In my Dreams by Courtney Barnes (each kindness read aloud .txt) 📖

was so surprised.

“Thank you; I’ve had a long day. So you picked the perfect time to help out. If you don’t mind, I have a few papers to see to. I’ll come back and help you when I’m done.”

“Mom, I can handle it by myself.” I started cutting the chicken into chunks.

She grinned, kissed me on the forehead and rushed upstairs. “Don’t forget to stir the noodles.” I heard her yell. Funny, very funny.

The smell of garlic floated out of the oven, reminding me that the garlic bread I had put in earlier was almost finished. I opened the door and peered inside. The bread was golden brown. Perfect. I took the pan out before it burned and placed them on a plate.

I had just finished the rest of the dinner, and was setting the table, when I heard the front door open and close.

"Mmm, dinner smells great. Did you make it yourself?" my dad asked from the doorway, looking as surprised as my mom was. Maybe I should start to help out more often, if I shocked them this much.

He walked over and dipped his finger in the sauce that was simmering on top of the stove. “Oh, that’s good.”

“Dad that’s gross there’s a spoon right there.” I pointed to the counter beside the stove. “Will you call Alex and mom, they're both upstairs.”

“Sure I’ll be right back. I can’t wait to eat, that sauce tasted delicious.” He hurried up the stairs.

I had to admit it did smell good. While I mixed the sauce, chicken, and noodles into one large bowl, I heard my family settling down at the table.

“That look’s good honey,” my mother said, when I placed the bowl in the center of the table. I watched them scoop out their dinner before I took my turn.

We were quiet while we ate; the only sounds were the scrapes of silverware and my dad’s yummy noises. “Wow, Sarah this is really good,” he dad said, breaking the silence.

“Thank you. Mom if you want I can cook once a week to help you out.”

She glanced up from her plate, surprised. “Are you sure, you already have work, school and piano, I don’t want to interfere with your homework.”

“I always do it when I get home anyway. I have time after that, and once a week isn’t a big deal.”

She beamed at me. “That would be wonderful, thank you.”

“So what’s with you and Lucas Tate? I saw you eating with him at lunch today,” Alex mumbled with his mouth full. My mom grinned, my dad looked worried.

“Nothing, he called last night and asked if he could use my history notes, so I lent them to him at lunch.” I looked down at my food, hoping that if I didn’t make eye contact they would forget about it.

“So why were you sitting so close and staring into each others eyes?” What the hell was wrong with Alex? Why wouldn’t he let it go? The kid always ignored me, and now he has a sudden interest in my love life. I narrowed my eyes at him, staring daggers in his direction, hoping he’d take my hint and shut up.

He only leaned back in his chair and gave me a lazy smile.

“What’s going on Sarah? If things are getting serious with this boy, I want to meet him.” My father had gone white as he dropped his fork down on his plate with a clang.

“Oh stop it, there is nothing going on. If there were, I wouldn’t be discussing it with all of you.” I spun on my brother. “And Alex, what are you doing watching me at lunch. Mind your own business.” I was yelling, I didn’t know why, but anytime Alex looked at me that way, it made me feel like we were kids again and the urge for an argument was to strong too fight.

“You seem a little defensive honey,” my mom pointed out, absently running her finger along her water glass.

“Well I feel like everyone is ganging up on me, what’s with all the questions?” I admit I was whining and overreacting, but I didn’t care. “I’m finished eating, I’m going to do my homework.” I shoved back in my chair; the wooden legs rubbed against the hardwood floor making my mom cringe, and stomped into the kitchen. After I put my dishes in the dishwasher, I went upstairs.

I was almost finished my homework when my mom knocked on my door, and asked if she could come in.

“Sure, come on in. It’s your house, I can’t stop you.”

She stepped in and shut the door behind her. After walking over; she sat beside me on the bed. “So what’s wrong? You’re rarely grouchy and whiny all in one night.” She put her hand on my leg and slapped it lightly.

I considered confiding in her about what was really bothering me, and I opened my mouth to start, but the words wouldn’t come. So I didn’t say anything, just stared out the window ignoring her, watching the wind blow the pine tree outside my window. A branch scraped the glass with a screech.

