Thursday, May 7, 2009

Another Old Regret?

I didn't get much sleep last night. I spent most of it tossing and turning. It must have been around 5am when I finally fell asleep.
What dreams I had, I can scarcely remember. One scene, however, stands out starkly in my mind. I came home to an empty house, as the rest of the family had gone out to dinner without me. Not an uncommon occurrence back when I was working. I'm not above cooking for one, but in this dream I decided to go out to eat.
The restaurant wasn't much more than a white booth with a kitchen inside and some tables outside, covered in checkered plastic tablecloths. The kitchen staff was entirely latino, as it can be in these parts. They responded to my order in spanish, and spoke among themselves in that language.
Looking back, there was a young man with black rimmed glasses sitting at one of the tables. I didn't have to be told to know he was my half-brother. How I knew was something I didn't understand. There were no introductions. I sat down next to him and he asked me about our father. He wanted to know what kind of man he was.
So I told him. He wasn't fazed at all, a smirk appearing on his face. It reminded me of my father's, and I felt a strong inclination to punch him. I can't remember at all what happens next. We sat and talked some more, but I cannot remember the words or anything about what was said next before I woke up.
What disturbs me most about this dream is, a few years ago, my mother was approached by a woman. She allegedly had a daughter with whatshisface, which would make her my half-sister. Apparently she wanted to meet my siblings and I. My mother turned her away. I had the feeling she struggled with herself over whether to tell us or not, but she had in the end. She made her feelings quite clear, that we're all the family we need and didn't need anyone else. She asked us if we really wanted to meet with any of his other children. My sister answered in the negative right away, speaking for all of us. I had my reservations, but I knew it would only upset my mother, so I kept quiet.
Still, it bothered me for awhile. I had a half-sister out there. How much does she know? About him? About my family? She wanted to reach out, why? I don't know if there would be anything sinister in that, though with anything concerning my father, I have to be cautious.
Hm. I just remembered almost a decade ago my mother mentioning my father possibly having another son out there as well. I don't think he would be as old as the young man in my dream, but there is the possibility that there is one out there.
I feel a strong urge to talk about this with someone. I could go to my sister, but she'll doubtless report to my mother about it as close as they are. If I'm going to do that, I may as well speak about it to both of them directly. Even so, it's not going to be a pleasant topic of discussion.
Why couldn't that bastard have just kept it zipped?

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

He Who Hesitates...

I should have started this sooner. As it is, it's hanging on the edge of my memory, like a piece of dry ice burning off into haze. I don't remember much of it at all, but I do remember a few things.
I was sneaking around a building. From the wood paneling and marble floors, it felt like some kind of mansion. I've never really been inside one, but that's the feeling I got. I exited a hallway and entered a room, starting down some steps when a piece of the wall in front of me swung open to reveal a hidden passageway. I stepped inside, noticing that it had a lot of polish for a secret hallway. The hardwood floors and walls were varnished. I don't know if one is supposed to be able to smell in a dream, but I got the impression of a musky odor, as if this place hadn't been opened in decades.
I soon came to a window with a view of a boardroom. A bunch of guys in suits were sitting around a table, listening to one of their number as he pointed at a projection along the far wall. I couldn't make out what was on the screen, but they stared him with rapt attention. I couldn't hear what was being said through the glass, but I was able to get a good look at the speaker.
He looked to be in his late twenties, in a charcoal suit with pinstripes. In spite of his age, his hair was starkly grayed and immaculately groomed. His eyes were the same color. They looked right at me through the window and I stepped back, surprised. I practically ran back down the passage, hoping not to get caught.
I seem to have forgotten a lot of what happened next, but the next thing I remember, I was still running. Except this time it was at night. I stopped behind of some kind of formal gathering, guys in tuxedos were chatting with each other and women in evening gowns. They didn't seem to notice me.
The party was gathered on a kind of patio made up of dark cobble stones. It was seated inside the lip of a canyon, it's walls rising up around the area. The giant wall of earth turned in a right angle about a mile away. And on the other leg of that angle, resting on a shelf of the cliff face, stood a large castle-like structure that seemed eerily familiar.
The stars shined overhead, standing out in the navy blue sky. I couldn't see the moon, but it must have been full. The area was bathed in it's light.
A voice beckoned, and I looked over to see a young woman in a form fitting black dress. The thin straps left her shoulders and collarbone bare, and the slits on either side of her dress reached to mid thigh showing off her legs. They were nice legs.
I don't recall the color of her eyes, but her hair tumbled down in crimson waves. Think Jessica Rabbit, that is if she was a b-cup and wore her hair out of her eyes. She took a step my way and I walked over to meet her. Her smile and manner suggested a friendship, though not a close one. She spoke to me, looking over to the 'castle' in the distance. I can barely remember hearing her voice, but the words "my daughter" stand out in my mind. I don't remember anything that happened afterward except opening my eyes and squinting against the sun.
Looking back, I think I know where my sub-conscious picked up that mansion. It was the First City Bank and Trust from Thief II. Which doesn't make any sense at all, as I haven't played that game in months.
I don't know any redheads anyways...