Whiskey in the Sun

CRASH- The thunder shook the house. The rain pattered against the windows and the blanket above me was heavy. The fire crackled in the fireplace, the only light in the house. It was heaven. My mug was warm in my hands and the smell of hot cocoa filled my senses. My eyes felt heavy and my heart content. I took one last sip of the chocolate drink and set it down. Getting comfy in my nice fluffy blanket. My eyes drifted shut after seeing the lightning flash outside. I woke up in a field of wildflowers. The sun shone brightly above me and warmed my skin. I love this dream. I get to see her. My heart hammered in my chest as I ran through the high grass towards the forest. I saw her at the edge of the forest that surrounded the field. Her short white hair blew in the wind and her brown eyes shone brightly like whiskey in the sun when she smiled. I ran and ran but could never reach her. Always too far away. Always out of reach. I reached out my hand and so did she and I- I woke up with a start. The thunder crashed especially loud this time. I groaned and looked at the time. It was six in the morning. Too early to go back to bed. Plus I have work today. I grabbed my now cold hot chocolate and poured it down the drain. My legs were cold and my eyes sleepy. I smiled softly remembering my dream. I rinsed my cup and set it in the sink. I’ll clean it tonight. I trudged over to my room and got dressed. A simple white blouse and a pencil skirt for my dead end job. I put my hair up and simple makeup on. 

The thunder crashed again, but quieter. It was moving on, something I should be doing. But when you dream of a girl that doesn’t exist, your heart holds onto it. Hoping that she’s real, yearning for her to be real. My coffee brewed as I got my cup out. Pouring it, listening to the hot liquid hit the bottom of the cup. My brain was still foggy from sleep. I can’t stop thinking of a non-existent girl. Her eyes shone so bright and her smile lit up my world. I took a sip of my coffee and grabbed my stuff. My hand on the door knob, I took a deep breath and left for work.

Walking into the hotel was the same as always. Clocking in, saying hi to my co-workers, and bringing out orders to tables. I took a fifteen minute break outside for a smoke. My friend Andrew came out to say hi. My head rested in my hands as my cigarette burned. “Still having that dream?” He inquired. His red hair turned a pretty auburn in the morning sun. I huffed out and looked out at the back road in front of me. “Yeah..” I groaned. “I know she’s not real but all I can think about is her. A dream.” He looked at me with his signature mischievous glimmer in his eyes. When he knew something no one else did. When he had some valuable information. My heart strings tightened at the thought that he had found her. “Well, there is a huge party coming in today. Maybe she’ll be there.” He smirked devilishly. “Andrew.” I huffed out. “Quit getting my hopes up.” I sank my head down to my knees. “Hey, I’m just saying. Maybe she is real.” And with that he got up and went back inside. Leaving me to the cool morning air and the smell of dew. 

When the party came in, I knew it was going to be a busy shift. At least fifty people came in. and at least twenty were children. Serving children was the worst. They ran around and they threw food. Especially at me. I was their favorite target. I was cleaning off mash potatoes from my waitress' apron when someone tapped on my shoulder. I looked over and almost didn’t believe what I saw. Her eyes shone like whiskey in sunshine and her hair was stark white. “Excuse me, we need more breadsticks.” Her voice, better than I could have ever imagined. Her skin, fair with rosy cheeks. I must have looked like a deer in headlights as she waved her hand in my face. “Um..sorry.” I apologized, stumbling over my words. “Breadsticks will be right up ma’am.” She walked off elegantly in her sundress. My heart hammered against my ribs. My breath was fast and I felt as though I was going to expire. I stumbled back into the kitchen and grabbed Andrew by his sleeve. Dragging him into an alcove. I couldn’t breathe. I was panicking. Oh god. He grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me. “Snap out of it!”  I looked at him and took in a shaky breath. “She’s… She’s here.” I spoke barely above a whisper. He just smiled as if he already knew. Of course he did. That bastard knew everything. He turned me around and said, “Go get her.” and then he pushed me. 

I tried to avoid that table like the plague but Andrew somehow got me over there every time they needed something. Whether that was a refill or more food. Her eyes felt like fire on my skin. Her voice was like honey and I was a fly to it. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Her laugh was contagious and her eyes crinkled when she smiled. Making me feel whole. I had just met her and I don’t know her but I feel like I’ve known her my whole life. Maybe more. At the end of the night, I gave them their bill and on the staff receipt was her name and number. Angel. God it was a perfect name. She was an angel. The way her laugh carried through the room and her voice was warm like hot chocolate. Her eyes were brown like an oak tree. Filled with life and it felt like she stared into my soul each and every time our eyes met. She was my dream girl.