The Dream Jumper's Promise

by Kim Hornsby

  “It’s on my desk.” She nodded in the direction of the shop’s back door. Too many dreams and too few hours of actual sleep had left her feeling only partly in this world. Every night after she woke from dreaming, she’d pace the floor and pore over maps of the coastline, wondering what had happened to Hank’s body. She appreciated Jamey’s concern but it was looking like soon she’d have to let all this hope go.

  Jamey returned, studying the calendar. “There might be a pattern to when you have the cavern dream.” He rubbed his chin. “If there is…” He showed her the paper. “Tonight is a possibility.” He smiled apologetically.

  A momentary tug pulled at her heart. His slightly askew smile was something she’d always found endearing, as well as distracting. He was a handsome man, no doubt about that.

  “I’d like to observe you dreaming tonight,” he continued. “What I’m looking for is a sign that you’re in REM. I want to see if you talk in your sleep, move your legs and arms, that sort of thing. I’ll need to be in the same room as you.”

  “I don’t think I sleep-talk, or even sleepwalk.”

  “I have a theory, but let’s eliminate the talking and walking and make sure you’re in REM.”

  Somehow, his request made her uneasy. “It’s not like you haven’t seen me sleeping before,” she whispered to herself, not making eye contact with him. But this was so intensely personal, letting Jamey into her bedroom while she slept. “I don’t know if I can fall asleep with you in the same room.”

  “You’ve slept with me in the same bed before.” He shrugged.

  Tina’s cheeks warmed.

  “Let’s try.” He seemed indifferent. “And if tonight is another dream night, wouldn’t you want to make the effort?”

  She desperately wanted to put a name to what was happening. “Yes.” She did. “I’ll call when I close the shop and you can come over then.” She gulped at the thought that she’d just asked James Dunn to visit her at bedtime.

  ***

  As she shuffled papers around her desk, the phone rang. Tina’s parents were calling from the first class section of an American Airlines flight on the way to Kahului Airport. “We are getting ready to touch down on Maui in an hour.”

  “What? You’re kidding!” Her heart rate jumped through the roof.

  “Your father and I are coming to Maui to check on you.” Her mother sounded peeved.

  “In an hour?” Tina was not ready to see her parents. It had been over a year since she’d last been to Seattle.

  “We’ll see you at the airport.”

  Tina’s truck sped across the isthmus that joined the two lumps that made up Maui. Pulling into the newly renovated Maui International Airport, she took a deep breath and looked at Obi in the passenger seat. “Wish me luck, boy.”

  Thirty minutes later her parents were driving her nuts and they’d barely been on Maui long enough to sweat. For one thing, her mother failed to mention her father had hired a car. Of course they would prefer the luxury of a chauffeur-driven Lincoln to her pickup truck. Her parents had ridden in her truck only once, and her father had lectured the whole way on why she should’ve bought a Chevrolet instead of a Ford.

  “Do you still have that dog?” Her mother asked shortly after saying hello.

  Tina’s defensive bristles stood at attention. “Yes, I do. He’s my constant companion, Mother, and his name is Obi.”

  “I’m not saying he isn’t and don’t get all huffy with me, young lady. I just asked.”

  It was going to be a long two weeks.

  At baggage claim, Tina searched for their luggage on the carousel then handed the suitcases to their driver, a man who had no idea what kind of verbal abuse he’d have to endure over the next weeks.

  “You can join us for dinner at eight. Father made reservations at The Bay Club for three.” Elizabeth Greene looked sideways at her daughter. “Unless you want to bring the dog to dinner and we’ll change the reservation to four.”

  She and her mother finally shared a smile, but even so, Tina didn’t know if she was mentally ready for the two oddballs she called Mother and Father. She attributed the alienation to their inapproachability. Part of it was that Elizabeth was not born into money and had always been terrified of showing her meager upbringing. Or her real self. Even emotion was taboo, once she’d reinvented herself.

  Raised by her drunken grandmother, Elizabeth Alton needed her life to be orderly, clean, and proper. That’s why she’d set her sights on Philip and his money. After having twins, and then losing one to an accidental drowning, Elizabeth ruled the family like a crazed dictator. Kristina was kept on a short leash. Like a pet. The closest Tina ever got to a childhood pet was a bush in the garden that attracted butterflies. She’d sit and watch them circle the blooms, but when her mother noticed, she had the gardeners remove the bush.

