Saja Bo Storm
Stories (43/0)
The Splendiferous Night Owl of Odell's
I, like the splendiferous night owl that I am, don’t give a flying hoot.” Barbara Banks smoothed out imaginary wrinkles in her black pencil skirt as she made her way to the center of the arena. “Madam Speaker,” she began, “I’ve worked hard at remembering my dream once I discovered that I would be first to present in this dream study group. I’m a night owl and I was quite disturbed that I had been summoned to address this audience at such an ungodly hour. Early birds do get the worm, but they also get muscle aches, headaches, and more frequent cold symptoms. Let's not even talk about their anger issues. Woosh! I'm tired of my early bird friends and family telling me to go to bed and get up early. What for? The evening hours are the perfect time to experience a creative breakthrough just for pure imagination only. We’re smarter and richer than early risers and quicker and more alert when doing complex tasks throughout the day. Telling me to go to bed at a reasonable hour won't help me to maximize my brain “Ms. Banks, no need to be so formal, the voice from the speaker said. “You can call me “The V” as no one has yet determined my age, sex, political class, ethnicity or social position. “Oh, I beg your pardon, “V” I didn't mean to address you in a way that would offend you.” “You didn't, continue please.” “Continue?” Barbara said. She had paused to grab her cosmetic mirror and reapply her makeup. Her reflection revealed a 60ish straightlaced executive administrative secretary with pale blush, baby pink, pear-shaped lips and pale blonde hair twisted in a tight bun. “Continue with your dream please. Not your dissertation on sleep patterns. The other members of the sleep study group chuckled. “The reason why you are here is to participate in a dream study for a monetary endowment.” “Oh, that.” She waved away the idea as if it were an afterthought. Her well-manicured fingers snapped in the air. “Don't need the money,” she grabbed at her collar of her buttoned up white blouse as if she were clutching her grandmother's finest pearls. Another participant in the study shouted, “I'll take your money!” Everyone laughed. Barbara Banks sniffed the air as if someone had passed gas. “How rude,” she replied. “Your dream Ms. Banks,” the voice boomed. “Yes, but of course.” The dream…. I shall proceed.” “Well, thank you your highness, another member yelled. Barbara shot him an icy stare and began. “My dream began in a suspiciously seedy downtown. A place called Odell’s. “Men and women sat at a bar with a black Formica finish perched on gaudy blood red bar stools. A DJ play music which pleased the onlookers. Others chose to sit at silver and chrome tables. The music was thumping in my ears, and I had to cover them from time to time to talk to the other coworkers we were sitting adult death. We were changing our clothes and fixing our hair and make-up. I placed lotion on my face and patted a cream makeup on my forehead and cheeks. I chose a deep red lipstick and black mascara. Everyone was so excited. I had to be the top fashion model. I had just adjusted my fascinator when the master of ceremonies summoned me to the stage. I was the next model to appear. I slipped on my kitten heels and headed for the catwalk. When I arrived, the music appeared louder. There was a strange silver pole in the center of the stage, and I walked out with my best model strut. No one was impressed. I sashayed around the stage several times before I heard several people both men and women shout, “You’re overdressed lady! “So, this was my dream job. I had always wanted to be a fashion model since I’d always been heralded for my beauty and grace. Why these hellions didn't care about the impeccably dressed makeup and hairstyle I was sporting. Was beyond me. I gasped when I saw the master of ceremonies pull off his jacket and shirt. They wanted me to undress. How dare they!” I was then pushed onto the edge of the stage by another quote unquote fashion model who yelled in my ear. “You're up next. Grab that pole! Suddenly, there were hundreds of dollar bills floating everywhere. I found myself collecting piles and piles of dollar ballot bills the more I circled the shiny pole. Finally, I was happy because I found my dream job! In a dream! It’s quite fitting since I don’t have to report to work until midnight. A night owl’s best job ever. I will send in my resignation tomorrow. Barbara took off her tortoise shell frames and untied the knot on top of her head. She shook out her hair and flipped it back. Woo Hoo! When she opened her eyes, her peers were snickling. She ignored them and kept talking. I knew I could do this job because night owls are smarter, more creative and have higher IQ, so there. We’re less tired throughout the day and are definitely less stressed. I have a happier future because I experience more from my nocturnal creative juices.” “Well done, Barbara, the voice said you’ve convinced us all to stay up into the wee hours of the morning. And welcome to show business. She paused for one beat and continued, but don’t quit your day job. Every member of the work study audience jumped out of their seats, hooted, and stomped their feet jubilant that someone had finally put the snooty, Ms. Banks in her proverbial place.
