In Her Dreams

is happy with me, but I sense—”
“That she is totally independent in her world?”
I nod.
Jerrek sighs, stretching his arms behind his head and leaning back. I can tell he’s nervous by how often he changes positions. “It’s just a complicated situation, at least in her mind.” He shrugs. “I personally don’t get why she thinks it’s something she has to hide.”
“And you won’t tell me?” I pin Jerrek with a glare, and he tries to look innocent but fails.
“Reve,” Jerrek says. “For the Great Connector’s sake, don’t ask me.”
But I simply keep looking at him, eyes narrowed. “What is it?” I’m getting nervous now, wondering what it is my dream mate is keeping from me.
“Is there another man around, manipulating her?” I ask. “Telling her not to get into a relationship while pretending not to be interested?”
“I told you it’s not like that,” Jerrek says. “Damn, and I thought I was the jealous one. You’ve completely changed since meeting your dream mate.”
I nod. “It’s easy to stay calm until you’re face to face with your true love, realizing how much they can hurt you.” I put a hand up to my chin. “But mostly, I’m worried she’s in danger whether she knows it or not. Human men are conniving.”
“This one isn’t,” Jerrek says. “Or if he is, he truly is trying to protect Jen.”
My eyes narrow. “Who could this man be, then?”
But Jerrek looks away from me, expression stubborn. “One day, you will have to see for yourself. But I’m not betraying the trust of your dream mate. You are my closest friend, along with Lorien, and I do not wish for the woman you love most to be angry with me.”
I let out a sigh, seeing the tension in Jerrek’s body. Then I walk over to him and pull him up into a hug.
As we hold each other and bond, I feel things return to normal between us.
“I’m sorry for pressuring you, brother.” Though not related, Jerrek has been a true brother to me.
“It’s all right,” Jerrek says, rubbing a hand over my back as we stay locked in an embrace. “I’m sorry you are struggling with your dream mate.”
We pull apart, and he puts a hand on my shoulder.
“Lorien and I are here to help you, and Jen is a wonderful woman. I promise your mate pursuit will go well.”
I sigh, patting his hand, feeling our bond restore to normal. I truly do love my friends. “I hope you’re right, my friend.” I pull away from him to go look over the edge of the clouds at the human sun still high in the sky.
We’re in a temporary dream realm, but it simulates the time of the human world.
I just want the sun to set and night to fall so I can go see my dream mate again.
I look back at Jerrek. “I truly hope you’re right.”
* * *Jen
“We’re out of peanut butter again,” Joey says, looking at the jar disappointedly before setting it back in the fridge.
With the slumped posture only a ten-year-old can manage, he stomps his way over to the counter and sits on a stool. “What am I going to take for lunch today?”
I give him a smile, never wanting him to see how hard things are, as I walk to the pantry to search for more peanut butter.
I try to stay up on the shopping—I really do—but I’ve had to take on extra hours at work since Mark was late with child support, and—
“Dad didn’t pay again, did he?” Joey asks, and his brown eyes, so like mine, fill with anger.
I try to keep it from him, how uncaring his father is. How little he contributes or cares.
Joey probably can tell since his dad cancels every one of their visitation sessions.
Does he see the relief in my eyes every time a session is canceled? Every time I get to keep Joey with me?
I don’t see peanut butter in the pantry, so I rummage in my purse for money for a school lunch and hand it over to him, giving him a hug at the same time.
As I pull back, he looks down at the money in his hands. “Are you sure?”
It’s sheer physical pain, knowing he knows the trouble we’re in.
If the car didn’t keep dying, needing repairs and tows…
“I’m sure,” I say, folding his hand over the money. “I’m on a diet anyway.”
He just shakes his head. “You don’t need a diet, Mom. You’re fine.”
I nod just to get out of the conversation and hurry him to the front door. “It’s fine, honey. I’ll watch you until the bus comes, okay?”
Joey nods at me, and it’s haunting seeing the edges of the man this little boy will become.
He’s in fifth grade now, already growing so fast.
He’s my reason for living. Knowing he needs me gives me the strength to get through each day at my demanding job as a CNA.
I laugh, thinking of what Reve would do if he knew about everything.
Probably try to poof me a bunch of money so I never needed to work again. Probably try to protect me from anyone and everything.
Or maybe not… after he meets Joey.
I can only assume a man who has waited a thousand years would be pretty disappointed to see that I have a life without him.
And no matter what, Joey will always come first before any man in my life.
Joey is so scarred from the few years he remembers me being with his father that he said he doesn’t want me to date again.
And even though I know Reve is mostly harmless, I want to keep my promise to my son, so Reve and I only meet in dreams.
Even though it would be nice to have someone to help me sometimes. Someone to show Joey how to be a man in this difficult world.
The thing is I’m not sure an immortal fairy is the right person for that.
My heart aches just thinking about Reve, and I watch Joey run along