  “Bugs are dirty,” she told her daughter. It took years for Tina to realize that pets weren’t germ-ridden, disease-carrying dirt balls, but sources of unconditional love.

  When the air-conditioned Town Car was packed with the luggage, Elizabeth turned to her daughter. “You are holding up better than I thought.” From her distance of six feet away, Elizabeth Greene was exhibiting her unusual method of mothering. “I’m glad to see that, Kristina.”

  The absence of a hug was painfully noticeable to Tina. Her mother broke away from the moment to enter the limo, Tina hugged her father.

  “She’s tense from the flight,” he explained.

  What little affection Elizabeth had for children had died along with Tina’s twin, Kristoffer.

  Tina nodded and waved them off before heading to her parked truck. She loved her parents, knew they meant well, but it would be fourteen days of steely patience if they were planning on spending much time around her. Maybe they’d leave early if their curiosity was satisfied about her state of well-being. Over the next few days, she’d have to hide the fact that she was holding onto a thin ledge of sanity with the tips of her fingers.

  Cruising along the coastal road, Tina sang along to a Janet Jackson song on the radio. Things were going well at the shop, and she dared to feel confident that the new instructors would work out. Finally, the shop’s problems seemed under control. Pepper and Jamey had done an afternoon charter with the new dive instructor, Shelley. When Tina reached Lahaina and found Pepper unloading tanks from the shop truck, she rubbed her friend’s shoulders. “How’d it go?”

  “Shelley and Jamey got on like a house on fire, if you know what I mean.” Pepper smirked. “Heavy flirting,” she said, with a hint of envy in her eyes.

  “Don’t look like that, Pep. You’re leaving soon anyhow.” Tina couldn’t help the jab.

  In the alley, Shelley asked Jamey if he’d mind showing her the beach dive locations that afternoon and Tina’s brows knit together as she eavesdropped. Pepper put a finger to her shushed lips.

  “I’m not the best resource,” he said, “seeing as I don’t live here. Pepper’s the expert.” Jamey peeked around the corner “Want to show her, Peppie?” he called, fully aware they were eavesdropping. Pepper detested the nickname and Jamey knew it. Tina stifled a laugh. Jamey’s humor was something she’d missed in the last ten years.

  ***

  Pulling his jeep alongside Tina’s truck, Jamey noted that it had been left at an angle, as though she’d been in a hurry. The house was lit up like a Christmas tree in the dark Maui night and music floated outside from the upstairs windows.

  Obi barked from the deck above. Dogs who announced visitors were helpful. Jamey climbed the stairs to the second-floor balcony and met the brindled dog at the top. “Hello, boy. It’s me,” he said, extending his hand for a sniff.

  “Come on in.” Tina called from the kitchen, where she stood holding up a Corona. “Want one?”

  “No, thanks.” Jamey slipped out of his flip flops and opened the screen door. “Whose red truck?”

  “Noble’s. He must’ve gotten a ride to work.” Seeing Jamey’s expression, sh
e explained. “Noble lives in the cottage in the backyard. Hank’s best friend. Didn’t I mention Noble?”

  Jamey watched her search the drawers in the kitchen. “This drink will be my insurance to sleep.” She held up the beer. Reggae music boomed from the living-room speakers, and Tina danced around the kitchen after finding the bottle opener. “Beer, my downfall, I’m afraid. But you already know that.” She flashed a big smile his way, the first one of that intensity and honesty he’d seen since returning to Maui. This version of Tina reminded him of the nights they’d spent at the Hyatt, an empty bottle of wine and a pack of condoms on the nightstand.

  He leaned on the countertop. “How much have you had to drink?”

  “Not a lot.” She stopped. “This is my first beer.” Her voice dropped to an exaggerated whisper. “But I had wine with dinner. It’s just that my parents surprised me by arriving on Maui today and it’s very stressful and horrible and blah blah blah…” She stroked Obi’s back with her foot, balancing precariously and taking a swig of her beer at the same time. “But I’m on medication that makes the effects of alcohol intensify.”

