Forehead Kisses (ONGOING)

Part Thirteen

     I woke up to the sweet aroma of eggs and bacon. My eyes were squinting from the light in the house. I see Retty sleeping in a couch adjacent to the couch I'm in. I sat up rubbing my eyes. My neck hurts. My back hurts. I feel awful. 

     Couches aren't really anyone's sleeping place.

     Where am I?

     Floral curtains... wooden walls... a red carpet... oak table. Oh yeah. I'm here. I'm in Dallas. I'm home. 

     I remember now. Retty and I got here yesterday. We were really tired so Retty got on a couch and dozed off. So did I. We didn't unpack yet. Car seats weren't my favorite sleeping place as well. I can't really have a comfortable position no matter how much I punch the seat.

     That dream though. I get these dreams again. The bully. The panda. The sweet words in the dark. I can't really remember the boy's face every time I wake up. But I know I met that boy somewhere in middle school but I forgot the name. Jake ... that's the only name I got. Last name, middle name, initials? Nothing else but a first name. I know it's just hiding at the tip of my tongue but I just can't get it yet. I usually let this all pass since I see no importance in finding out but this is just the third time I dreamed about it. It's so strange.

     I noticed the door left ajar at the corner of the room, letting the warm rays of sunlight come in. I took my phone from my pocket.

      7:46 a.m.

     There were two people outside, I guess, since I heard footsteps crunching the dirt on the ground. They're talking. Both have low voices like those of men. One voice sounded pubescent and one sounded really mature.

     "How about vanilla-flavored coke?" the younger one asked. "Have you ever had one?"

     "What?" the deeper voice responded. It was somewhat sexy like an Elvis Presley kind of voice. Really deep... and sexy.

     "Vanilla-flavored coke!" the younger one exclaimed. "It still tastes like coke though... with a hint of vanilla."

     "That's why they called it vanilla-flavored coke in the first place, genius." I sat there letting out a giggle. The people outside must've heard me cause everything was just dead quiet. Moments later, a face popped in the side of the door. Then it disappeared. I heard whispering. A man appeared in the doorway standing tall and proud while one sandy-haired teenage kid popped his head back behind him. 

     "It's good to see you up, Liz," low-toned Todd said. "Hey, Todd." I smiled. "Who's the kid?" pointing my lips toward the teenager hiding behind him.

     "Oh. This guy?" He nudged the boy's head and yanked him into view so they were now standing beside each other, facing me. "Well, he did change a lot lately but it's still Timothy." My eyelids flung open. "Really? Wow Tommy. Is that really him?" Before Todd could answer, Tommy cut him of with a glad "Sure am. And I'm not a kid anymore, Liz." He was excited and annoyed.

     "Sure you are, kid." I stood up and pinched his cheeks. "You look so... different." His forehead was now filled with pimples but still beautiful baby blue eyes remained the same. He was once this cute little squishy cheeky buck-toothed boy. I've never seen him for two years and he's like this tall charming pubescent kid now.

     Oh, how time changes everything.

     "Oh, Liz." The three of us turned our heads across the room. Aunt Annie stood there with a green apron on. Her hand was holding a spatula. "Just in time for breakfast." She flashed a smile. Todd and Tommy went to help her set the table while I took the trouble of waking up Sleeping Ugly.

     "Hey Retty. Wake up. Breakfast." I shook her shoulder. She was hugging the pillow. "Kiss me, Justin Bieber," she mumbled.

     What the hell?

     "Retty..." I shake her shoulder again. "Close the windows, Mildred! Fish are drowning in water!" 

     Fish drowning in water?And who in the world is Mildred?

     Before I leave her there dreaming about aquatic animals suffocating in water, I leaned close to her face and whispered slowly, "Retty... who's Mildred?"

     "She's... my twin... sister... hamster... cyclops..." she answers heaving gentle breaths as if her dreams were all in a calm state. Maybe the fish are living on land now, I assume.

     I headed to the dining room and everyone was there. Todd, Tommy, Aunt Annie, Granma, Granpa. Uncle Jack wasn't home yet I suppose. Then I heard the front door open and close, wheels were squeaking behind me. I turned and Uncle Jack was standing there, hands on a wheelchair. On the wheelchair was a face I grew up with. One I've missed so bad. Her body, once so active and strong now lay weak and pale on the wheelchair. I couldn't help it. Tears were flowing down my face.

     "She wanted to surprise you, Liz." Uncle Jack said but I ignored him and flung myself to the body sitting before me.

     "Oh Victoria..."