Chapter 7

I woke slowly, sporting wood, along with feeling aroused, mind clinging to an erotic dream. The images lingered, explicit, all of them involving Donna. My body ached with longing, the lingering sensations seeming real. I was unable to stir, slightly aroused, floating in delicious, unfamiliar contentment.

Another night passed without my thrashing to consciousness. The previous years, I’d wake dripping with sweat, fleeing another night terror. Events the previous day still felt surreal, but they no longer had the flavour of delusion or hallucination. Down deep, I knew that Donna had worked some inexplicable magic. Memory of her sweet, soft kisses remained fresh.

A cool spring breeze moved curtains. Small songbirds warbled beyond window screens. Bees and hummingbirds were busy in one of the lilac shrubs just outside my bedroom. Dimly at first, I sniffed the aroma of frying bacon, then caught the smell of fresh ground coffee. Through the open bedroom door, sounds were coming from the kitchen. One was the familiar gurgling of my electric coffee maker. The other was a melodic, ethereal humming. Thoughts were jolted to full awareness, though some part of me denied what senses were reporting. I didn’t think it possible that Donna could be making breakfast. An image of her helping to put away groceries flashed back. Almost afraid to believe the possibility, I shook off any languor. Those smells were too convincing. Down deep, I knew she was still here. I stretched out kinks, then remembered I hadn’t taken my pills. Anti-inflammatory and cholesterol statin, metoprolol and pain killers were all there on the dresser. I ignored everything but the mandatory baby aspirin and metoprolol.

Another surprise, none of my old wounds were hurting. A quick check with an electronic wrist cuff showed my blood pressure was normal. I hurried across the hall, ducking into the bathroom to make my bladder gladder, stripped off the T-shirt and had a quick shower. Wrapped in a towel, I returned to the bedroom, pulled on clean socks, briefs and T-shirt, then yesterday’s jeans and my new cowboy boots.

I hesitated at the door, listening and inhaling aromas. To the right of my bedroom, a short hall led to the southeast corner room I used for a ham shack. Opposite, in the northeast corner was an empty bedroom I planned to set up in the off chance one of my siblings came for a visit. To my left, past the linen closet, the hall opened into the kitchen. A mud room off the kitchen led to the back door. Except for hall and foyer, the west end was almost all living room, complete with the new bay windows, southern exposure and a large, native stone fireplace. Donna was there, material, standing at the gas range. Except for the addition of an apron, she looked as she had appeared the previous day. Her denim shirt, tight jeans and scuffed boots were identical. She seemed to glow, but even with morning light streaming through the kitchen window, there was no transparency or translucence about her. long, lovely caramel blonde hair still clipped in a ponytail spilled down to her shapely rear. For all intents, she looked very domestic, flipping bacon in a cast iron pan.

Without glancing back, her chipper thoughts washed through me.:Grab a coffee, sit and relax.:

Despite impossibilities, the novelty was amusing. I chuckled, took down a mug, almost filling it with dark French roast. At the fridge, I added a splash of heavy cream. While I did all that, she moved to a bowl and cracked two eggs. She beat them, adding a bit of water, salt and spices. After settling at the table, I sipped the brew, watching her carefully.

“How can you be doing all this? I mean, it’s like you’re physically here. Must take a lot of energy?”

She glanced over a shoulder, giving a saucy wink. For an instant, she concentrated, then said aloud, “yes, a lot of energy and focus. Yesterday brought us more into resonance. Going to bed with you helped. I’m recharged with energy to spare.”

“You ... slept with me last night?” I said, puzzling, recalling her fragrance on pillows and those sweet, quick kisses.

“I don’t actually sleep,” she replied, cheeks taking on a blush, then she admitted, “I kind of slid into bed and snuggled with you all night.” her gorgeous smile flashed, then wavered uncertainly, “Hope you don’t mind? I mean, it was kind of bold, but Being in contact with you all night ... well it caused something I’ve never experienced before.”

Though startled, even a bit shocked, I still caught the look of entreaty in those big emerald eyes. “You snuggled?” I said slowly, taking a sip of coffee, carefully studying her over the rim of my mug. “I didn’t feel any chill.”

:Before kissing you, I made adjustments,: she thought-spoke with an edge of uncertainty, then blushed again, turning back to the frying pan.:I was experimenting.: Still concentrating on her cooking, she let out an audible sigh, saying quietly, “I like you ... a lot, Daniel. Your energy ... has a special flavor. I love the beautiful glow of your aura.” She paused, shaking her head, ponytail waving as she turned back to me. This time, her features were serious. Her eyes caught and held mine. Her lips moved, forming audible words that echoed telepathically... “Weeks ago, I started to fall in love with you. And, before you go telling me it’s just a teenage crush, remember, I’ve had fifteen years of maturing in this alternate existence!”

“Whoa there girl!” Shaken, I put down my coffee mug and held up a hand. “That’s a bit sudden. Give me time. I just met you yesterday. Let me digest this. I can’t even comprehend you caring about me. Kind of Hard for an ugly old fart to grasp. I’m messed up inside and out.” I drew a breath, adding, “you still haven’t told me what happened.” She quit speaking aloud, her thoughts washing through my mind with clipped emphasis.

:Stop!: She held up a hand. “At forty-two, you aren’t all that old! I see beyond the scars. You aren’t ugly!: She turned back to the stove.:When I kissed you, it was magic. Gave me a completely different kind of boost. I had to go away for a while just to consider everything. Then, I came back and you were asleep.: She blushed again. “After you fall asleep, your aura shifts colour and shrinks. Over the past few months, I’ve been soothing edges off your dreams, but never thought of actually merging with you. Last night I adjusted my energy, passed through the covers and let myself ... ah ... sort of ... melt into you. The energy just kept building ... some kind of feedback effect.: