In A Time And Place

Chapter 9

               No. No way. I… I didn’t. Did I? I did?! I-I fell asleep!

               I sat up and looked around. It was daytime! I had fallen asleep! I could kick something. I sighed. I knew this was going to be hard but, I didn’t even meditate for that long. Was it supposed to be this boring?

               I wondered. Would it be worthless to try again? Maybe I did something wrong. Am I allowed to sit any way I want? I started with that one crossed leg position but then ended up on my stomach. Tina must be worried sick.

               I didn’t want to waste time. But I’ve already wasted a day. I got up and went out the door and down the hall, then journeyed down the ugly carpet stairs. The jerk at the desk yesterday immediately stared at my vintage gown and I felt totally exposed of all my efforts till now. My hair probably still looked good though.

               “Could I borrow the phone please?” I didn’t know Minnie’s number by heart, or her company number, but I was going to ask for a phone book.

               I looked up the name of her job and dialed the number. A strange voice answered and I asked to be transferred to Minnie. Soon, she was on the other end.

               “Hello?”

               “Minnie?” I sighed. “I fell asleep.”

               “Asleep?” She made a ‘hmmmm’ sound then responded further. “Wait there. I’ll be over soon.” I thanked her and she hung up. I wish I had my modern clothes. They weren’t as nice as this nightgown but at least I didn’t feel odd.

               I sat at the small waiting area until I saw Minnie approaching the doors. I leapt to my feet and walked over to her.

               “Alison, are you all right?”

               “I-I guess.”

               She handed me some modern clothes and I took them, grateful. We went into the public girl bathroom and I slipped on the clothes in a stall. She held onto the night gown and I soon came out in loose jeans and a loose plain white shirt. Obviously hers.

               “Now, you tell me you fell asleep?”

               We started to walk out of the bathroom and she put the nightgown in her big bag. I inhaled. “Yes. I totally fell asleep. I think maybe, 30 minutes after I started.”

               “Well, maybe it’s a good thing. You need rest before you try to do this stunt. And you didn’t get any rest earlier. Did you?”

               I thought about staying out all night. “No.” I said shamefully.

               “Well then. Come on. You need to be healthy, so let’s go.”

               “Ok.” I still felt, really upset. Minnie had a way of making it feel like a good thing though. I don’t know if I was just falling for a trick or was still a child feeling comforted by grown up words.

               I let the sun rays shine down on me at the small breakfast café we were at. Minnie was eating Madeline’s and I was sipping on some tea.

               “Don’t be so depressed now. It’ll all play out fine. After this I suggest you start right back.”

               “But, what if I screw it all up again?” I felt pathetic.