Chapter 4

Sometime just before dawn I dreamed about the crash. The dream was like an endless loop replaying the car's impact with the truck. Over and over I watched, helpless, as the produce truck slammed into my Toyota. Each time it was like the film was rewound and restarted. Eventually I caught myself fighting with the covers trying to avoid that impact. I must have been thrashing in real life because my new mother was suddenly holding me tightly in her arms, talking soothingly and stroking my hair and back.

When I was awake enough to know it was a dream, I grabbed hold of her and let myself be comforted. Eventually her ministrations worked their magic and I apologized for waking her. Mom continued to hold me. "Brian. What were you dreaming, just now?"

"It was the crash," I said. "The truck kept crashing into me. Again and again and again. I tried to get out of the way but nothing worked. The truck just kept running into me. Sorry that I spoiled your sleep."

"Nothing to be sorry about. It was awful and you must still be traumatized by it, especially with the pain from your bruises. That probably is what triggered your nightmares. Every time you move, you groaned from the pain and it must have over flowed into your dreams.

Let's try to relax and see if we can fall back to sleep. I'll stay awake awhile, in case the dream comes back. You sleep."

"I'm fine, mom. I really am fine. Please don't let my wimpy-ness ruin your night. I'm a big boy and will be OK. I love you, though."

She reached for my face and kissed me, gently. Her touch was electric and I knew I was going to have to keep tight control, or I would be making serious moves on her, any second. Rudely awakened from a sound sleep, her hair sweeping across her forehead and looking like she has just awakened, there was a loveliness about her that captivated me.

Lying there, I contemplated my new mother. She had this clean and sweet beauty about her that separated her from almost any woman I had ever met. The best word I could find to describe her was, "CLASSY." She just exuded class. I felt such a strong attraction that I couldn't stop thinking about her and fall asleep. She haunted my mind and I imagined all kinds of scenarios where we fell in love, had lots great sex and lived happily ever after.

Being evicted from my miserable life and landing in this teenager's body was like winning the lottery. I went from lonely and alone, to loved and cared for by a gorgeous, sweet and loving woman. How could it get any better? Well. I could think of a few ways it could get a whole lot better, fast, but I knew that now was not the time. That worked and I drifted off to sleep about an hour later.

Morning came and we lolled around a while, talking and being lazy. It was fun. I don't think I did that very often, if at all, in my marriage. We were on the go people. When it was time to get up and go, we got up and went. This was a wonderful change from the rut of my former life.

Beth Ann poked me in the chest and asked what I was making her for breakfast, then was stunned when I tossed back the covers and said, "You lie here and I will surprise you." I'm not sure she believed me but, to her credit she let me try and shock her.

One thing I knew how to do was cook. Being a bachelor before and after my marriage had me able to do a lot of domestic things that men don't do well. Beth Ann, my new mother was about to discover out how much of a help I could be, around the house.

I rummaged around through the cabinets, shelves and drawers in the kitchen. It seemed we had all the basics from shopping yesterday, so I whipped up a couple of bacon and cheese omelets, wheat toast, orange juice, fresh melon and some strawberries in cream. Beth Ann was suitably impressed but afraid to see what havoc I wrought in her new kitchen. She was going to be surprised at how neat and clean I left things and I hoped that would win me some brownie points as I tried to fit into this new life.

Chapter 5 »