Living The Dream (Nightmares are dreams too)

Kathy's loneliness

There was a giant grin on my face, as I took one of the still warm cookies. "You are perfect, you know that?", I smiled at her warmly. Kathy laughed sadly. "I wish my family thought so too..." She put the plate down and sat on the sofa. I tilted my head in confusion. "They don't?" She shrugged. "See these drawings?", she pointed at the wall next to a window. A bunch of children's drawings and scribbles hung there. I stepped closer. Some had the typical Mother and child story, others were of two girls. "Who drew these?", I asked carefully. "Meg and Sally, my two daughters." I looked over the pictures once again. "There is no father on these. Were you a single mother?" Kathy nodded. "They are twins. Once I was pregnant, he left me. I did my best to raise them but I guess, I failed. Once they were out of the house, I never heard of them again. I only get the obligatory Christmas letter. The last time I saw them was at their weddings. Since then, I only know how they are because of Facebook and Instagram. I feel so horrible..." A single tear rolled down her face. I was shocked to say the least. I hurried over and hugged her. "Hey, you didn't fail. They went their own way, are independent! It takes a lot to be able to teach one's children that." She sobbed a little in my arms. "Well, your parents did everything very well. I wish my children were like you." I just hugged her tighter. "My parents threw me out of their house when I was eight. Well, they had to. They didn't want me to be badly influenced by hell and all, you know? I haven't seen them ever since." She pulled away quickly and looked at me with giant eyes. "Then how did you get to where you are today?" I snickered. "That is a story for another time. I have to go, otherwise I'll be late!" I took a quick peak at my phone screen. "Shit! I'm already late!" Kathy laughed and shooed me out of her appartement. I ran out of the complex, looking back to wave at her. She was leaning out of the window and waved back. She had a thoughtful look on her face as she studied me, hurrying off.

"Hey, gorgeous!" "Sorry, I'm late.", I panted "I was at my neighbours, we talked too long." Nate laughed and pulled me in for a close hug. I hid my face in his chest, taking in the scent. It smelled wonderful, somehow familiar. I felt him press his lips onto my short hair. I felt hot. We pulled away. When he looked at my face, he raised an eyebrow. "What?", I backed away, trying to get my phone out to see if my make-up had been smeared or anything like that. "Your cheeks are pink.", Nate laughed quietly. I stared at him a bit dumbfolded. Then my ears turned red. I could feel them heating up. I quickly covered them and turned away. "Aaah, don't look! You make it worse!", I screetched. He laughed again and hugged me from behind. "Don't worry, it looks really cute."