By Saja Bo Storm2 years ago in Fiction
Relax, Relate, Release and Repeat
Twenty-twenty-two. It takes two to make a thing go right. Not this year. It takes two to make it out of sight. No. Nada, New year. New plans. New mantra. One is the only number that I’ll ever know. And it’s not a lonely one. It's all about me this year. I'm relaxing, relating, releasing and resting some more. Hit Repeat. My new yoga position is resting human. I'm revving up my engines and refreshing my brain, body and soul. It all begins with zoom online courses. I've signed up to participate in four Brain Blast challenge classes. These interactive brain game exercises will ‘jump start my brain's super pathways and shake off the winter cobwebs.’ I'm challenging my mind and my brain will thank me. Less stress equals more exhaling and relaxation. It’s all about me so let's explore music next. I'm taking the Sound and Vision series to explore the history of musical scores from some of my favorite films and learn about some of the current composers who shaped the way stories are told into movies. I'm going to learn about award winning scores, famous black film composers, and famous women film composers. These classes suit me since I’m the movie Soundtrack queen. Bring on the music! The next class I'm taking is The Science and Mystery of Sleep to explore some of the late findings on sleep through fantastical, handmade bedrooms created by visionary artists as a personal refuge. Presented by the American Visual Arts museum; I'm hoping to get some great ideas about redecorating and revamping my bedroom to get more sleep and rest. And after a restful sleep, let's play games. I'm taking three online Bingo classes. G 47 B 11 G 20 I 19 Nin 39 O 70 …BINGO! I'm going to win. Just watch me! The next class I'm taking is a journaling class. It’s called Creative Writing which encourages creative expression through end of the week free riding. In each session, participants are given writing prompts to explore and share with the rest of the class. This is a fun way to express yourself and get writing feedback from peers. Our first prompt was “What’s on your mind?” My response was:
By Saja Bo Storm2 years ago in Humans
Till Next Christmas
Christmas in Chicago’s Southside in the fifties sparkled with multicolored lights. In the background, the sound of Nat king Cole's "The Christmas Song" wafted from the radios of many of the black-owned businesses in the neighborhood. Most of the proprietors and residents migrated from the South in search of a place where they and their children could prosper like other Americans. Segregation still existed in the North, but they knew that the move would bring them to a place where they stood a chance at achieving the American dream. The fresh smell of pine permeated from the full green wreaths donned with large red bows. Tinsel, shiny gold and silver stars and round crystal shaped ornaments hung from the ceilings of the neighborhood barbers, beauty salons, tailors and other establishments. The friendly owners handed out sweet hard ribboned Christmas candy to the young children who hung on tightly to their parent’s hands as they passed through the stores buying their last-minute Christmas gifts. Across town, Bobo led his group of friends out into the fresh, cold air. His laughter broke through the frosty climate and his frosty chuckles made everyone laugh. He waved at his other classmates shouting, “Have a Merry Christmas and I’ll see you all next year!” Bobo was chubby and his personality warmed people over and he had lots of friends because he loved making people laugh. He also liked to participate in small pranks. Bobo, Richard, Cooksie and Ronnie were 7th graders at James McCosh Elementary School located on the West Woodlawn area of Chicago. The winters were cold in Chicago and the teens were bundled up in winter coats, furry hats and gloves. But on the inside, the boys sported crepe-soled shoes white shirts and polyester pants and the girls wore their favorite poodle flared skirts with crinoline slips underneath. A few snowflakes were falling, the wind was picking up and school had let just let out for the Christmas holiday as they hurried through the neighborhood over to Bobo's house. Bobo and his mom lived in a modest middle-class neighborhood. Their home was comfortable and cozy. The teens were eager to listen to their favorite music from the Moonglows, the Coasters, the Flamingos and the Spaniels. When they gathered in the living room, the boys tried to imitate the singing groups and had lots of fun trying to croon in doo-wop style harmony. The girls spun around to the music as they danced watching their skirts flare in hypnotic circles. To be young was surely where it was at, Rock and Roll was just beginning to spread its wings and the children had not a care in the world because Christmas was a few days away. “Hey, ma!” Bobo yelled into the kitchen, “Can we have some baloney sandwiches and grape Kool-Aid?” Mamie wiped her hands on the tea towel she pulled from off her shoulder. She had just come home from work and was extremely tired, but she smiled at her son who once said to her, ‘if you can go out and make money, I can take care of the house.’ Her son always showed a happy disposition even though he was born with Polio which left him stuttering a bit, but it didn't keep him from making everybody laugh. He loved telling jokes. He was a happy child, and everybody knew it. Even though her husband had died in World War ll, she struggled at raising him alone, but she did what she had to… he was after all the love of her life now that her husband was gone. So, a light snack for Bobo and his neighborhood friends was a small thing to ask for. When his mom brought in the sandwiches and drinks, his friends were all gathered around the Christmas tree that he and his mother had decorated last week. Most of the ornaments were passed down from generation to generation. The tree was covered with silver garland and strings of blue, red, yellow and green lights. The fat bulbs illuminated the tree nicely. At least three full boxes of icicles covered the tree. His mom always placed the icicles strand by strand, but he was too impatient, and it infuriated her when he threw gobs and handfuls of icicles onto the tree without separating them. A couple bags of angel hair covered the entirety of the tree until barely a green branch was exposed. Bobo was not fond of angel hair because if you handled it too much it would stick to you and make your skin itch. Bobo's mom wiped her hands on her apron and said to the kids as sternly as she could without smiling. “Now you kids need to finish up by four and get home before the streetlights come on. I know your parents expect you home soon.” They said in unison, “Yes ma'am, we already let them know that we were coming here today. Richard said, “You know next Christmas we'll all be in the 8th grade and getting ready to go into high school. Bobo laughed, “You’d better spend all your holiday studying if you want to join us there. No eating, no opening gifts, no nothing.” The girls burst out in laughter holding their stomachs in an unladylike fashion. “Stop with the jokes, Bobo!” Richard said although he was laughing too. Bobo walked his friends to the door waved and chuckled as they slid down the street skating on the newly fallen snow. He grabbed the mail from the mailbox and placed a few bills and handful of Christmas cards on the hall table. A Christmas card from one their relatives from Money, Ms. caught his eye. He had never visited his mom’s relatives and was curious about the place where his mother had been born. He shrugged and walked down the hall. “Hey ma, do you need me to help you with our dishes? She hadn’t heard him because she was deep in thought about the signet ring that belonged to her late husband Louis. Maybe he'll be old enough to receive it then. I'll give it to him next Christmas or maybe on his birthday this July. Bobo rushed in the kitchen; “Did you hear me? I said do you want me to wash our dishes?” “Oh, no, Emmett.” She took off her apron and hung it on the hook by the sink. “Let’s just enjoy our Christmas… the dishes can wait.” After they strolled into the living room, Emmett put on one of his mom's favorite Christmas songs by Nat King Cole. He placed the needle down gingerly on the LP which rested on his dad’s worn-out record player. They enjoyed the dancing lights of the Christmas tree as they listened to the opening lines of the song, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Emmett and his mom cuddled together happy that Christmas would soon be here.
