Dream Journal
July 15, 2001, Continued
I ran down the stairs, not even noticing that my sweat-soaked cotton nightgown, usually quite prim, was now nearly transparent. I heard a step on the stair, and yanked open the door without checking first.
"Bonsoir, mon cher. Comment avez-vous Γ©tΓ©?" How have I been? He shows up tonight, after that dream, and wants to know how I've been?
"Je fais bien," I replied by rote, but my mind was churning. What are the odds that he'd show up on this of all nights? "What are you doing here?" I asked him, continuing in French.
"I was called."
"Called?"
"Summoned, beckoned, pulled. Comprenez-vous?"
I started retort, but could think of nothing to say. The sensual dream he'd been very much a part of was still too fresh in my mind. As if he heard me, Emil looked me up and down, and gave me his arrogant grin.
"Were you dreaming about me, ma petite? He took a step forward, and I moved back. "Was it good?" Another step. "Was I as good as you remembered?" His voice dropped to a deep, dark note, and I backed again in response. "Does he not keep you satisfied?"
"IβIβ¦that's none of your business!"
"But it's mine," Another voice spoke.
"Phillip!" I squeaked, darting around Emil to his side. Rather than taking me in his arms, though, he looked down at me with hard eyes. "What is he doing here?"
"She called me," Emil supplied helpfully.
"I did not!" Both men simply stared at me. "Okay, so I had this strange dream."
"Dream? How very Freudian.'
"Shut up, Emil. It's just a dream. It doesn't mean anything. Phillip and I are very happy together. You are a bastard, and I'm delighted to be without you."
"Then why are you dreaming about me?" he asked me seductively in French, which he knew Phillip didn't speak. "Did I screw you to the mattress? Did you call out my name when your new husband fucked you?"
"No," I drew back and hissed. It was too close to the truth for comfort. "Get away from me."
"You heard her," Phillip said, now staunchly at my side. "We're very happy together, and you are not needed."
"Prove it," Emil challenged.
"Huh?" I asked.
"Pardon?" Phillip looked equally confused.
"Touch your wife. Delight her. Bring her to la petite mort, climax. If you can, I will leave."