Dream Sequence
Dream 4: I Think, Therefore I Dream
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.
Ernesto kissed the scarf and sobbed. Until we meet again, my love. The other members of the dream study team swarmed around him offering up a group hug.
Coming Soon Dream Five: Dream Big
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Dream Sequence
Dream 3: The American Dream Dr. Aiden Moon pushed off his black exercise ball chair and immediately began telling the details of his dream without encouragement from the voice of the speaker. “My parents, Ara and Kyong Moon were Korean immigrants who migrated to America ‘fresh off the boat’ in the hopes of attaining the American dream. My interpretation of that dream clashed fiercely with their ideology. I think the main problem centered around our different philosophies of how to attain success and the American Dream. They believed that I should be educated and pursue the fields of study which would lead me to careers in the fields of medicine, business, or law. Deep down in my soul though, I'd always wanted to be a chef. They vehemently protested my desires even though I had worked in their restaurants from the early age of seven. They also cautioned me concerning my temperament as an American, they told me to ignore and rise above any form of racism whether subtle or overt. I worked hard during the day and became a surgeon at a prestigious hospital in New York. On my days off, I stayed up preparing meals for the enjoyment of my family and friends.” He noticed the audience and the other seven members of the dream study shifted in their seats. Someone coughed, another cleared his throat and when he heard the long-winded sigh, he changed the subject. “How many of you enjoyed the vegetable egg rolls I prepared for you.? Ok. I get it! Time to get down to business.” He clapped his hands together and began his dream story. “In my dream, my halmeoni (grandmother) Aera Park stood at the kitchen table all four feet and two inches mixing sea salt and water until it dissolved. She then poured it over the Napa cabbage and summoned me over to mix it together with my hands. I wasn't an adult in my dream, but my grandmother had passed when I was 10 years old. She lived with my parents and me and only spoke Korean. My younger brother and sisters were quite young when she left us. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed this strangely suspicious and bulky package covered with brown paper. There were postage stamps from a foreign region. I looked back to see that my grandmother was diligently blending the onion, garlic and mixing the red pepper powder and green onions. I asked her in Korean, ‘did this delivery come from overseas?’ She winked at me and combined the ingredients of spices and aromatics with the cabbage she had placed in a large Mason jar. ‘Open it, aleumdaun sonja yeoll-eo kiva’ she whispered. I blushed at her compliment about my handsomeness and grabbed the package. I opened it gingerly and revealed a genuine Korean kitchen knife. The large knife had been made from the traditions of the region where it was hand forged. It appeared crude, rough but handy as a sharp vegetable knife. He turned it over and over admiring its artistry. ‘It will give a warm rustic touch to any cooking atmosphere.’ It was forged in Anseong, a South Korean city where stone and iron craft artisans worked throughout the region. “When I awakened from my dream, I was empty-handed, but it reinforced my concept of success as a Korean- American.” Now I'm ready to go to culinary school. Moon rushed back and positioned his slim body on the exercise ball. He believed that his American dream would begin today. Afterall, the American Dream can be attained by anyone from anywhere. Just reach for it and its yours. Static from the speaker crackled and then the voice from the speaker chimed in, “Dr. Moon, I’m afraid you began without permission and have not been recorded. You have to retell your dream story. Moon sighed, “the American dream doesn't easily come by easily. If you fail, remember to try and try and try again.”
By Saja Bo Storm3 years ago in Fiction
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