Chattanooga Pulse

Written by Alex Teach
Tuesday, 30 September 2008 21:44
Some things we cannot leave behind

Another dream. Darkness was contrasted by lightning all around. It tugged on the large, cheap plastic shingles on the storefront’s false roof, the modern equivalent of an Old West block-style façade, which was blowing off in sections. I was viewing everything from above my car. As I stood by the open driver’s-side door, I gripped the upper edge of the frame at the roof and gritted my teeth. The storm was here. It was all wind and lightning and no rain, and the lack of rain was maddening, as if a lack of closure was pervading what I knew should be blistering rainfall, making windshield wipers useless, and thoughts of crawling into the attic seem sensible.

My hair was longer, and this time a streak of gray showed half an inch above my ears, but I was not many years older than I am now. The collars of my coat were whipping against my neck. My embroidered badge was frayed but still visible. Time was short, as was my patience. Only a few options left…then the dream ends, leaving me with a memory of irrational fury and frustration. Weird. Same dream as always, and as such, background noise to me, so I quickly forgot about it as I put miles on my Crown Vic.