There's something relaxing about walking on the beach; the feel of soft, wet sand squishing up between your toes just kind of brings out the kid in you, and when the kid in you is trying to run amuck---well, it's hard to feel bad. Still, I found myself worrying about Wish; we both had a deep need to discuss the paranormal---it was an integral part of us---but talking about those semi-lucid dreams of hers had sent her into tears, the cold sweats, and the shakes. I considered asking her father to hypnotize her so that we could reach through all that anxiety - hopefully - but then what seemed a better idea struck me. Why not just talk to her about it while she slept? Maybe I could even put in something akin to a post-hypnotic suggestion---something that would assure that she'd henceforth be able to discuss those semi-lucid dreams without the anxiety.

Yeah---why not?

At almost exactly three in the morning she started mumbling; I popped awake at the very first mumble. I rolled over carefully, propped my head up on one hand and murmured, "Wish, are you asleep?"

She sighed faintly, and in that distant, breathy, ethereal voice, she murmured, "I'm asleep, but I'm up for a conversation."

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly and carefully. My heart pounded; I began to wonder if I were doing the right thing. But, this was important; I could feel that, loud and clear. "Good. Now, can you tell me about this town you project to in your dreams---preferably without getting upset?"

She sighed deeply, wet her lips, and then in a very low, but firm voice, said, "No."

My heart sank. "Uh---why not?"

There was no change in her expression or her tone. "Because this getting upset is a defense mechanism. It's wrong to talk about the town."

That sounded a little too ominous for comfort. I made another try: "I think you need to talk about this; it'll help you to get it out of your system. I just want to help you...you know that. I hate to see you crying and shaking the way you do when you talk about those dreams."

Her expression and tone both remained unchanged. "You'll understand when you see the town."

There was an utter finality to the way she said it that left me feeling a little numb. And beyond that point, nothing I said would get her to speak again.

I finally gave up, thought, Well, so much for that brilliant notion! Looks like it's going to be necessary to get together with the Professor, and see if he can help out.---rolled over and sank into a dreamless sleep.

The very next night, Wish's unconscious mind showed me what she'd meant about "You'll understand when you see the town."

I'd barely dropped off to sleep with Wish in my arms when I found myself walking down a road hand-in-hand with her. She was in a relaxed and happy mood at that moment; her eyes sparkled in the morning sunshine and there was a contented smile on her lips; everything about her expressed her love for me as we made small talk and strolled along.

Then her mood changed abruptly, and she looked around at the scene we were in sharply; her expression became one of unhappy recognition, and her grip on my hand tightened almost convulsively. Her wedding ring felt reassuringly - and realistically - hard and comforting as I squeezed her hand back in an effort to reassure her that I was there for her.

I looked around myself, wondering what had triggered this sudden change in mood---and a chill began crawling down my back. We were strolling along the shoulder of a highway---one that had never been completed. The asphalt underfoot was old and cracked from weathering and disuse; up just ahead and to the right was a half-finished overpass on-ramp; a loader and a battered old bulldozer, both painted Caterpillar yellow, languished at the foor of the on-ramp, slowly rusting away in the humid summer air.

Realization hit me like a baseball bat to the back of the head: This is the dream Wish described to me! And I'm aware of the fact that I'm dreaming right now! I'm having a lucid dream---without ever having had any training in how to accomplish it!!

Believe me, that was eerie!! I'd no sooner realized what was going on when Wish suddenly turned and threw herself into my arms and began sobbing; "Take me home!"