By Saja Bo Storm2 years ago in Fiction
TILL Christmas
Christmas in Chicago’s Southside in the fifties sparkled with multicolored lights. In the background, the sound of Nat king Cole's The Christmas Song wafted from the radios of many of the black-owned businesses in the neighborhood. Most of the proprietors and residents migrated from the South in search of a place where they and their children could prosper like other Americans. Segregation still existed in the North, but they knew that the move would bring them to a place where they stood a chance at achieving the American dream. The fresh smell of pine permeated from the full green wreaths donned with large red bows. Tinsel, shiny gold and silver stars and round crystal shaped ornaments hung from the ceilings of the neighborhood barbers, beauty salons, tailors and other establishments. The friendly owners handed out sweet hard ribboned Christmas candy to the young children who hung on tightly to their parent’s hands as they passed through the stores buying their last-minute Christmas gifts. Across town, Bobo led his group of friends out into the fresh, cold air. His laughter broke through the frosty climate and his frosty chuckles made everyone laugh. He waved at his other classmates shouting, “Have a Merry Christmas and I’ll see you all next year!” Bobo was chubby and his personality warmed people over and he had lots of friends because he loved making people laugh. He also liked to participate in small pranks. Bobo, Richard, Cooksie and Ronnie were 7th graders at James McCosh Elementary School located on the West Woodlawn area of Chicago. The winters were cold in Chicago and the teens were bundled up in winter coats, furry hats and gloves. But on the inside, the boys sported crepe-soled shoes white shirts and polyester pants and the girls wore their favorite poodle flared skirts with crinoline slips underneath. A few snowflakes were falling, the wind was picking up and school had let just let out for the Christmas holiday as they hurried through the neighborhood over to Bobo's house. Bobo and his mom lived in a modest middle-class neighborhood. Their home was comfortable and cozy. The teens were eager to listen to their favorite music from the Moonglows, the Coasters, the Flamingos and the Spaniels. When they gathered in the living room, the boys tried to imitate the singing groups and had lots of fun trying to croon in doo-wop style harmony. The girls spun around to the music as they danced watching their skirts flare in hypnotic circles. To be young was surely where it was at, Rock and Roll was just beginning to spread its wings and the children had not a care in the world because Christmas was a few days away. “Hey Ma!” Bobo yelled into the kitchen, “Can we have some baloney sandwiches and grape Kool-Aid?” Mamie wiped her hands on the tea towel she pulled from off her shoulder. She had just come home from work and was extremely tired, but she smiled at her son who once said to her, ‘if you can go out and make money, I can take care of the house.’ Her son always showed a happy disposition even though he was born with Polio which left him stuttering a bit, but it didn't keep him from making everybody laugh. He loved telling jokes. He was a happy child, and everybody knew it. Even though her husband had died in World War ll, she struggled at raising him alone, but she did what she had to… he was after all the love of her life now that her husband was gone. So, a light snack for Bobo and his neighborhood friends was a small thing to ask for. When his mom brought in the sandwiches and drinks, his friends were all gathered around the Christmas tree that he and his mother had decorated last week. Most of the ornaments were passed down from generation to generation. The tree was covered with silver garland and strings of blue, red, yellow and green lights. The fat bulbs illuminated the tree nicely. At least three full boxes of icicles covered the tree. His mom always placed the icicles strand by strand, but he was too impatient, and it infuriated her when he threw gobs and handfuls of icicles onto the tree without separating them. A couple bags of angel hair covered the entirety of the tree until barely a green branch was exposed. Bobo was not fond of angel hair because if you handled it too much it would stick to you and make your skin itch. Bobo's mom wiped her hands on her apron and said to the kids as sternly as she could without smiling. “Now you kids need to finish up by four and get home before the streetlights come on. I know your parents expect you home soon.” They said in unison, “Yes ma'am, we already let them know that we were coming here today. Richard said, “You know next Christmas we'll all be in the 8th grade and getting ready to go into high school. Bobo laughed, “You’d better spend all your holiday studying if you want to join us there. No eating, no opening gifts, no nothing.” The girls burst out in laughter holding their stomachs in an unladylike fashion. “Stop with the jokes, Bobo!” Richard said although he was laughing too. Bobo walked his friends to the door waved and chuckled as they slid down the street skating on the newly fallen snow. He grabbed the mail from the mailbox and placed a few bills and handful of Christmas cards on the hall table. A Christmas card from one their relatives from Money, Ms. caught his eye. He had never visited his mom’s relatives and was curious about the place where his mother had been born. He shrugged and walked down the hall. “Hey ma, do you need me to help you with our dishes? She hadn’t heard him because she was deep in thought about the signet ring that belonged to her late husband Louis. Maybe he'll be old enough to receive it then. I'll give it to him next Christmas or maybe on his birthday this July. Bobo rushed in the kitchen; “Did you hear me? I said do you want me to wash our dishes?” “Oh, no, Emmett.” She took off her apron and hung it on the hook by the sink. “Let’s just enjoy our Christmas… the dishes can wait.” After they strolled into the living room, Emmett put on one of his mom's favorite Christmas songs by Nat King Cole. He placed the needle down gingerly on the LP which rested on his dad’s worn-out record player. They enjoyed the dancing lights of the Christmas tree as they listened to the opening lines of the song, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Emmett and his mom cuddled together happy that Christmas would soon be here.
