In my Dreams

by Alishia Tepper

  CHAPTER 14

  Ramsey arrived at Sidney’s house, but Sidney had fallen asleep. She suddenly woke up when the car came to a halt in her driveway.

  “Thanks for Dinner,” she said.

  Ramsey flashed her a smile she could see from across a crowded room. “You're welcome, we have to get out more, and it was fun, well, until you went into your little world for 10 minutes.” Sidney felt her face get red as she looked down at the floor. She then lifted her head up.

  “I am sorry about that Ramsey,” Sidney said feeling horrible.

  Ramsey interrupted her apology. “It is ok Sidney; really, let’s get you in the house. I want to make sure you get in ok.” Sidney thought that was sweet.

  Ramsey got out of the car and went around to Open Sidney’s door. Sidney went to stand up, her legs seemed to give out, and she fell right into Ramsey’s arms. Whoa Sid! I got you; Ramsey said as he lifted her up off her feet to carry her.

  Sidney felt embarrassed. Ramsey, I am ok, actually I think my legs just fell asleep, Sidney said back to Ramsey. No just let me put you to bed. Sidney’s face got red and then she just gave in. She handed him the keys as she rested her head on his chest, not wanting to look up at him and make things awkward, but then for some reason she looked up; she couldn’t resist. At that same moment, Ramsey looked down at her and smiled.

  “You are kind of strong; you know that?” Sidney asked.

  Ramsey just chuckled. Thanks, Ramsey snapped back. Ramsey got the door opened and made his way in with Sidney in hand. “Which Direction is your room…? WOW, this is a beautiful place Sid.”

  “Thanks,” Sidney smiled and replied; the bedroom is to the left. Ramsey finally makes his way to her room.

  “I really could have just walked in Ramsey,” Sidney shouted as he continued down the hallway to her bedroom.

  Ramsey gave her a sly smirk, “what kind of man would if I didn’t make sure you get to bed ok.”

  Sidney’s face got an even brighter shade of red. Ramsey finally found his way to the room and laid her down, took her shoes off and put her on the bed covering her with the blanket. Sidney closed her eyes and snuggled in hoping something would happen that would lead him to stay.

  After Ramsey tucked her into bed, he then squatted down next to the bed, “Are you going to be ok now Sid?”

  She opened her eyes and saw him gazing at her in a way no man has ever done. It was almost as he was looking straight through her and right into her soul. Gazing into his eyes, she wanted to kiss him.

  “You are a true Gentleman, Ramsey Edwards,” Sidney said.

  Ramsey then cleared the hair from her forehead, planted the sweetest of kisses upon her forehead, and with that kiss the last thing Sidney heard was, “Sweet dreams Sid,” and she fell fast asleep.

  The next morning, Sidney woke up to a noise that she wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but she got up and realized she was still fully dressed from last night. She threw her robe on and went to check on the noise… As she snuck down the hallway, she was afraid of what she was going to find. When she reached the end of the hallway, she was relieved to see Payge standing in her refrigerator scavenging for food.

  “Hey, girl how’s it going? Long night, huh?” She said to her with a smile on her face.

  “What makes you think that?” Sidney asked.

  “Well, the half-naked man I found on your couch about 30 minutes ago,” replied Payge.

  Sidney quickly interrupted... “WHOA! Half-naked man? On my couch?” Sidney’s head was still scrambled and last night was a bit of a blur. I didn’t think I had that much to drink, she thought to herself.

  “Yea, tall, well-toned, blue eyes,” said Payge.

  Sidney let out a little gas “Ramsey,” she thought.

  “You a bad girl” Payge said with a sly tone to her voice.

  “No, it is not what you think. He brought me home and put me to bed because you know I don’t do well with alcohol,” Sidney said, trying to calm down any notions Payge had in her silly head.

  Payge looked at Sidney, “Oh, come on give me the juicy details.”

  “That is just it Payge, there are no details. He put me to bed and must have crashed on my couch.

  Payge said, “Oh, but he left you the sweetest note.”

  Sidney popped out of her chair. “Where? She exclaimed!”

  “Here, on the counter,” Payge said.

