Chapter 2

I Dream of Animals

Thursday night

I stood on the shore of a lake, or maybe it was a river. The two scenes changed back and forth like channels flipping on TV; lake, river, lake, river. I felt a little dizzy.

Something moved in the water and a beady yellow eye in a darkish, colorless, long and bumpy head looked right at me. Then a large mouth with prominent teeth rose out of the water and flashed a crooked grin. I didn’t realize reptiles, especially this dangerous predator, ever smiled. He came ashore a few feet away and stopped. I crouched down and met the creature eye-to-eye. A claw foot waved me closer. It’s definitely a crocodile. Or wait, maybe an alligator. I didn’t know. Didn’t care.

I have no fear of this alligator. It’s talking to me. At least it looks like he’s talking, but no sounds. Then I realized he’d asked me a question.

“Why haven’t we met before?”

“Why would I want to meet an alligator?” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Hey John, lets break down the barriers, how about calling me Al, just plain Al will do.” He moved a little side-to-side. “It’s most important we meet face-to-face. Soon.”

“OK, let me know when and where.”

“I’ll get back to you on that, still working it out. Just don’t forget. It’s imperative that you come see me. We have lots to talk about. You know, like how the world works, stuff like that.

“In the meantime, put on your dancing shoes and let’s boogie.” His smile came again as did that weird little side step. “Maybe have a few drinks along the way.”

My mind could not process that one.

“OK then, maybe no dancing and drinking.” Now Al looked drowsy, his voice barely heard.

“Look inward; look far inward and see what you see.” He faded completely away.

Somehow I knew those words were important. I wouldn’t forget.

I looked around, no water anywhere. I’m in a desert, just sand and more sand and a short, twisted, dead tree where the alligator had been.

High above, a vulture rode the wind in a lazy, graceful pattern. I watched, relaxed as she drifted downward and landed on a tree limb that was practically in my face. She looked around with an imperative air as if she’s the empress regnant surveying her domain.

“Hey John, whatcha doing there, buddy?” She sang out, as she looked directly into my eyes.

“Hello Madame Vulture, what brings you here today?” Now I’m talking to a bird like it’s someone I know and meet on the street.

“Tsk, John, don’t call me Madame Vulture; call me by my real name.”

“Sure thing, what is your real name?”

“It’s Bird. Remember?”

“Remember what?”

“Oh John, come on, you forgot how we met when you came in? You really don’t remember?”

I remembered nothing, nothing at all.

“Never mind, John, watch for me soon. I’ll show the way for your journey of a lifetime.”

Before I could respond, the vulture, also known as Bird, flew away.

OK, that sounded kinda interesting, but where and when?

A faint, sweet whisper caressed my ears.

“Time passes. And then, it’s suddenly past time.”

 NEXT.....Chapter 3
Daydream