By Saja Bo Storm2 years ago in Fiction
Dance Queen
Mark Twain said, “Dance like no one is watching…”. And I do. Even when people are. When I dance, I am my most authentic self. I move, bounce, glide on any surface whether it be wood, linoleum, carpet, rock-like, of cement. My first introduction to dance would appear outside in the streets of my Baltimore City neighborhood in Sandtown. As a young child, I would participate in all types of outside activities. Some of them involved dancing to neighborhood songs. I’m not sure where the songs originated but they were from an oral tradition which were passed down from many generations. Songs with dance steps like included “Is this the way you Willoughby”, “Here comes the Dukes a Riding, and many more. I’ve taught my children and grandchildren these dances and I hope they go on forever. Contact me, and I’ll teach them to you too. Here are the lyrics:
By Saja Bo Storm2 years ago in Motivation
Dream Sequence
The members of the dream study group began mulling about the dream presentation room. They were anxious and annoyed. Ernesto asked “When are we going to meet you Mr. or Miss. speaker? Cheyenne reached over and hooked her arm in his. He looked at her and raised one disheveled brow. She addressed the voice and asked, “Uh, yes. I want to know who you are. You know all about us. Our innermost thoughts by way of our dreams of course”. “I don’t care who you are! Now that everything's over” David chimed in, “When are we going to get paid? He walked over to Princess and when he reached for her, she scrambled to the other side of the room. Princess and Jason began whispering conspiratorially. Then they said, “Yeah, what’s up with the money?” Aiden started packing up his belongings shoveling them into his backpack. He slung it over his shoulder and said, “Email me when everything's processed.” Alexia asked if anyone wanted to exchange numbers. Marigold walked over to her and asked for her info. Alexia whispered, “Why is Cheyenne grabbing Ernesto like that. I thought you too were friends.” “Marigold shook her head, “We are friends. He won’t let anyone in …closer. Don’t you remember his dream?” “Just a minute, dreamers,” the voice from the dream study group spoke. Please remain still dreamers. To answer your question Ernesto have you ever seen Charlie's Angels? Perhaps that's before your time But I believe you were around when the two rebooted movies were made. We never got to meet Charlie, did we? But he was able to get the angels to accomplish the goals he had prepared for them. Hello, just call me Charlie.” Princess shouted, “I’m no angel, but I followed all your orders. And now it’s time for you to listen to us.” “Calm down, Miss Lovejoy. All of you, check your bank accounts. if you left a good bank account on file you should have already received your payment. However…” “Oh, I just got paid,” Cheyenne shouted. Everyone started checking their phones and woo hoo, oh yeah, yes, hallelujah, ay dios mio and various sounds of joy erupted throughout the room. The voice cleared its throat and continued “However, if you're interested in participating in a reality show entitled Dream On: The Live Show. I've left the contracts spelling out our proposal on the front table. The difference is that you will be seen all over America. The audience will vote on the best dreams. And at the end of the program, a dreamer will be sent home. The winner at the end will receive 100,000 dollars. Secondly, you have to complete your contracts before you leave today, and all participants have to report back two weeks from today. We will be conducting a Dream Sequence 2 dream study with eight new participants in the interim. We hope to have ten contestants in total. “I’m definitely signing the contract. Not quite sure if I can afford to travel back and forth though. I have to go back home to see my significant other.” Jason said with excitement. Cheyenne added, “I’m game too! There’s no one home for me but money is definitely an issue.” The voice from the speaker explained to them that all their travel accommodations and hotel reservations except for food toiletries, and clothing would be paid for in advance. “It’s in the contract. Everything is spelled out for you in the contract.” The voice said. Jason and Cheyenne dashed for the table with David following their lead. He looked over his shoulder and smiled when he noticed that Princess had rushed over too. “Good Luck, Beautiful Dreamers. I wish you well whichever decision you make. I hope I'll see you again then. Good day everyone and happy dreams.”
