by David Harp
Chapter 8
The Dream
It was the first time Chris swam all the way to Rogers Park without catching a crab. Dan could tell something was bothering him, so he led Chris to an isolated picnic table.
“You’re very quiet today Chris. Are you O.K.?” Dan asked.
“I’ve been accepted to Duke University,” Chris answered.
“That’s great! Their Department of Religious Studies is one of the best in the country so what’s wrong?”
“It’s Haley. She thinks I’m going to the University of Florida. Her aunt Camille has a house in Gainesville and invited her to move there while I’m in school. Haley is already making plans.”
“So why don’t you rent an apartment for her in Durham?” Dan asked. “You have more than enough money with the inheritance from your aunt Leslie.”
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Ms. Leslie Connor wasn’t a relative. She was Chris’s godmother. With no family or children of her own, Ms. Conner treated Chris like her own son. When she died in 1996, her entire estate of nearly one-half million dollars was left in a trust to Chris.
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“Durhan is too far. I could drive Haley home from Gainesville several times a week, but the distance to North Carolina would make it hard on both Haley and her mom. Besides, it would look bad to rent an apartment for my girlfriend while I am majoring in Religious Studies.”
Dan could see Chris was getting tense so he decided to move the conversation along. “What made you decide on Duke?”
Chris looked down, shaking his head as if he couldn’t answer. “It’s hard to explain, just something I have to do.”
“Come on,” Dan said. “You’re talking to me. If you can’t tell your best friend, who can you tell?”
Chris took a deep breath. “I’ve been having mind-blowing dreams. I’m not taking drugs, sniffing paint fumes or anything like that, and doctors have ruled out brain tumor.”
“Man, I’m sorry Chris. I didn’t know, but what does any of this have to do with where you attend college?”
Chris mumbled, “I believe my dreams are messages from God.”
Dan wanted to be supportive, but sat motionless with a blank expression. The only thing he could say was, “Ooooookay.”
Chris continued, “The dreams started after I was struck by lightning. They feel more real than when I’m awake.”
The fact that his dreams started with the lightning strike grabbed Dan’s attention. At last, he thought, somebody else thinks the lightning was more than a freak electrical storm. Dan’s voice went up a full octave, “I had a dream like that on the boat!”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Chris asked.
“I tried, but everyone said it was just my imagination.”
Chris shrugged, conceding he was one of those who tried to downplay the significance of the accident.
“What did you see?” he asked.
“I was an old man,” Dan said, laughing. “I was giving a speech at a big college. You, Steve, Matt, and Brian were famous for creating something called the Four Pillars of the Great Coalescence. Your contribution was called the Treaty of Religious Acceptance.”
Chris’s face turned pale. “That’s impossible! I dreamed the Treaty of Religious Acceptance was the subject of my doctoral dissertation in college.”
“It sounds as if we shared the same dream, but that was the only time it happened to me,” Dan said as he recalled his dream. “Maybe it was because I died at the end.” Dan’s eyes widened, “I sure hope it was a dream. What else did you see?”
Chris’ voice became more subdued. “I have the dreams several times a week. They all start with Haley getting upset because I’ve decided to attend Duke. That must be significant. Then I’m at school with you, Matt, Brian, Steve and Haley.”
“Wait a minute,” Dan cut in, “That doesn’t make sense. How can we be together in school when we’re enrolled at different colleges?”
(Steve was the only other person enrolled at Duke. Matt and Dan were going to Florida, Brian to NC State, and Haley hadn’t applied.)
“Are you saying we are there on a visit?” Dan asked.
“No, I’m saying we are all going to attend the same school, and it gets even weirder. I’ve seen myself as part of a movement which will unite the world’s religions. I know it sounds ridiculous and goes against my beliefs. I couldn’t begin to explain how it’s possible, but I have no doubt it will happen. I’m going to be part of it.”
“You know what’s even stranger than that Chris?” Then Dan answered his own question.
“I believe you.”