| PART 2 Michael and I have been living under the same roof for a few months now. We don’t say much to each other, but I like the company. I like knowing there’s someone here besides me. I think he feels the same way. I’m not as tired at night anymore, because he helps me with the Crashdown. If we are short a cook he takes over. If we are short a server, he takes over as the cashier. He also helps with inventorying the stockroom. I’m content. After I finish showering, I put on my long comfy t-shirt and am about to climb into bed. All of a sudden, I hear a scream coming from down the hall. I grab my robe and rush to Michael’s room. He’s thrashing around screaming in his sleep. I go over to try to wake him up, but flashes and feelings assault me. **Isabel dies in his arm./ Max blames him./He blames himself./ Love for Maria./Feeling of loss for Isabel./ Betrayal from Tess./ Betrayal from Max./ Longing for earth./ Hurt seeing Maria with Kyle./ Sadness for me./** I remember getting flashes from Max during times of intense emotions. Of course, I would experience it from Michael; he's going through an extreme emotion. I wonder if he's getting any from me. I pull away at that thought. I don’t want to give away what I saw, in case he saw something as well. He looks at me searching, but I don’t give anything away. I get up and go to the bathroom to get a wet cloth. I wipe off Michael’s forehead and say, “That must have been one hell of a nightmare. You were screaming and thrashing around. I had to wake you up.” He just nods his head and turns away from me. I ask him if he wants to talk about it, but he refuses. I still feel some of his emotions from that flash. For the first time in a long while, I’m finally worried about someone other than myself. I feel like I should stay and watch him for a while. I don’t want to leave him alone, not after that nightmare. I can tell he's not sleeping by the way he's breathing, but I know from experience how nightmares can affect a person. You feel the loneliest after one. I don’t want to leave him until he falls asleep. I gently rub his back until his breathing finally evens out. I stay for a little while longer and move the hair that is matted down from sweat off his forehead. I softly kiss his forehead and leave. |