By Saja Bo Storm3 years ago in Fiction
Dream Sequence
Dream 8: The Man of My Dreams “On the first day of Christmas,” Princess stood on her beige Adirondack chair belting out her favorite Christmas tune. “My true love gave to me.” She outstretched her arms and waved an imaginary baton as if she was conducting a church choir. Everybody stared wide-eyed. Some of the members of the dream study group joined in as she ended the first chorus, “A partridge in a pear tree.” Princess tried to balance her body, which was hard to do on one prosthetic leg and a wounded arm from an explosion in the Iraq war. She had completed two tours of duty before the accident. They members of the sleep study group all stood and cheered as Princess hopped off her chair, wrapped her camo jacket around her waist, and danced around the room. David, Aiden, and Ernesto formed a circle and pranced around Princess as she waltzed and twirled in the center of the ring. Alexia and Marigold ran over and joined her in the center. Jason and Cheyenne remained seated but clapped to the beat of the lively, but traditional Christmas song. “Miss Lovejoy, the voice from the speaker spoke, do you sing in your sleep?” Princess immediately halted her performance and plopped down in her chair exhausted and embarrassed. She wrapped a throw accented with colorful nutcrackers around her shoulders and pulled her legs up in a bow. She pulled a juicy Bartlett pear out of her backpack and bit down hard sending juices in a trajectory, some of them spilling down on her chin. I have a pear tree in my backyard. If anyone needs a snack, feel free to help yourself. I brought some with me. They’re on the refreshment table in the back. Far healthier than a slice of chocolate cake. The group chuckled. She wiped her mouth and began her dream story. “Good day everyone, are you get ready for Christmas in summer?” She laughed. “In my dream, I was lounging at my kitchen table enjoying some Earl Grey iced tea and buttery, shortbread cookies. The doorbell rang and I pushed up out of my state of chill. It was the mailman. Harrison usually waited for me to retrieve the mail. We had been talking for three of the five years that he was my carrier. I recalled that I did most of the talking. He was a good listener. I watched him hop back in his truck, shrugged, grabbed the mail from out of the mailbox and took it back to the table. There were a few bills, junk mail, and a bright crimson envelope. With eyes wide, I opened it first. It was a Christmas card. How strange was that! A Christmas card in 90-degree weather. I flipped the card from side-to-side and front to back. There was no return address. Curious, I tore it open and read the inscription. It was mysteriously signed ‘the man of your dreams.’ Princess peered into the eyes of her companions. “I'm dreaming and I get a Christmas card from the man of my dreams. I wondered who could have sent the card. The signature was unrecognizable to me, and I hadn't had the company of a man for a couple of years now. I was a hard-working employee trying to use my ambition to get from salesclerk to manager, so I literally had no time for friends, family, significant others, boyfriends, girlfriends, frenemies… well, you get the picture.” “Ok, TMI, back to the dream people. I reexamined the card searching for clues. There was a snowy outside scene on the back. Billowy white snow and tree limbs covered completely with snow and icicles. On the front of a card there was a beautifully decorated house and three figures making snow angels. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer. This Christmas card made me smile and feel warm inside. I still didn't know who ‘the man of my dreams’ could be. So, who are you Mr. Dreamy? I thought about the significant men in my life, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out who ‘the man of my dreams’ could be. For the next twelve days, I received gifts from ‘the man of my dreams.’ Each gift was a token of affection, which further touched my heart. The first gift was a large box of different flavored dark chocolate. There was raspberry, orange, mint, coconut, and peanut butter. As I sampled the flavors, I thought about Michael, the blues singer who was tall, lean but athletic. He was a chocolate delight. And I love dark chocolate. He sported a bald head and wore one gold stud. I don't think he ever took it off, but I'll never tell. The second gift was a lavender aromatic soy candle. I immediately lit the candle inhaling the deliciously soothing aroma. I thought about another candidate who smelled just as delicious as the candle. He could be Gabe. Gabe had bushy red hair and eyebrows that matched. He played Rugby from dawn to dusk. I wasn’t all that fond of rugby, I’m more of an NFL football fanatic. What we liked together was sushi and haiku. I still had his rugby green and white pull over in my hall closet. On the third day, I received a small black jewelry box. When I opened it, I yelled and jumped up for joy. It was a blueish purple, orange-red, gold shiny butterfly pin. I immediately opened the clasp and pinned it on my t shirt. Strange you say, but it was summertime and too hot for a sweater. On day four, I received a pink box which held a blue and white decorated can of hibiscus tea leaves that I immediately steamed. I could hardly wait a good four minutes. I think I brewed it for just two and a half and plopped in some crushed ice. I can’t forget about my tea drinking truck driver Raoul. His hair was shoulder length, and he was kind of stocky. Most of the weekends he was away. But when he was in town, we enjoyed spicy Indian food and old movies. On the fifth day, I received a plush stuffed Unicorn. I love stuffed animals and the unicorn is my spirit animal. On the sixth day, I received a pair of fuzzy socks. I immediately put them on because my feet are always cold… whether its summer, spring, falls, or winter. The socks were the color of the Jamaican flag and Kingsley came to mind. I'd met him on a cruise to the Bahamas. By some coincidence and serendipity, we rekindled our friendship when we ran across each other at a reggae festival the next summer. He cooked four straight months for me, and I enjoyed his jerk chicken, goat meat and fried plantains. I gained 15 pounds before I bid him adieu. On the seventh day, I received a bag of my favorite nuts, jumbo cashews, and a case of natural spring water on the eighth. I received a purple journal, a packet of thank you cards, and a fine tipped ink pen on the ninth, tenth and eleventh days respectively. I ran out of men I could equate my gifts too as well. It was now the last day and I still didn't know who ‘the man of my dreams’ was. So, I decided on the twelfth day to don my deerstalker after I received the copy of the e. e. cummings collected works of poetry. I was really confused. Whoever this person was this ‘man of my dreams,’ knew me from head to toe and inside and out. He could see into my very soul and figured out what gifts I would love. This dreamboat was the perfect man of my dreams. I thought about these men in my life, and I was determined to hunt for more clues. It didn’t matter that they were no longer men in my life or even that we parted, one of them could still be the man of my dreams. The doorbell rang and started me. I rushed to the door. The mailman, I barely remembered his name was an average height man medium build. He had a small close- cropped Afro, bushy eyebrows, a thin mustache in a wide grin. He had delivered another package and appeared to be eager to make a quick retreat. ‘Wait a minute,’ I said.’ He looked reluctant to turn around. ‘Is this package from you?’ The mailman’s gaze was suspiciously sheepish. ‘It was you! all this time. I clucked my tongue. ‘You sent me that Christmas card signed, the man of your dreams! Didn’t you?’ his shoulders slumped, and his brown have eyes met hers for the first time. I know quite a bit about little things and bigger things…your likes dislikes, career goals, etc. I hoped to be the man of your dreams. But trust me, I’m no stalker. I blushed and said, ‘You’ve been the perfect man for me, the man of my dreams but now I really need to step up to fulfill ‘the woman of your dreams’ position. I have been talking, talking, and talking and you’ve been listening, and I know nothing about your likes, dislikes, career goals, etc. I, from this day forward intend to make that up to you. Please, I don’t even know your whole name.’ My name is Simon Harrison. Simon, please come to dinner after your shift. I would love to hear everything about you. This ‘man of my dreams’ concept can’t work unless we reciprocate. I intend on making it happen…to be the true woman of your dreams.” Simon reached for her hand and kissed it softly, ‘I can hardly wait. It’s all I dream about.’
