Jacob rose after another restless night. His mind had recounted many of the adventures he and Paul had taken over the years. None of the scenes brought him any answers to why Paul was so protective of him. Maybe protective was not the correct work. He felt smothered by Paul.
A quick shower and a cup of coffee, Jacob left the beach house to visit his daughter. “Dad, what are you doing here so early?” Karen asked. “Couldn’t sleep last night and wanted to hear about your dream.”
Karen opened the door wider and watched Jacob as he entered. “Dad, what is going on? Paul called me twice this week about you, and I never hear from him.”
“That is why I am here. Something is going on with Paul, and I think it is all connected to your dream.” “But how, he was not in my dream. Just you at first and then a black woman.”
“Tell me about the dream.” Jacob insisted. “Where was the dream?”
“The dream was happening around the beach house. There was a storm, then the sun came out, and the woman was on the patio. I think I came up to speak to her, but then she walked away, and you followed her. I kept calling you, but you never looked back. Then I woke up upset you never turned around or acknowledged me.”
“Dreams usually point to something. But none of that makes sense. There was a black woman on the beach two days ago. I had the feeling like I knew her. Paul was with me when the woman walked past the beach house. I must have starred too long for Paul because he found her hotel and annoyed her.”
Jacob paced. His daughter watched. “Dad, why don’t you sit.” “Can’t sit, too much energy.” “You are making me nervous. Why don’t you talk to the woman and find out who she is? You said Paul knows her hotel, you could talk with her.”
“Karen, I think the part about the storm is most troubling at the moment. I think my life with Paul has ended after almost fifty years.” “Why would you think?” Karen asked. “Last night I replayed so many of the events in our lives together. I don’t Paul even though I thought I did.”
Karen shook her head. “Not following you, dad.” She said. “Paul has been in our lives all of my life. I know mom did not like him, but she never voiced her opinion.” “How do you know your mother did not like Paul.” “Oh, the looks she gave whenever he came over or when you were going out with him.”
“How did I miss all of that?” Jacob asked. “You did not want to see either of them for who they were.”
Jacob plopped in the comfortable chair by the door. My life has always been a storm waiting to happen.
© 2019 Ivy Jade