She stretched out beside me, the familiar smell of ginger floated in the air. It had been my mother’s favorite perfume since I was a kid. Now, when I smelled it, I always knew she was close by. “I’ve got all night; you’ll feel better after you talk to someone. If you would rather, I could send up your dad.” She gazed up at the ceiling and spoke absently.

I cringed; not in the least bit interested in discussing boys with my dad.

She snorted. “I didn’t think so.”

I lay down beside her, stubbornly remaining silent. After about ten minutes of strained quiet, I started to doubt my decision.

My mother could also be stubborn, and she was telling the truth when she said she’d wait all night. So unless I wanted a bed mate, I needed to tell her something, just to get rid of her. I opened my mouth to lie, but instead, the whole truth came pouring out. I told her about the first dream, and then about the first few awkward conversations with Lucas, and all of them since.

I took a deep breath and began again, lowering my voice to a whisper. “And when I talk to him, I feel like I’ve known him all my life.” I raised my voice again. “Oh and of course there are the dreams; after I saw him without his glasses, I realized it was him and not Logan. I’m having romantic dreams about us, and I don’t know why, and once I saw him dead. Oh, you know that part, you just didn’t know it was him,” I stopped and took another deep breath before whispering, “today, when we sat together at lunch. He talked to me so softly and touched my hand. He left me speechless.”

“Wow,” my mom said, looking as dazed as I felt. “I think you were holding things in for too long. I also think, you have real feelings for him, and you’re scared.” We lay quietly deep in thought.

“I do like him; I wouldn’t even admit it to myself. He is so different than I imagined. I still don’t know him all that well, but I feel like I do.”

My mom was quiet for a moment. “I knew there was something between the two of you, I could feel it. Even, if you didn’t know it yourselves. But I think Lucas knew even then, when we had lunch at his parent’s restaurant. You should have seen the way he looked at you.” I raised my eyebrows as in disbelief. “I’m serious. I know this is new to you, but I’m pretty sure it’s not for him.”

I was completely shocked. I sat up and stared down at her. “Mother, he has never even spoken to me, and he wouldn’t have if I hadn’t bumped into him.”

She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “I am good with reading people. Don’t stress about it, okay? Just enjoy it, first love is amazing, and I’m excited for you. And I will need updates when it progresses, and I say when because I know it will.” She stood up. “You should let your dad meet him, he’s usually a push over, but I think that’s because you’ve never been serious about anybody before. I know it’s too soon to talk like this, but keep it in mind Okay.” She leaned toward me and kissed the top of my head. “I hope getting it out helped. I’ll see you in the morning.” She smiled at me as she closed the door behind her.

After finishing my homework, I went to bed and… dreamt of Lucas. We were lying on a hill talking, when I turned my head, he leaned into kiss me. The dream was so real I could feel his breath on my skin, the tingle on my lips after he pulled away.

I woke up in a very good mood. I had to work after school, so I stuffed my work clothes in my backpack, and hopped in the shower.

I chose my outfit carefully, a silver, tight fitting short sleeve silk blouse and my dark blue skinny jeans. I straightened my hair, which I didn’t normally do, usually just brushed it and hoped it didn’t look too frizzy. I wore makeup as well instead of my usual lip-gloss and eyeliner. When I was satisfied with my reflection in the mirror, I headed downstairs to grab a quick breakfast.

The kitchen smelled of coffee and burnt toast.

“Wow, you look nice Sarah,” my mom said when I walked into the room. “Is there a special occasion?”

“No, I just woke up earlier, so I had more time to get ready.” I popped a grape from the fruit bowl, into my mouth.

She didn’t believe my explanation. “Sure,” she said with a smirk.

“Who are you trying to impress?” Alex appeared in the doorway.

“You, little brother. Do you need a ride to school, or are you going with mom?”

He looked surprised. “I’d rather not go with mom, she gets there too early. But you hate driving me to school.”

I looked at him innocently. “I don’t mind.” Opening the cupboard door, I took out my favorite cereal and poured some in a bowl.

“Thanks,” he said, looking a little skeptical.

My mom smiled at me, and whispered, “You look happy, I hope our talk helped.” I only nodded since my mouth was full of sugar crunchies.

“Well, I’m going to work then. Thanks Sarah for taking your brother,” she called as she