By Saja Bo Storm3 years ago in Fiction
Dream Sequence
Dream 7: The Creature from the Frozen Pond “Nobody freak out!” Alexia Knight cautioned. “Just relax. breathe in and breathe out. Before I begin, let me tell you that I actually had a nightmare last night. Calm down. Relax. You know that a nightmare is a frightening experience. It really is an unpleasant dream. So, it still qualifies right?” Alicia nodded up to the speaker. The voice from the speaker chimed, “Miss Knight, you are correct.” Alicia continued, we only have two more dreams to listen to you and since mine is a nightmare, I'm going to give you some ideas on how to relieve that panic you may experience from having a nightmare. You should do what I researched. It’s called the 4-7-8 breathing exercise.” Alicia clapped her hands together in an attempt to motivate the sleep study members. “Everybody stand. Come on, get up.” Alexia hopped up from her purple bean bag chair and directed the reluctant group. First, let your lip’s part. Make a whooshing sound, exhale completely through your mouth. The voice from the speaker interrupted, “Is this quite necessary, Miss Knight?” “It is. The dream is pretty eerie and creepy. “Alright, Miss Knight you have permission to continue.” “Thank you, uh Sir, madam speaker, sir. Next, close your lips, inhaling silently through your nose as you count to 4 in your head. Then, for 7 seconds, hold your breath. Now make another whooshing exhale from your mouth for 8 seconds. Let's do it again because some of you can't follow directions properly and the others of you just look completely dumbfounded, I've got another and better idea people. Just play some of your favorite music or do fifty pushups, Alexia laughed. Everybody can sit down. Here's my dream slash nightmare slash frightmare for your listening pleasure. In my dream, I was a little girl about ten or twelve and me and Rachel, my big sister and a large group of classmates and neighborhood pals were heading to the ice-skating rink. When we got there, it was so overcrowded that they wouldn't let us in. It could have also been that we were making a lot of noise. We seemed like an unruly crowd. “Let's go to Henry’s Ice Rink on Katine Avenue,” Michael said. “That skating rink has been closed for repairs for over a year now. we can't go there.’ One of Rachel's friends suggested that we go to the frozen pond by the old tobacco factory. A younger kid about my age said, ‘my mom and dad told me, and my sister not to ever go near that place.’ ‘That place is cursed!’ Charli screamed. George laughed, ‘You’re just scared because you can't skate. “Come on!” Rachel shouted, Stopped clowning. It’s getting close to dinner time. Let's go. It's daylight and no one is trying to scare us. No curse is going to get us. Not on my watch. Trust me.’ Alexia groaned and looked at the study group. “I found it funny that Rachel said that because my oldest sister can't stand me. We’ve never gotten along. When all the kids in school were teasing me saying I was adopted, she never defended me. And now she thinks we should trust her. Ok, I guess that's part of the nightmare… my unresolved feelings with my sister Rachel. But I digress.” Alexia pulled off her khaki jacket and pulled her braids up on top of her head with a red scrunchie she retrieved from her jeans back pocket. Alexia shrugged her shoulders. “Back to the frightmare, we walked through hundreds of tall trees and foliage for what seemed like hours until Rachel found the frozen pond in the clearing up ahead. Everything seemed normal so we slung our ice skates off our shoulders, put them on, and headed for the pond. Everybody hopped on. One minute we were all skating on the frozen pond rubbing our hands together because it was ten degrees below zero and nobody wore gloves. But I wasn't as cold as the others for some strange reason. We were all having fun until we all heard an eerie sound from out of nowhere. No wind was blowing but it seemed to travel through the trees. And it sounded like no animal I had ever heard. I spotted the fear on the children’s faces. Before they could panic, Rachel shouted, ‘Come on everybody, we're out of here. Curse or no curse.’ Everybody ran but my knees locked, and I couldn't move. The sound didn't frighten me. It intrigued me. I heard someone or some thing’s voice. I could even translate the sounds. I thought I heard them say, ‘Weie Laj.’ I wondered who Weie was? They were telling Weie to come back home. I fell to my knees and saw my reflection in the icy mirror of the frozen pond. It was shocking! My mahogany skin was now blue and my long piano like fingers were short and webbed. My lips where pursed like a blowfish. My round brown eyes were now slits with grey orbs. I screamed clawing through the ice to get at the monster there. I jumped to my feet and the blades of my skates sliced through the ice which started cracking from the weight of my body. I yelled for Rachel as I fell through. Someone or something grabbed both my legs. I heard, ‘Come back. Come back, Weie. The strange voices said, ‘We’ve been waiting for you.’ They pulled me downward. I closed my eyes tight and relaxed my body anticipating a quick descent into the icy waters, but wait she came back. Rachel was leaning at the edge of the cracked opening and reaching into the freezing ice for me. My big sister did love me! She came back to save me. the we've Just then I realized that I was adopted. I didn't really belong on top of the world. I belonged in the cold, green and silver waters. Rachel pleaded with me as she tugged. Alexia, I love you. Please don't let go you should be with me so we can grow up together. Trust me.’ I saw the love in my big sister’s eyes, and I turned to say goodbye to my real people. I held onto Rachel as she pulled me out of the frozen pond to be her big sister forever.” Alexia stood still and quiet. When she spoke, her voice cracked with emotion. She cried out “my nightmare is finally over.” Alexia collapsed to the floor. She started sobbing and the members of the group study ran over grabbed her and hugged her tightly. She felt as if she had been pulled up out of the water for a second time. “Miss Knight, are you alright?” the voice from the speaker asked. Alicia sniffed wiping the tears from her eyes, “I will be. Too many of my nights have been filled with bad dreams but now I know that I am not alone. Dreams can come true!” The voice from the speaker offered words of encouragement. “Yes, they can, Miss Knight. Everybody, you’re dismissed for lunch. Take time to relax and get a good night’s sleep. Pleasant dreams.”
