22. Alarm Clock Dream

The earth billowed under my feet. I reached out instinctively, my arms flying wildly as they tried to hold on. I managed to keep balance as the earth rolled passed me. I turned around to watch the barren landscape rise into the air like water. Another wave of earth caught me by surprise. I fell hard on my knees. Trying to push myself up, my hand slipped and I fell face first. Citrus invaded my nose and throat. Coughing I pulled myself up and looked around. The ground was littered with oranges. I picked one up. It’s surface a deep blue hue. I pushed my nail into its thick, rubbery surface. It resisted, I tried another spot but it was impossible to peel the skin.

The ground billowed again and oranges flew through the air. I clenched my face as two flew at me. After a moment with out impact, I opened my eyes. The oranges hung, frozen in the air. I reached out and grabbed another orange. This one had a dark pink hue. It giggled as I attempted to peel it. I turned it around expecting to find a face; instead it changed to a violet color. The suspended oranges started to rain down, each one hitting the earth with a soft clank, as if the oranges had skin of stone. More and more oranges fell. Together they created a deafening sizzle sound. I noticed how incredibly thirsty I was. I tried biting into the orange but it was like biting into a rubber ball. The earth’s rolling intensified, I couldn’t keep my feet on the ground. I fell upward, the orange floating along with me. They laughed like little girls.

I hit the ground face first. Darkness surrounded me, long plastic fibers filled my mouth, the unmistakeable taste of carpet. I pushed myself up and light clawed at my eyes. The giggling came from behind me. I shielded my eyes and made out the outline of a small child. She giggled.

“Wakey wakey Uncle Chris.” She said jumping off the air mattress and next to me on the floor. “Momma said to wake you up for breakfast.”

I rolled on my back. The familiar shapes of the room came into focus. “Did she tell you to jump on the bed?”

“Yes.”

I laughed. Sitting up my knee ached. I rubbed it. “Did you jump on me?”

“Sorry uncle Chris. I didn’t mean too.” She ran to the stairs. “Momma says breakfast is ready.”

I took a deep whiff. Bacon, eggs, and fresh squeezed orange juice. I love staying with my sister.

© Chris Richards 2009