  Sidney jumped up and grabbed the note, she then looked back at Payge, “Did you read it?” Of course, she did Sidney thought, as she gave her a dirty look, which was mimicked, and given right back to her. Sidney then looked down and started reading the note Ramsey left her.

  Sid,

  I crashed at your house after I put you to bed because I was a lot more tired than I realized as well. I hope I didn’t intrude too much. I fixed and left everything, as it was when I got there. Moreover, sorry if I scared your friend I didn’t realize you were expecting company. I was going to say goodbye, but I was caught off guard so I figured I would talk to you later, Since we never got to talk last night but don’t beat yourself up about it, I will make sure to talk to you soon. I won’t be in the office when you get in this afternoon, but I promise to be there when you make your cold calls tonight. I had a great time last night can’t wait to talk to you later. Hope you slept well See you soon

  Ramsey.

  Sidney could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach and got a smile that lite up the entire room.

  “I think he likes you, Sid.” Said Payge.

  Sidney almost forgot Payge was there. “Oh, Payge you think any man, who is kind to a woman automatically means he wants her. He is a complete gentleman.” Sidney assured her.

  “Yeah… So what time do you go in today?” Payge inquired.

  Sidney looked at the clock, “12:30 pm,” she said.

  “Well, great. You have a few hours to catch up,” just then the coffee maker dinged, signaling it was done.

  “Bring on the coffee,” Sidney told Payge. Payge was so excited that she made them both cups, sat on the couch, and began talking to Payge about the new man in her life and how they have a hope of getting a new puppy.

  Sidney in a way was jealous because she wanted a relationship to brag about, but all she had were her fantasies.

  Sidney had been so caught up with work today she almost forgot that Ramsey was out all day. Mr. Brodie had her putting up new signage around the store, cleaning things up, and dealing with people who came into the store. Sidney had eaten lunch with Payge before coming into work, so she didn’t need a break today. She worked all throughout the afternoon; it was a pretty calm and relaxed day. It came time to start making her cold calls for her delinquent accounts she looked around and thought to herself.

  Ramsey said he would be back by now I wonder if they were caught up on the road again. Sidney began making her calls and luckily, tonight there were not many. She had finished up and as she gathered, her things to get ready to go Mr. Brodie had called her into his office. Sidney went in wondering what she had forgotten to do.

  “Yes, Mr. Brodie?” she asked, staring at him sitting at his desk with a bag of candy like always.

  “Sidney, for the next few days I would like you and Ramsey to go out on the road together.” He stated.

  Her heart skipped a beat. “Is there a problem Mr. Brody,” she asked.

  He continued, “Yes, there is! Ramsey and Steve don’t seem to have the connect you to do out on the road and it takes them entirely too long to get things done so from now on Ramsey is your permanent partner.”

  Sidney smiled. “Ok Mr. Brodie, anything else. Yes, he said I would also like you two to clean up the offices tomorrow and come up with a plan on how we can improve the number of delinquent accounts. They seem to pile up more this time of year, so we need a strategy on how to handle this.” He continued, “Tomorrow, you and Ramsey will be out on the road all day so while you're out trying to think of some ideas for your delinquent accounts. You and Rams
ey work very well together so I am sure you can come up with something. Sidney was still smiling while Mr. Brodie talked and he gave her a squinted look, “There isn’t anything going on between you two, is there?”

  “No Mr. Brodie, nothing like that. We're just friends; that is all.” She quickly replied.

  “Ok, I would hate to have to find out that you are breaking the no fraternizing rule. Mr. Brodie said.

  The smile left Sidney’s face, and she just wanted to go home. She knew the rules all too well and didn’t like being reminded of them, especially that one. Sidney then got up to leave. “Good night Mr. Brodie.”

  “Goodnight Sidney,” he said not looking at her; he was glancing at his computer screen. Sidney left the building wanting to cry; she hated having these feelings for someone that she knew she couldn’t act on unless she wanted to lose her job. Sidney made it to her car and just as she was looking for her keys, she heard it; a voice she had been looking forward to hearing all day.

  “Hey Sidney!”

