Dreams, Dreams, Dreams

Page 2

by

Howard M. Fitzcharles III

 As I entered #8 conference room I was a little surprised to see the number of people invited. Even Marketing was here. I couldn’t help thinking to myself as I greeted the people I knew. “What the hell is Marketing doing here? We already got the contract.” It’s probably going to be a long one, as Marketing usually rambles on for hours about absolutely useless information. Our CEO introduced some underling from Marketing and I thought to myself. “At least we will get this BS out of the way first so we can get down to the real project.”

He got out of his seat and walked to the opposite end of the table from the CEO and set his notes on the small podium sitting on the table.  As he rambled on, as I knew he would, his voice slowly faded away as though someone had turned down the volume on a TV.  The next thing I knew I was under that big maple tree talking to that lovely lady with the long blond hair. She was wearing a white pleated skirt, short enough to show she had lovely legs but not a mini skirt or so short not to fit in at a church picnic. Her blouse was not tight but form fitting enough to show she was well proportioned. I’m not a teenager so I know this beauty is what attracts men but real beauty is what is in their mind. That is what holds a man.

 We must have talked for hours and to my surprise I realized none of the conversation included anything about engineering. All of a sudden the picnic was over and I hadn’t even noticed until some one came and wanted to remove the table we were at. Embarrassed about it, I realized I had not asked her name. Awkwardly and fumble worded I asked if I could see her again. She told me her name was Meg but wouldn’t give me her phone number. However, she said she would take mine and call me. I fumbled for my pen and something to write on. I found a business card someone had given me, so I wrote my name and number on the back and gave it to her. I don’t even remember whose card it was.

About then I heard my name being called and I turned to see Phil and Cindy across the lawn waving at me. I turned back to her and she had already turned and was walking away. I wanted to say something but I couldn’t think of anything to say. Then I heard my name again and I realized I was at the meeting and even though my eyes were wide open, the picture of my boss standing at the small podium at the opposite end of the long table from the CEO faded into view like an old TV just turned on.  He was introducing me and I don’t think he even noticed that I really wasn’t there in mind.  I got up a little nervous, not because of giving my presentation.

 This was “Old Hat” to me and I even enjoyed it. It did bother me because I realized I was capable of this dream in a meeting with my eyes wide open. As I got into my presentation the worry and thoughts of the dream faded and I felt like my self again.  I kept busy the rest of the day and even caught myself hurrying at times so that I didn’t have a chance of drifting off again to that other place.  I wished the appointment to see the Dr. was today instead of tomorrow.

I called, but his receptionist said he was booked up. It was lunchtime and some co-workers asked if I wanted to go to lunch with them. I declined just because they were going to a restaurant that had comfortable chairs and I was afraid I would drift off again. Instead I went to a deli near by, that had stand up tables like those in airport terminals.  This is getting out of hand, I thought as I quickly ate a half sub and gulped down a soft drink. I’m afraid to even go to lunch with co-workers now.

The deli was packed and as I swallowed the last bite of my sandwich the sound of all the people slowly faded then the picture and I was back under the maple tree as Phil and Cindy approach.