed is the most uncomfortable thing ever. I wouldn’t be surprised if the mattress is filled with LEGOs.”

Britt smiled, and a chuckle escaped her mouth. “LEGOs, huh? I would say Lincoln Logs, but then again I’m not in the bed.”

Travis returned the grin. “No, I’m positive it’s LEGOs. It feels as if I’m sleeping on a giant potato. It’s hard to get comfortable.”

Britt dropped her head to hide her laughter.

This was more like her brother.

Travis heard her laughing and joined her, but he knew his time was limited until he had to make a decision.

*           *           *

            Travis signed out of the hospital with a bandage wrapped around his head and Linda by his side instructing him how to clean the wound, how often, how to replace bandage along with a prescription for a generic painkiller.

            Travis thanked Linda for her help, and walked out the front doors where Britt was waiting for him, her car not far away.

            “Do you need help walking or anything? Are you dizzy, or unsteady? Can you see clearly?” Britt reached out and grabbed his hand.

            “I’m fine! Really,” he insisted. But he didn’t remove his hand from hers. It would make her feel better.

            Together they made their way to the car Britt opened the passenger door for Travis, then circled around to the driver’s side. She started the engine and soon they were on their way back to their apartment.

            Twenty minutes later, they entered their tiny and quaint home. They had chosen renting an apartment close to the university rather than living on campus. They were only a few minutes from the university. A deal that actually saved them money was hard to find, but after many hours spend searching online and locally, they finally landed on a two bedroom, one bathroom apartment with a kitchen and small sitting area. It gave them a quiet studying location, plus the advantage of a short commute.

            Travis slumped onto the small two people couch, and rubbed his head.

            “Hey Britt, next time you go out, can you pick up this prescription?” He handed her the slip of paper from Linda.

            “You have to call it in first.” She smiled.

            Travis let a small grin come across his face. “Oh right. I’ll go do that now.” Travis punched in the numbers for the local pharmacy and retreated into his bedroom.

            Britt smiled to herself. Ever since he was a teenager, Travis could only talk on the phone if he was alone somewhere. Usually it would be his room, but depending on where she was, he would find a solitary place to talk. It was one of his weird quirks.

            A few minutes passed before Travis returned to find Britt quietly watching television. He sat next to her saying, “It’ll be ready in a few hours.”

            She nodded, and together they watched a show about a doctor with a limp. For now, things were normal.

            Travis knew differently though.