  “Sammy! I was wondering what you have been up to?” As she gave her sister a big hug, “Where have you been hiding?” She asked her sister whom she hadn’t spoken to in since she moved into her new apartment.

  “Nowhere. Just working and getting ready for my big promotion, it only took six months to give it to me, but I shouldn’t complain at least I am getting it,” Sammy said. “I figured I would stop by to see you since I have been getting weird vibes lately.

  “Sorry about that,” Sidney said. “It had been a rough few weeks.”

  “I know,” said Sammy, looking worried at Sidney.

  “Well, let’s get to the house. We can catch up,” Sidney said as they got into their cars and drove off. When she got home someone was sitting on her stairs for a minute she got excited thinking maybe it was Ramsey.

  She hadn’t seen him all day, and it'd be good to at least say hello. As she got closer, she realized that it is not Ramsey… It was John, her Ex-boyfriend. Sidney looked puzzled. How did he find out where I lived? What is he doing here and the questions didn’t stop there he was sitting there waiting for her with flowers and she wasn’t too thrilled to see him. Sammy and Sidney both got out of their cars and looked at each other. Sammy thought what is he doing here as she looked at Sidney, Sidney shrugged back at her. I don’t know.

  John then walks over to Sidney and hands her a dozen flowers they were red and yellow tulips, which he knew were her favorite. “Hi Sidney.”

  The sound of his voice was almost like nails on a chalkboard.

  “What are you doing here John?” She asked him sternly.

  John looked at her. Look Sidney, I know you are a little confused right now, but I just wanted to talk to you. “I miss you, and I think our break up was a huge mistake.” Sammy piped in. Well, she doesn’t want to speak to you Johnny boy; you had your chance and blew it so hit the bricks.

  “Sammy!” Sidney scolded, Sammy was always protective of her sister and her love life.

  John looked at Sammy... “Oh hell, Sam, he said with an unsavory tone to his voice. John and Sammy never got along because Sammy was always putting the seeds of doubt about their relationship in Sidney's head.

  John looked at Sammy and gave her a back off look. “Sidney, listen, just talk to me, please. I still love you,” Sidney looked puzzled. She did miss John, you can’t forget about two years like it never happened, but she was no longer in love with him she had been working so much that she had almost completely forgotten about him until now.

  “Look, John, I can’t talk to you tonight,” she said.

  Before she could say anything else, John interrupted her, “Let me take you to lunch, please.”

  Sidney thought about it and said, “fine, we can go to lunch tomorrow if that suits you,” she stated in a worrisome tone. “I go to lunch around 1 pm tomorrow, Sidney told him that just so that he would leave.”

  “Excellent!” Exclaimed John, as he tried to go in for a kiss and at the last minute, Sidney turned her face so that he kissed her cheek.

  “Well, ok I will see you tomorrow then John,” she said excitedly as he hopped back in his car and drove off.

  Sammy looked at Sidney, “What is wrong with you! Do you not remember how miserable you were? How horrible he made you feel about wanting a career instead of spending every waking moment with him?” Sammy exclaimed as they began to walk into the house.

  Sidney looked back at Sammy.“It’s one lunch date, I didn’t say anything about getting back together with him Sammy,” Sidney assured her. After her talk last night with Payge, she realizes how lonely her existence was. However, she wasn’t desperate enough to just jump back into any relationship with anyone. Sammy and Sidney talked all night while sitting in Sidney’s bed eating snacks and watching late night TV. It’s getting late. I think I will just crash here, Sammy said to Sidney, yea, that’s cool, but I have to work in the morning, Sammy was already starting to fall asleep, Sidney laid there thinking about what had happened a few hours earlier with John not knowing what to think and just as she began to doze off, she got a text. When Sidney looked at her alarm clock, it was 3:45am. Who is texting me it better not be gone as she raised the phone to consider it a huge smile came across her face.

  CHAPTER 15

  Sidney woke up still smiling from the text she received last night. She looked at her phone, re-reading the message from Ramsey.

  Hey, I thought about you all day today, the road was dull without you, but I have so much to tell you about my adventures with Steve. See you in the office in the morning.

