Wake Up
Lying on a bed soft as clouds, I was hugging a thick blanket around me. I didn’t want to move nor did I feel like opening my eyes. I was disconnected from all earthly burdens, yet somehow unsure. “Am I home?” I thought to myself visualizing my bedroom around me. A car rumbled by the window, the sound of which somehow weirded me out. Raindrops were falling against the glass between us. It had been raining since yesterday.
Lying there in bed started to get less comfortable. My body started to clinch together like every muscle in my body was somehow shrinking. I started to notice the pain in my eyes and wasn’t able to breathe. My head was getting hotter, it felt like something was trying to crush it. Finally, tears broke free from my eyes and I started sobbing. I knew my aunt would probably hear me, but I still wanted to believe I was home.
She knocked at the door and asked softly, “Marilyn? Are you awake?” I said nothing, but struggled to calm myself. “Are you alright?” she wanted to know. There is no reason for me not to be alright, I tried to tell myself. She continued, “May I come in?” I hesitated for a moment.
I rolled on my back and opened my eyes. In front of me, I could see the roof of my aunt’s guestroom. No, that's wrong, it was my room. I tried to wipe away my tears and answered her in a broken voice, “Yes.”