  He reached to grab her arm just before she toppled over.

  “And my parents took me to dinner and all that.”

  “Ah, your parents.” He nodded like he knew the need to escape from parents though his mother died when he was four and he loved his father with a vengeance. “I take it you’re not ready for bed.” Tina laughed. “Ha! In any other situation I would’ve said something really funny about you needing to buy me dinner first, but…” She grabbed his hand and led him to the couch, where he was told to sit.

  She fell over, practically on top of him. “Whoops.” Sliding off, she scooted down the length of the couch. “Sorry.” The colorful throw pillows made a cozy nest and she patted the seat beside her for Obi. “I’m glad you’re here. I appreciate your help.” Her words sounded clipped, like she was making a supreme effort to speak clearly. She laughed at her own drunkenness. “I hate it when I slur. Do I sound slurrish to you?” She looked at Jamey as if she just realized something. “Oh no, did I drink too much? I don’t usually do this but oh, my, God, does it ever feel good to feel this GOOOOD!” She dropped back into the cushions. “Hey, I deserve to have a fun time. I’m a widow, my business is barely surviving, I’m having strange dreams and hallucinations, and my parents are in town trying to convince me to sell the dive shop and move home to Seattle.

  What the hell? I’m going to have a drink…or six.” Tina took a long chug of her beer.

  “They want you to sell the dive business?” Jamey was shocked they didn’t know this was where she belonged.

  She looked at Obi. “I’m a big girl and don’t have to do what they say. Dr. Chan says that I don’t have to spend my life trying to be the perfect child for them just because my brother died.” Tina looked up and shook her head as if to clear it, and then leaned over to kiss her dog. “Oh, Obi. You’d hate Seattle.” This was getting interesting. Tina sighed, her expression turning sad. “It wasn’t my fault— Kristoffer drowning.” She looked off to a corner of the ceiling. “She’d stay in the house when we played in the backyard and in those days pools weren’t fenced or anything. I didn’t even see him fall in, I was so busy playing with my dolls. Tears filled her eyes. “After Kristoffer’s death, I did everything they wanted. For years. Decades. Not now. I can’t. This is where Doc Chan and I draw the line. I’m not going to move to Seattle and marry that boring ex-boyfriend and have 2.5 children. Heck, my eggs are drying up and I’ll be lucky if I have 1.0 children, even if I got married tomorrow.” She sat up straight and looked at him.

  Jamey spoke. “Let’s make sure that you don’t have to move to Seattle if you don’t want to.” He watched her lovingly stroke Obi and remembered when he’d been the recipient of all that attention. Tina had soft hands. Once she’d said “I’m very tactile” as she lightly tickled his lower abdomen with her fingers.

  “Leaving Maui won’t solve anything.” He couldn’t help saying the obvious.

  She didn’t hear him, lost in her own thoughts. “I wanted a baby so badly.” Tina glanced in the bedroom’s direction. “Hank too.”

  Footsteps sounded outside and Tina eyes widened. “Shit. Here comes Noble. I don’t want him to know you’re here, watching me dream and talking and everything.” She stood and seemed to be looking for somewhere to hide. “He’s so fussy about me and I didn’t tell him everything. I’m really trying to avoid him right now.”

  “Tina, it’s okay, we’re old friends.” He motioned for her to sit on the couch and she plunked down.

  Noble’s emotions were evident even before he appeared. Jamey readied himself and watched him appear at the top of the stairs outside. When Noble saw Jamey he froze and took stock of the sight in front of him. He opened the screen door and walked in. This was the person he’d seen on the deck when he drove away with Hank’s wallet. A strange aura surrounded Noble that Jamey interpreted as anger. “What’s up?” He looked collected, but Jamey knew he was mad as hell.

  “Nothing,” Tina said. “Noble, this is my friend Jamey Dunn. And this,” she waved her hand towards the Hawaiian dude in the doorway, “is my beloved rock, Noble.” He was big, up close. “Hi, Noble.” Jamey stood to shake hands but Noble stayed halfway across the room, oozing hatred.

  “Jamey.” His gaze never left Tina.

  She smiled in her tipsy fog, looking between both men. “Are you guys just hanging out, or what?” Noble walked in a few steps.

