Dreamer - Savannah Campbell (ready player one ebook txt) 📗

though? I wanted to take the day for some me time before Dr. Bingham needs her doctorate student minion in a few days.” Irene replies.

                Hester’s voice takes on an air of sophistication generally only used toward or by her parents. “Well since you asked, yes, there is something I need. I need you to sacrifice some of that ‘me time’ to come visit for at least lunch and a preview of yours truly’s newest gallery show.”

                Irene smiles. Even though Hester is the daughter of the richest man and CEO of seven banks located in the county, she has made herself known on her own terms through various art shows. One of last year’s included predominantly oil paintings, but it’s always anyone’s guess as to what it which medium Hester would use next.

                “You know you don’t have to have gallery shows for money. You’re a von Ehrenberg, anything you want can be financially accessed via a quick phone call and besides, your trust fund will be released this fall.”

                “I know both of those facts Ms. Analyzer, I know I don’t need the money or name recognition, I just like to have some things that I make for myself, notoriety or disposable income or whatever I choose. And besides, who chooses 28 as the age for a trust to be accessed?”

                “I don’t know, it’s a fairly responsible age for some people. Or it could be the date your parents married years ago, the number of generations the family has lived in Darrington, or…” Irene trails off.

                Hester interrupts her. “Okay okay, I get it. So are we on for lunch later today or not?”

                “Sure, I guess I could make the tiring hour drive to my beloved hometown a bit. You’re buying lunch though right?” Irene grins, a sappy, pleading tone to her voice. “I’m a poor student whose university budget financed job doesn’t start again for another week.”

                Hester laughs at her attempts to play the pitiful card but she agrees and the young women agree to meet at the town’s diner at 1pm.

                Hours later, they are sharing a slice of the diner’s well known and well-loved chocolate layer cake. The local restaurant’s head chef used to work at a fancy New York City bistro. When its owners downsized years before, he threw a dart at a map and drove to the town it landed near, taking his handcrafted recipes with him. His desserts are the most popular since Tuscan inspired tomato soup and vegetable quiche haven’t really caught on with the locals.

                “So do you still hear from the infamous Geoff?” Hester asks with a knowing smile that Irene doesn’t try to analyze the meaning behind.

                “We email each other when we can if that is what you mean. He’s halfway through med school and is already trying to find a place in which to do his residency.” The detail about his residency search surprised Irene weeks. She almost can’t believe that the boy who always wanted her help on assignments is now planning is own future in a responsible way.

                “It’s almost kind of cliché you know? The two co-valedictorians of our high school class both becoming doctors.”

                “Technically I’m only getting a doctorate and seriously of the two of us which would you rather have on hand if you were to have a coronary right here, right now.”

                Hester gives her a leering glance. “Based on looks alone, I’m going to go with Geoff. I mean Irene, no offense but you’re not my type because you have the wrong plumbing structure.”

                “None taken, I’ll still be nearby though in case you wanted to discuss how having the medical episode made you feel and what your mindset is now that you’ve had a major health problem.” Irene jokes back with a faux concerned nod of a therapist.

                “Perfect. Shall we go to the gallery then?”

                Irene nods as they each leave a tip for their server before leaving.

                Hester’s gallery is located in an abandoned sundry store on one of Darrington’s main streets. The store had been closed for decades but she had convinced her parents to let her modernize and remodel it for her own personal use. She agreed to let them take the money out of her trust to finance her efforts. The fund had earned considerable interest over the years thanks to her father’s worldwide connections and his knowledge of banking. The bit taken out of it for the gallery turned insignificant in the long run.

                Hester replaced the drably painted colors of the past with vibrant colors everywhere from the sign outside to every interior wall so that they echoed back to the 1960s and 70s. Some people in town later expressed wonders about if the artist who did the work had used some sort of chemical enhancement first beforehand.

                “That was a polite society way of asking ‘Did she do LSD or something similar before starting to paint?’” Hester had written when she emailed photos and a story about the building to Irene who was away at school when the gallery had opened.

                Since then, Hester has kept the business open on a semi regular basis for various events such as charity fundraisers her parents hold as well as the occasional wedding reception. She holds her own shows there a few times a year in order to display her newest pieces that were always themed in terms of medium she used to do them. She also lets local artists of all ages show their works free of charge in monthly exhibits and lets them take full commission on anything that sells.

                Hester’s newest exhibit she is showing Irene includes a set of ten drawings she sketched and colored with crayons. The subject matters in the sketches were very mature, some even quite graphic and not anything like the doodles a child using the same medium would do. Irene thinks it was very smart though of Hester to use crayons to show that no matter how old we get and no matter how adult our life choices are, we still are kids at heart at times.

