While We Were Dreaming

Chapter 4: Of Dreams And Ecstasy

Chapter 4: Of Dreams And Ecstasy

“Darling, wake up,” a sweet, whispering voice breaks through the gossamer web of her subconscious. “Little one.” She hears it call again.

Her eyelashes flutter against her plump cheeks as her eyes try to fight the will to remain closed. When they do open a woman comes into her focus. Her long, blonde locks fall freely across her shoulders and her hazel eyes are soft.

“Hello, my darling.” The woman coos as she wraps her into a warm embrace, lightly playing with the ends of her black curls with her fingers.

“What is it, mommy?” the girl asks, looking into the woman’s kind eyes.

“I have a surprise for you.” She smiles.

The little girl’s eyes widen as a gleam of excitement envelops her deep blue irises and her pink lips part to reveal a large smile. “Really?” she shouts.

“Yes,” the woman whispers and places a finger over her lips. “But we must be quiet.”

The girl awkwardly covers her mouth as she giggles and nods her head. “Okay.”

The woman leads her down the rickety staircase into the front room while leaving only a single light in the hallway on. The light is yellow and illuminates the stains and tears in the wallpaper lining the structure. The rest of the house is dark, but the girl can make out the form of luggage laid out by the door as they approach.

“Mommy, what are those for?”

The beautiful woman crouches before her daughter and takes both of her hands gently into her own. “We are leaving here. I’m taking you some place new. Some place different.” Her voice is sweet and her kind smile does not wane.

The excitement in the girl’s eyes falters for a moment as she takes a cautionary step back. “What about Joe?”

“What do you mean darling?”

“I -” she turns her head up as if gesturing to the rooms upstairs. “I don’t think -”

“Listen to me.” The woman grabs her attention again by pulling her lightly by the hands. She locks their gaze, hazel and blue, and speaks sternly. “I will never let that man lay another finger on you again, do you understand me?”

Her daughter’s eyes lead to an old soul, and she watches as they search her own for the confidence she seeks. She watches her throat move as she takes an empty swallow and a piece of her heart breaks at the struggle she sees before her. She knows what is best for her daughter, but the little one is full of fear, even if she fights against showing it.

She cups her rosy cheeks in her hands and lets another soft smile brighten her features. “I will keep you safe, my darling. No one will ever hurt you again.”

The girl nods and smiles in return, obviously believing fully in her mother’s words. “Okay.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, mommy.”

The little one carries her mother’s purse to feel she is of some assistance with loading the car. The lullaby used to sing her to sleep every night hums in her throat as she skips to the pavement, oblivious of the tense aura surrounding her parent. Her mother continues smiling as she buckles her into the backseat, keeping the tears and the worry at bay.

“Are you ready?” she meets her daughters gaze through the rearview mirror as she awakens the old engine with the turn of her key. She watches the animated nod of her little head and shifts the car into drive.