What History Doesn't Know

Mom's Place

I opened my eyes. It was really painful trying to do so because it felt like I was sleeping for ages. I looked around me I was back in my apartment and lying down on my sofa.

Sofa? How did I get here? If I remember well, I was on the floor, the kitchen floor to be exact, before I passed out again. I rubbed my head for a while. God, these dreams were making my head feel like it's about to explode.

Looking outside the window, it was daylight. The sun was on the east side of town so it might possibly be morning. How long have I been out? I went to my room to check my calendar. It was only a few hours that I have been unconscious! Yesterday, Eduardo was here. He's not here now. Where could he have gone? Oh, that's right. He told me he had to leave early for a worldwide group expedition a few days ago. Where's Melanie now? Right on cue, my girlfriend came out of the bathroom in her pajamas. She smiled when she saw me and came to hug me.

"You're awake and okay. You had me so worried. Eddy and I found you unconscious on the kitchen floor. I thought you hit your head in the kitchen! We had to carry you onto the sofa. Are you fine now?" she said.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Mel."

"What happened? Did those dreams happen again?"

"Unfortunately, they did." I told her the whole story of my dream, how I was a gladiator named Therus in Capua and met Spartacus.

"Spartacus, huh? Hmm...that's strange." she said as she rubbed her chin.

"What is?" I asked feeling puzzled.

"About this Spartacus. I've read about him. In history books, it was noted that Spartacus disappeared from the battle at Rhegium against General Crassus. People assume he was killed in action."

That was strange indeed. "Like I said in my dream, I, or Therus, buried him under trees that converged."

"Trees that converge? But trees never converge!"

"Well these trees did. They seemed to grow into one bigger tree. I know it's hard to believe but...I don't know."

Melanie placed her hand on my shoulder. "These dreams of yours are getting weirder and weirder. I'm really worried for you."

"I'll be okay. It's just...I'm not sure what these dreams are supposed to mean. First, a war long ago that people now assume is fictitious. Now, some guy who mysteriously disappears from battle and I bury him under trees that converge."

Melanie and I sat there for a while, not saying a word. After a while, Melanie spoke up.

"Shoot! I just remembered that I am supposed to meet up with Zoey and Hayley at the library in ten minutes."

"Why so worried?"

"We're supposed to finish our assignment today! It's due in two days time." she said as she went into the bathroom.

"Two days time. That's Monday," I said to myself. I didn't have any assignments to deal with so I guess I'll help my mom at her shop. She owns a pet shop. A place full of animals usually doesn't smell so good but my mom doesn't mind. She loves animals as much as she loves me. After Melanie finished bathing and got dressed, we kissed for a while and said our goodbyes.

I bathed, got dressed and had breakfast at a sandwich restaurant before heading to mom's shop. I placed two orders of my favourite turkey sandwich and a cup of iced lemon tea. After a scrumptious breakfast, I got in my car and drove off to mom's shop. The street that mom's shop was on was usually busy due to a lot of popular restaurants situated along the street. Luckily, I found a good parking spot in front of a Japanese restaurant. Hmmm...maybe I'll order a California roll on my way home.

When I opened the door to my mom's pet shop, the bell at the top edge of the sounded causing the animals in the shop to start barking, squawking and meowing wildly. A small fox terrier in its cage begin jumping up and down when it saw me.

"Okay, Diego. Calm down. If you behave yourself, I'll give you more food today but don't tell the others." I said quietly as I kneeled down at the dog.

That kept him quiet. I found my mom at the pet food section sorting the cans of cat food. When she saw me, she smiled and came to give me a hug.

"Aahh....Casper, my boy. Como estas, mi carino? Did you remember to make your bed this time?" she said to me. My mother was a short woman with black hair and brown eyes. A typical Spanish woman look. I had to look down at her when we talked.

"Si, mama. I did." I replied. Sigh...sometimes my mom still treats me like I'm the small boy I used to be. She finds it hard to accept that her only child is growing up so fast.

"Mi hijo, where is your novia, Melanie? Is she well?"

"Yes, mom. She's fine. She is out with her friends finishing her project."

"My, my. She is such a good, responsible girl. She would make a perfect wife for you. In fact, hijo, I've been planning what the wedding invitation cards would look like."

"Mom..." I said as I hid my face in my palms.

"It's nothing to be shy about, my Casper. All part of growing up. Now come. I need you to help me carry and sort the new fish tanks. After that, sweep the shop. Outside too. When a customer comes, they must always have a first good impression of our shop. Oh, remember to feed the dogs. Poor things are hungry. Now, get going."

There weren't that many fish tanks, fortunately, so I got that done quickly. Sweeping took quite some time though. Mom's shop was large so I took me about an hour by the time I was done. Once I was done, I was so tired that I began to take a nap. Ahhh...delicious sleep...