  Obi sniffed at him, his tail not wagging.

  “Hangin’ and talkin’,” Tina said in a singsongy voice that revealed her level of inebriation. “Come join us.” She sat on the couch and Jamey followed.

  Noble sat on the armrest of the couch beside Tina, his leg brushing hers, and Jamey almost let a laugh escape. He didn’t have to be psychic to understand what Noble was trying to convey. If body language didn’t already say it all, he could almost hear Noble’s territorial growl.

  In a few sentences, Jamey learned that Noble had just finished work at the Hyatt show, Drums of the Pacific. He was a hula dancer.

  “Tina’s favorite show in the islands,” Noble said.

  “How’d it go tonight?” Tina slurred.

  “Good.”

  “Were you a dancer growing up?” Jamey needed to get to the heart of this guy.

  “No.”

  Tina and Noble smiled at each other, and Jamey nodded at them like this was really interesting information. So this was the man in Tina’s life. The one she was excited and confused about. Jamey hoped Noble couldn’t read his thoughts.

  “Jamey is helping out on dives.” Tina grinned. “He’s Katie’s uncle.”

  Noble looked down his nose at Jamey.

  “He’s supposed to be on vacation, but we’ve put him to work.” She gestured to Noble. “Noble was Hank’s best friend.”

  This whole situation was uncomfortable, but it was more than that. It was downright strange. Jamey would have to back off. Noble was probably waiting for her to put Hank to rest before he moved in emotionally. But she’d said she was avoiding him. Looked like he already had moved in physically. How the hell was he going to watch her dream with this guy hanging around?

  The conversation was stilted for far too long before Tina took the last sip of her beer. “Well guys, I’m tired now, so I’m going to bed.” She stood and looked between both men. “Party is over.” She clapped her hands once. “Chop chop. Time to go. Everybody up and out.” She made a swishing motion with her hands, as if to sweep them from her house. Noble seemed to be waiting to see what Jamey was doing, but Jamey wasn’t sure if Tina remembered he was staying.

  Jamey took the lead. “I’ll walk you to your room and see that you actually find your bed.”

  Noble stepped between them. “That’s okay, newcomer. She knows where her bed is.”

  Jamey wasn’t sure how to diffuse this situation, but before he could, Tina stepped in, giggling. “Newcomer! Oh, No
ble. You are too funny.” She play-slapped his chest. “Good night, sweet, noble Noble. Don’t worry about me.” Her words slurred together as she turned to Jamey. “I’ve known Jamey a long, long time—longer than I’ve known either you or Hank. Isn’t that funny new information?” Tina grabbed Jamey. “See?” She stretched up and kissed him full on the lips. Jamey broke off the kiss, gently easing her away.

  Tina didn’t seem to notice. “Jamey is no newcomer. He’s an oldcomer.” She laughed at her joke. “Sweet dreams, Noble.” Tina grabbed Jamey’s hand to lead him to the bedroom. “Noble’s house is out back,” she called over her shoulder.

  He turned to Noble. “We’re old friends. That’s all.” He considered leaving, but he still needed to see her dream if he was going to help her. It was too good an opportunity to waste. “I’m a yell away, Tina.” Noble’s scowl would’ve brought lesser men to their knees.

  “She’s safe with me, man.” Jamey felt like an intruder. Why was Tina avoiding Noble?

  “Goodnight, Noble.” Tina jumped in. “Jamey’s just going to tell me a bedtime story.” She walked to the bedroom and Jamey followed, prepared for the possibility of Noble jumping him from behind.

  Once inside the room, Tina slammed the door shut. “Oops!” she called. “Sorry, Noble!” She fell onto her bed. Face first. And didn’t move. “G’night,” she whispered into the bed.

  Jamey eventually opened the door, but Noble was gone.

  Tina looked like she was out for the night. The nicer side of him wanted to move his car and pretend to drive away, just to set Noble’s mind at rest, but he didn’t want to miss the dream, especially because a long dream could be over in less than a minute.

  Then again, she might take a while to get into a dream state from passing out drunk. He closed the door and locked it, and then quietly lay down on the far side of the bed, facing Tina. He needed to be close, touching. At least, he told himself that as he lay staring at her, drinking in her scent.