                “Actually the crayons were all I had to work with one day since I hadn’t replenished my supplies for the month yet. The first sketch turned out really well though so I thought why not run with the crayons as a theme.” Hester says happily.

                Irene nods, continuing to gaze at each picture. It’s been a good day with peace and relaxation. I just hope it was enough to prepare me for my next term. I’ve heard horror stories about how brutal the last two years of a Psy.D program are.  Irene doesn’t let her mind dwell on these worries, and instead focuses on Hester’s work, listening to her talk about possible ideas for the date and time of her next show.

January 2010       

                As she gets herself situated in her queen sized bed, Irene clears her mind of any thoughts lingering after her long day. She wants desperately for tonight to be one of the nights that she meets Hester at the café she subconsciously created years ago. On the rare occasion she needs a male prospective, she mentally puts Geoff there instead. Hours later, when her body enters that all too familiar REM stage and the first image she sees is a banner with a decoratively floral plate on it, she knows her ability is still strong and she’s succeeded. Huh, dream control is comparable to riding a bike maybe? Once I started I never forget?

                From here, it’s easy to control what’s done and what she says. She sits down at her favorite street-side table covered protectively from the sun by a parasol. Hester is already sitting in the chair opposite her. Part of her control over situations like this is having Hester arrive early. It’s something as rare as meeting a unicorn in conscious days and it gives me time to prepare my conversation topics beforehand.

                It’s here on this night (afternoon?) Irene plans to tell Hester about her nerves that have begun to multiply tenfold. She’s noticed herself becoming increasing anxious since scheduling an interview for the assistant director of the child and family counseling clinic operated at their town’s community college. Irene believes the job was an extremely lucky find and a definite case of right place-right time. It’s sad truth that the former assistant director left suddenly following a combination of family emergencies but it makes Irene very nervous to think about her first interview after successfully defending her dissertation.

                Irene sighs with relief as she walks toward Hester at the table. This is my place for relaxing; she recalls her reasons for the setting’s creation. At Sophia’s Café, she can say anything she wants without fear. Geoff has lightened up on his prodding for life details outside her dreams. She has started to give in as much as her comfort allows. Hester always acknowledges the quietness without too many comments. Irene does have her moments where she worries about if they knew more about her psyche. It’s not that they would judge her for anything she says, they’ve known her long enough that they are comfortable around her. It’s just she really doesn’t feel at all at ease giving out these details until they get approval at Sophia’s.

                Hester smiles broadly at her, mentioning that she already bought them each a strawberry croissant; drinks are Irene’s choice today.

                “Thanks Hes, I appreciate it. Frozen hot chocolate sound good?”

                “Always. Now what did you need my expertly developed advice on today?” Hester asks, making a serious face.

                Irene smiles. That’s another part of these planned meetings. When she meets someone at the table, the person already knows that she needs to talk to them in someway. Like last year when she reviewed her dissertation idea with Geoff. Or last month when she was making the decision to come back home after graduation and Hester assured her a calm transition into working full time was a good thing.

                “Okay. Here’s the thing. I really didn’t think I’d be so lucky to have this happen but I applied for a job with the community college’s psychology clinic about a week after getting back home. They’ve already called for an interview. I want your honest opinion. Do you think I’m a good fit for the job or am I making a mistake in even going in to interview?”

                Hester doesn’t even hesitate. “Irene, dear Irene, you are the smartest woman I know in all things psychology and probably other things too. I’m not sure about the latter since you only really help me in the former subject but still. My point is you’d be amazing at anything you do, this job is no exception. What would you be doing?”

                The young women’s drinks and pastries arrive. After thanking the server, Irene describes the job. Hester nods emphatically until she finishes and then replies with confidence in her friend. Irene then asks an even bigger favor—would she be willing to coach her, sort of give her non-traditional, mock interview questions that have the potential to throw her off if given next week. Hester’s broad smile returns. She enthusiastically agrees and immediately asks one of the questions.

                The question and answer session continues and their voices fade out once Irene begins to slowly wake herself up. Her confidence grows as she walks over to her closet. As looks at her chocies, she remembers how thrilled her parents were when she mentioned coming back home to stay for a while. Irene vowed to them that she would not be a burden and only stay until she found herself at least a part time job.

                Her mom had shushed her, reassuring her that any time that she stayed with them would be a blessing no matter how long or short. Her dad agreed, telling her that he was so proud of her in all