By Saja Bo Storm3 years ago in Fiction
Dream Sequence
Dream Six: Daydream Believer “Hello, I'm Marigold Mason and I daydream all the time. In my dream, I was driving toward a red light, and I was daydreaming again as I stopped. I always wondered why people daydream or at least why I do. And especially while driving. That's kind of dangerous, isn't it? But I read according to an Atlanta study that daydreamers have more active brains and may be more intelligent and creative than the average person. So that’s a good thing.” Marigold stretched her long legs and swung them around to the front of her pink chaise lounge. She pulled off her dark shades revealing big blue eyes. She patted her pink curls and brushed imaginary specks of lint from her white angora sweater. She took a small sip of her green tea and continued. “Back to my dream. I was at a red light waiting for it to change. I was still daydreaming when the light turned green. I opened my eyes widely and started heading for home. While driving through my neighborhood, I found it unrecognizable. I was on the right street. Yeah, that's Lane Blvd. Yeah, I double checked. Where is my church? My church should be right there. It had been replaced by a tall obelisk shaped building with gold doors and windows where am I? I gasped. I started to turn around and noticed that I was up in the air? How did I get up here? I was in the air several miles above the ground. All life as I remembered had evolved. There were people on the ground jogging with dogs who were on their hind legs. The trees had rainbow-colored leaves and there was a fruit hanging and I didn't know what kind of food it was. I had never seen it before. There was foliage and flowers moving like they had a life of their own. I was glad that there were still bees but on closer inspection they looked mechanical but still carried out the normal activities of pollination. My old blue Honda had metamorphosized into a sleek steel arrow dynamic vehicle. I wonder if it would be safe to land. Land? I don't know how to navigate this thing. But I needed to find out where I was cheering. When I say where I was, I mean what country? Continent? Planet? I saw different kinds of people or species. They were riding in a sleek silver air subway bus full to capacity. There were species with four arms, others with three eyes and some without identification of all sizes shapes and colors. I steered my new vehicle into the center of my neighborhood. I think I spotted my house or at least it looked like it. I commandeered the vehicle into a parking space and stepped out when the doors lifted. My street appeared more uniform now. All the cookie cutter row houses matched. They all were painted sky blue and opaque white. All the doors were terra cotta. And each house had ten opaque steps with gold trim. The top porcelain step glistened and seemed to be deposited with star shapes. The door opened and I stepped inside. I hesitated. I looked from side to side adjusting my eyes to the darkness on the interior,” Marigold took a long deep breath. Everyone in the dream study group scooted at the edge of their seats. The voice from the speaker whispered, “Miss Mason, what happened next?” I walked back to my pink chaise lounge and sauntered into a reclining position. “Well, what happened? Shouted one of the other seven participants. “Yeah, don't keep us waiting!” “Where were you?” another yelled, “I know it's a dream, but I'm scared,” said another. Her voice trembling. Marigold whispered, “Then the light turned green. I stirred from my daydream. I parked in my car in front of the Super Dollar store and went inside to shop for a new pair of sandals. I was so excited! I had been waiting all week for their summer sale! Everybody groaned, even the voice from the speaker seemed a little disturbed. Marigold smiled a little bemused. “What did you think would happen? It’s a dream, people.” The voice from the speaker sighed,” Thank you, Miss Mason. I think we'll take a break for the rest the day.
