The Reality of Dreaming - Joy Barnes (best fiction novels to read txt) 📗

purse and stuffed the money into it, grinning happily.
Running down the stars I practically ran right into Uncle Remmy. I yelled as his hand closed around my wrist. He scowled at me.
“And where are you going?” He demanded, his coarse voice practically a snarl.
“Just out with my friends. Nothing special, just walking around the mall, window shopping, maybe get a pizza.” I lied, hoping I was not a see through as I felt. He glared at me for a moment, then stumbled off to the couch to pass out. I hoped for a moment that he would get alcohol poisoning, but then I realized how cruel that thought was. After all, I would end up in an orphanage if he did. Maybe I should wait a few years to wish death upon my uncle!
I bolted out the door, happy just to be out of that house and away from the alcohol on Uncle Remmy's breath. I grabbed my bike and peddled furiously in the direction of the city bus stop. I was going horse riding.


The horse they gave me was a bay, and very pretty to look at. Her name was Azure, and she was so much fun to ride! Riding was just as I had expected it, and even better. The feel of such a strong, able-bodied, yet gentile animal beneath you is impossible to describe. The walk and trot are fun, enjoyable, but it is the canter that I love most. As Azure loped for me, I felt as if we had taken wing, her smooth gait was all that mattered, and it took away my daily stress. Even if it was temporary, I was grateful.


Back at home, Uncle Remmy was snoring. He snored loudly, but it didn't matter. I slipped up to my room, and locked the door. Today had been such a dream, and I wished that it would never end. As I put my pajamas on and slid into bed I made a fervent wish, I wish that I could slip away into my dream world, that I could just disappear into into it and never have to return. I turned out my light with a sigh, knowing that that was a wish that could never come true.


I glared at the light pouring from the strange object. I hated being woken up in the night, but this was just odd. The light seemed to just be floating in my room, an unknown object behind it. BANG! Something hard landed on the floor and the light was immediately extinguished. I stared at the middle of my floor.
A door now stood, with no help at all, in the middle of my room. It fit right in, a beautiful mahogany wood door, with entricitly carved patterns on it. The images were of horses, galloping, resting, riding, just about every image of a horse imaginable was there. I suddenly had an urge to open the door, and see what was beyond it. Probably just my dresser, though!
Even with my doubts, I was drawn to the strange door. I walked up to it, and put my hand on the knob, still unsure.
“What the hell is with all the NOISE!!!” Uncle Remmy burst into my room, having actually managed to bust the bolt from the frame. I panicked, opened the door and flew inside. I heard a soft whooshing noise, and Uncle Remmy banging on the other side of the door, then silence. I looked around, startled. Where was I? And then I knew. I was home.
My favorite house, a Victorian style mansion I had seen in a magazine once, stood in front of me. Three huge stables, complete with arenas, round pens and pasture land were just down a path. I could hear the ocean behind me. This was where I had always dreamed of living.
I stepped inside of the house, and it was furnished just how I like it. I ran back outside and down to the stables. I strode through to see all kinds of horses, each as happy to see me as I was to see them. And then I saw them, standing in a row outside. Phoenix, Phantom, Siren, Legacy, Skye and Liberty. These were the special horses I had dreamed up to fill the lonely spaces since my parent's death. Finally, my dreams had been fabricated.
I hugged each horse, taking it all in. Then, I walked slowly up to the mahogany door. It stood there waiting, as if I might want to go back, but now there was a key in the lock. I turned it, and the door disappeared. I jumped, startled. Could I never go back? The key still sat in my hand, and I knew I could if I wanted to. But I didn't, and I wouldn't. Why would I? There was nothing back there to live for, and here my life, a most wonderful life, was just beginning to unfold.


Imprint

Publication Date: 04-25-2010

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
This book is for my real live dreams come true. For Snowflake, Jazz, Red and Katy and any other horse who has helped me to realize my dreams.