Day Dreaming

The clock struck midnight, Catherine’s face twitched her arms resting, heavy and cumbersome, on her lap. She lifted her numb body off the leather chair. Slowly, painstakingly, she made her way to the window. Snow fell down in large clumps, each flake pausing before her as it passed the window.

The street was wet and shimmery, tall lights reflecting off of it in golden orbs. A car sped past and Catherine imagined herself inside. She flew down the slippery asphalt. Catherine pressed down on the gas pedal until she thought it might fall through the floor. Snow pelted the windshield, appearing then disappearing.

Catherine closed her eyes, her hands clutching the steering wheel. The feeling of freedom made her stomach churn. Faster and faster she went. She smiled and laughed, screamed with delight. The rapid thuds of the windshield wipers mixed with the crescendo of the song that was playing arose in her a euphoria she had not felt in a long time.

Soon enough, the car found its destination. A meadow spread out before her, yellow and gold, tall grass waving in the summer air. Catherine was no longer cold and the weather no longer gloomy. She left the car and stumbled into the grass. Catherine ran, her heart racing and legs bouncing. The tall plants tickling her feet. Eventually, she found a tree. A man was leaning against the trunk, reading.

“Hello Catherine,” he said as she approached. It was her neighbor, Frank McCloud. “I have something for you.”

He reached into his pocket and fumbled around. His hand surfaced, wrapped around something small and square. Catherine looked down at him, perplexed. He closed his book and set it aside. Shifting his weight, Frank moved onto his left knee and propped his right before him.

“My dear Catherine,” he said. “We have known each other for some time now, and although our parents may not approve of it, I know that I love you and that I will always love you.”

Tears formed in Catherine’s eyes.

“So, without further ado,” he continued. “Will you, beautiful, intelligent, too-good-for-me Cat, marry me, your awkward goofy neighbor?”

Catherine smiled her sheepish smile and nodded her head. Frank’s eyes lit up as he received her reply. In his excitement he dropped the ring. The couple laughed and fell to their knees, their hands frantically rummaging through the grass.

“Mrs. McCloud,” a far off voice said. “Mrs. McCloud, what are you doing on the floor?”

A hand clutched Catherine’s arm. She looked back to see a woman wearing scrubs. She was on her hand and knees below the window. 

“Let’s get you to bed. You need rest for your daughter’s visit tomorrow.”

Catherine found her way to her feet and looked at the woman quizzically. “My daughter?” she asked.

“Yes, your daughter, Annabelle.”

“I didn’t know I had a daughter,” she mumbled.

The woman sighed and guided her to the bed.

Drifting to sleep, Catherine saw the clock strike 12:01.