  Sidney rushed to get ready for work that morning. By the time she was dressed, Sammy had made them breakfast. This gave them time so that they could chat a little more before they parted ways. Sidney arrived at work in a good mood. She had done a once over in her car mirror before she walked into the building. As she walked in the store, she noticed it was quiet. Sidney opened the door to her office, she saw Ramsey sitting at his desk. Good Morning Ramsey, she said shooting him a smile. He looked up at his computer screen and leaned back in his chair. Good morning Beautiful Ramsey replied. Sidney smiled and tilted her head to the side. Sidney had never had that greeting from anyone before, and she liked the way it sounded coming from his lips. She liked it a lot. Sitting down in her chair, she started straightening up her things. Ramsey then got up to look at the agenda for today and came back with it to the office. Looks like we're in the office until after lunch today, so I guess we can get some paperwork filed and work on these delinquent accounts, Ramsey said

  The morning seemed to fly by. Just then, there was a voice at the counter the interrupted their conversation. She and Ramsey were talking about all the funny things that kept happening on the road yesterday, Just then Sidney recognized the voice, she put her head down in her hands, Oh no she thought, Sidney had forgotten that she had told John he could take her to lunch today. Ramsey looked out into the common area of the building and saw a man standing at the desk. I got this one, he said back to Sidney as he went out to greet the man. Before Sidney could cut him off, Ramsey had made it past her to the front desk. Ramsey started talking to John, Ramsey then looked back and Sidney this time without a smile. Hey Sidney your lunch date is here, Ramsey called to her. Sidney rushed to the front desk. Thank you Ramsey, as he went back into the office.

  Hi John, where are we going? She asked in a lowered tone. Well I figured we could go on over to Grammy’s. I know how much you like it. Sidney did like the small diner, but she hadn’t been there since she broke up with John. She thought it was cute that after almost eight months of being apart, he still remembered little things about her. Let me grab my jacket, she told him as she went back into the office where Ramsey was. Ramsey did not look to be in a good mood. What’s wrong, Ramsey?, Sidney asked Oh nothing, just trying to figure out this one account I am having trouble collecting on Ramsey snapped back to her trying not to let it be heard the disappointment in his voice.

  Ramsey wasn’t too happy t
hat she had a date for lunch. Ramsey then thought whoa why I care who she is having lunch? Why is he getting jealous he thought to himself? No, she was a co-worker and that means she is off limits. Ramsey? Sidney said, trying to snap out of whatever he was thinking, Oh sorry yes Sid. Well, I will be back in an hour have a good lunch, she said to him. In a disappointed tone, he replied yes, you too. Sidney and John had finally gotten their food when John looked up at her, You look beautiful today Sidney, Sidney flashed a little smile, thanks John. “Glad to hear you’re doing well with work.” since that’s all he talked about since they minute he left the electric company. She remembered it was one of the many things she didn’t like about him. He was so self-absorbed, and he would be so caught up with work he would forget about her and her needs as a woman. Well, as I said I wanted to bring you here to talk about us. I miss us, and I know I can make it work this time if you give me a chance, Sidney almost choked on her food.

  Did she hear what she thinks she just heard? Sidney didn’t even have to think about what he had said; she knew he was just giving her lines since it wasn’t the first time she had heard that from John. Sidney didn’t want to give him hope of them having anything between them. John looks I am happy with my life right now. I think I need time to work on getting myself in a good spot before I can think of starting another relationship. John wasn’t thrilled by this response, but I NEED you in my life, Sidney. I am a mess without you John told her. After about 20 minutes of John proclaiming his love for her, she finally said, well, we need to make our way back; I have a lot of work to catch up on. She could see the frustration on John’s face as he John nodded his head and paid the bill, they both got up to get ready to leave the restaurant. When they finally arrived back, Sidney really thought long and hard about it. She decided maybe she should give John another chance. Maybe she was in shock at the restaurant with everything being thrown at her all at once. She began thinking about how she did miss him, and maybe she did still love him, but she also needed to think a little more about this decision before jumping into a relationship again. She kissed his cheek before exiting the car, Thank you for lunch I will get in contact with you soon. Sidney said thinking it would be best if she didn’t make a fast decision right now.