Dream Sequence #6 - Susan Wingate, Writing Sample

When Plans Go Hinky!

I arrived at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix with a slug of books to sell in my hot little hands - hot because in June, Phoenix touts temperatures nearing 115 degrees Farenheit. The box was weighing me down, my spirit and my arms. I just wanted to find my luggage, get a car and slip in to my hotel room where I could rest. But, it didn't play out that way. It seems my "homies" from my life long ago there heard about my visit. The plans, an interview with ArizonaWebTV, would be filmed early the next morning at Barnes & Noble. Those were the plans.

First, Rod walked up to me and hugged me.

"Rob, it's great to see you. I didn't know you'd be hear." My surprise turned to dismay when his countenance went from happy to disgust. He was looking at the swath of my straggled hair hanging off my head. I hadn't had time to refresh, comb my hair, or brush my teeth. Like people will in dreams, he simply walked away - left the scene. Thankfully and immediately after Rod walked out, Leesa ran up to greet me.

"Leesa!" We'd worked together nearly twenty years before and she didn't look a day older than the last time I saw her. Her hair exquisitely styled (as usual) and her makeup polished and perfect. She acted like I looked the same as I did then but I could tell she was just being nice.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here. This is great."
"We need to get you to your hotel."
"That would be wonderful. I'm exhausted. Plus, I need to freshen up."

As I spoke with her, my hand dipped into my purse to find my reservations and my wallet. Neither item was anywhere to be found. She handed me her cell to call someone but I didn't know who to call. My wallet had vanished. With no driver's license I'd not be able to get my rent-a-car. Without my rent-a-car getting to the hotel proved a challenge. The hotel, twenty miles from the airport, was located only a block or two from Barnes & Noble so after making it to my hotel, walking to the interview shouldn't pose a problem. Leesa had to get back to work, pick up the kids from school, and fix dinner. Tom was out of town and couldn't help so she was not available to help me out of the pickle I'd gotten myself into. And, Rod had long since stepped out of the picture. My quandray was this, I could call my mother or husband, Ben, who really couldn't help me seeing as how they were both in Washington state, or - God forbid - I could call my ex-husband, David. My options were bleak.

"I've lost my wallet. Is there a chance you can help me out?" Explaining my circumstances to David gave him power over me... again. I'd need a car. He had an extra one. I'd need money. He offered to supply whatever I needed. Crap.

"Not a problem." But, it really was. I'd never be able to explain this to Ben. He'd be furious but I needed help now, not in a few hours, now, and I felt hog-tied.

I waited for four hours at the airport for David who never showed. I hitched a ride with a questionable cabby who offered to wait while I wired the money I owed him. The interview never took place, even after I'd pressed the interviewer to hold my spot. She'd tried to move me into another slot but after expressing the challenges that posed me - me not living in Phoenix, the extra cost to change my ticket, the fact my husband's birthday was the day before the new date - she held my slot and agreed to go through with the interview.

I didn't make the interview for an assortment of nightmarish reasons. The hotel room, when I finally got to it, was already occupied by people working a meth lab. I had to go to the bathroom, number two, sorely and didn't care who resided in my room. I'd call down to the lobby after my visit to the toilet. But, there was no door to the bathroom only a lone commode sitting in the middle of the room for everyone to see. The day folded in on itself until it became night. Leesa showed up again but could only commiserate. She couldn't really offer her services - a ride, money - that sort of thing.

When I woke, and realized this was merely a dream, I couldn't shake the sense of anxiety out of me. After, however, my first cup of tea, my mood lightened when I went to the restroom - everything was in its place - the door, toilet paper, the toilet itself - all in their places. After I relaxed, nature took its course and my thoughts settled on what the day might bring. The weather outside had turned gray from the sunny spot we'd lived only 24 hours before. Ben was missing in action, most likely dressed in rain gear and out at the golf course, the addict.

I decided right then to make a list of things to do before I leave for Phoenix - pack warm-weather clothing, clean out my purses and use the orange leather one for traveling, fix the dogs' food for four days worth of feedings, put my wallet and itinerary safely together. I'm still adding to the list. I have two days to organize my life. How daunting is that? Will everything go as planned? Who can say. Next week will bring with it new experiences even tragedies. I'll just hope for the best and press on.