By Saja Bo Storm3 years ago in Fiction
Dream Sequence
Dream Five: Dream Big “Jason Lee Jones,” announced the voice from the speaker. “You're up next!” Jason jumped out of his seat as he grabbed his bar stool so it wouldn't hit the floor. He tripped over the shoes he had taken off. Crash! He tried to prevent the accident, but it happened anyway. He got the attention of the sleeping audience. Everyone was now wide awake. The audience was a group of participants who joined him in a dream study seminar. “Are you quite alright?” asked the voice from the speaker. “I’m good.” “Mr. Jones. Are you ready to begin?” “Yes, I am.” He wondered if the voice had been suppressing a giggle as he picked up the stool and sat down. He wrapped his bare feet around the rungs of the stool. All his life he dodged and ignored stares, pointing, laughter and double takes from classmates and neighbors and most people who didn't understand that he may have been a little different. As he got older, he thankfully and proudly realized that he was a member of a larger community of people who looked and lived just like him. He straightened his chair, wiped off his purple framed glasses, plucked at the loose azure blue curls at the top of his head. “Ahem. Welcome all I also like to dream big when I am awake. Unless we’re really dreaming now like the other dude says. Descartes. I think that’s his name. there’s are the certain things you have to remember if you want to dream big Find out what really matters to you, then dream big. Number one… believe that you can do it. Number two… don’t ask ‘what if I fail?’ Enjoy the fact that you tried. Number three… don’t be afraid of success. If you have more to do, it will be ok. Number four… visualize your goals. You need to have some imagination to do that and number five… Good luck! Take encouragement from others. I’d better start before …well, you know. He pointed upward. Jason stood up and walked away from his stool. I love movies! Mostly, old ones. So, in my dream my boyfriend Sylvester and I were watching one of my favorite movies, Raging Bull. In the beginning of the movie the main character, a wrestler in a sleepwalking trance started quoting something that seemed like Shakespeare. But I was the star of the movie not Robert De Niro and my dream was in black and white just like the movie. I tried to change the main character’s fall from grace event with my dream big philosophy to no avail. Like Othello, I let jealousy push my animalistic tendencies to the hilt. A bull in the China shop describes me at my best. I cheated on my wife, only it was my husband. Hey, it’s my dream after all! I chased after underage boys. I would never do that! I brutalized my enemies and even punched out my brother. Do I look like a violent man? Hello? Don't think so. Could I use the principles of ‘dream big’ in this dream? I didn't want to lose who I was. I continued to dream. Try to change things. At the snap of the referee’s fingers, and in the middle of the boxing ring my boyfriend and I transformed into glamorous drag queens. RuPaul of drag race fame appeared as the referee and shouted, ‘Category is Animal!’ We strutted our stuff in the center of the boxing ring accompanied by Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and the director of the movie. I don’t remember his name. Drag queens Pandora Box and Jujube were dressed like Siamese cats and were also walking down the center of the boxing ring. Robert De Niro strolled out in a beautiful full-length zebra print dress. He had on a black ponytail with accessories of red earrings and a matching red leather bag. He sported red pumps and when RuPaul said ‘Sissy that walk’, he was a true sissy. The crowd roared. Now Joe Pesci sprung out in an orange and brown rooster pantsuit. He donned a hat of various colors which represented all the feathers of a rooster. Not to be undone, Sugar Ray Robinson jumped in the ring. He wore a slinky black pantsuit with hoofs like a bull. He had an actual ring in his nose. He wore a blonde bouffant wig. Oh, oh I forgot to tell you what I had on. I was a unicorn in an all-white leotard with fringes of purple, pink, blue, red, yellow, and green hanging from my sleeves and a mock tail of fringes of the same colors. I won the challenge and received a $5000 tip. Big dreams do come true! All you have to do is remember the principles. One, Two, Three, Four Five. My dream was quite bizarre. I guess I shouldn't have smashed two more pieces of that chocolate cake last night.” Jason laughed and took a bow. Everybody cheered.
By Saja Bo Storm3 years ago in Fiction
Dream Sequence
Dream 4: I Think, Therefore I Dream “Are you awake, or are we dreaming?” Ernesto Rodriguez laughed. “Descartes, the great thinker and philosopher of ‘I think, therefore I am’ fame believed that you guys all seven of you may be dreaming now with me, or even existing in my dream. I hope you don't mind if I sit down in my Papasan chair and relax. This dream hit me hard emotionally. I hadn’t anticipated that I could be brought to tears by a dream, but it stirred up old memories and tore me apart, but I will still share it with you. Perhaps the telling of my dream will be cathartic. I really hope Descartes is right… that we are now dreaming because my ‘woke’ life is no joke. In my dream, I found myself back in Buena Vista on November the 1st and 2nd honoring the dead. Dia de Los Muertos… The Day of the Dead. The image of the Mexican holiday includes skeletons which give people who aren’t familiar the idea that it’s associated with the American holiday of Halloween. It’s actually to honor the dead. November 1st for children and November 2nd for adults. When I lost my first and only love, Alexandra Cortez five years ago in a tragic car accident. I was the driver. Ernesto slumped his shoulders and placed his head in his hands. He looked up and shouted “‘She was the love of my life. That was our wedding day! I lost control of the car. Ay Dios Mio. Why was I saved from death’s grip?” He wiped back the tears and pushed up out of the chair and sat down criss crossing his angular legs. He brushed pushed his hair out of his eyes and continued. “I apologize, people. You too, voice from the speaker.” He cleared his throat. “So, in my dream I placed the marigolds on her grave. Marigolds are called Flor de Muerto. The flower of the dead attracts the souls of the dead. Marigolds are vibrant and represent an aura of encouragement and uplifting feelings. I also placed her favorite foods beside the flowers. I used my abuela’s recipe for Chipotle Carne Guisada. You can serve this smoky beef with tortillas or rice. And my Madre’s recipe for Arroz Con Leche which is rice pudding. When I cook this dish, (we had it almost every Wednesday) we got together at my place to watch her favorite movies. He smiled. “Well, in my dream I sat on the soft cool ground and downed a hit of tequila. The breeze blew strongly causing me to pull my jacket closer around to my body. I felt someone place a scarf around my neck. The multicolored scarf felt soft against my cheek. I had given the same scarf to Alexandra on our first anniversary. An image of my Alexandra appeared before me. She held a fresh bouquet of marigolds in her petite hands. She still had the engagement and wedding rings on her finger. When I opened my mouth to speak, she placed her fingers on my lips to silence me. She sat down and her eyes commanded me to sit beside her. No words were spoken. We watched the stars in the dark sky and remained in each other’s arms until daybreak. When I opened my eyes, she was gone.” Ernesto stood there quietly. When no one reacted, he yelled. “Are you guys awake or are we dreaming?” Ernesto chuckled. No one moved for everyone was moved. “Mr. Rodriguez, the voice from the speaker interrupted. First of all, sorry for your loss. Surely, you think, therefore you dream. By the way, that's a lovely scarf you're wearing.” Ernesto gasped as he grabbed his neck and felt the smooth silk of Alexandra’s scarf.
By Saja Bo Storm3 years ago in Fiction