Chapter 8: Peering into the Eyes of Success

(Beth's POV)

He just drives off. Not even acknowledging that I waved moments before. Why? Also, why is he giving me a driver to take me to and from work? Why did he act so strange earlier when business was mentioned? At the time, it looked like he was squirming. Uncomfortable even. What doesn’t he want me to know?

As he disappears in the distance, I start to make my way inside and upstairs. This will be good for me. I will have to have a conversation with Clara about my traveling a lot. I am excited and also worried. This is new. The last large event in my life was moving into Clara’s apartment about three years ago.

After a long and very hot bath to calm my nerves, I ate a plate of food and decide to turn in early for the night. Clara was already gone for work. I will talk to her later or tomorrow.

Maybe I could simply go to sleep early and rest tonight! That is a wonderful idea. I set my phone and the number Anthony gave me earlier on my bedside table. Sleep. That is simple enough.

Staring at the ceiling several hours later, I am still awake and irritated. So, I get up and head back to the medicine cabinet. Melatonin. Oh, where are you melatonin? Clara always warns me that this stuff is potent and if I’m not used to it, it can cause nightmares. But honestly, how bad could it be?

I am not at all concerned. I just to want sleep. Within fifteen minutes, I can feel the melatonin already working and it pleases me to know that I’ll be successful and sleep well tonight. Hah! Beat that insomnia!

After taking the sleepy medicine, my body found my bed much more comfortable. Everything got a lot heavier, and I felt like I was melting into the blankets and pillows. Sleep came willingly.

**** Dream****

“Dad. Dad? Where are you? I got some exciting news today from my guidance counselor at school!” I call out to my father. I don’t know where he is though. Hopefully not drinking still…

I search through the whole house and can’t find him. I don’t know where he is. He’s home. He must be. The phone rings. I don’t want to answer it. I already know how this story ends. Please don’t make me answer it. Please don’t. I don’t want to answer it.

Nonetheless, my legs carry me over to the phone and I pick it up all the while screaming no. I’m forced to listen to the woman at the hospital tell me dad tried driving while intoxicated and drove off a bridge by mistake because he couldn’t keep the car in his lane. My only saving grace was that he missed any innocent people and other cars.

Flash forward and I’m graduating high school.

For my graduation night, I spent it sitting at dad’s grave, tears smudging makeup down my face. Normally, I wake up at this point crying. But as I sit there on dad’s grave someone walks up to me.

She’s dressed beautifully in a flowing black dress, her chestnut brown hair curled and wrapped elegantly with hairpins I could never afford around her round face. Her beauty and confidence surprise me but I can’t see her face until she’s in front of me.

I stare into familiar hazel eyes that seem unfairly kind given my situation. “Get up, Bethany. This moment does not define you. Stand up and wipe the tears from your eyes.” Her voice sounded so familiar. How do I know her? I look up at her as I stand.

Staring back at me was…me. She pulls me up to stand properly before her. She looks older than my eighteen-year-old self. Maybe closer to thirty.

“Stand tall and do not let this define us, Bethany. You are better than that. You put up with years of neglect and abuse due to his drinking. Why are you crumbling now? This is only the beginning of your story. Head high and proud. Show the world what you’re made of.” She says to me, pulling me out of the graveyard.

I protest at first but follow along after giving up the fight. After a few moments, I glance behind me to see the graveyard gone. The small town in Texas has vanished. As if it never existed in the first place.

She walks me up a street and I’m standing in front of Midnight Spirits. Her hands are on my shoulders, red-stained lips near my ear. “This, Bethany. This is your legacy. Go. Chase after your adventure. Make whatever you want yours. Who’s going to stop you? Who can even make you?” She murmured before vanishing with the cool Chicago breeze.

I stand at the doors with a decision. She is right. I can’t turn around. My life was terrible, but it can be wonderful now. No need to fear. As I step through the club doors, all goes dark.

**** End Dream****

I shoot out of bed hearing my phone ringing in the dark. Flailing around for it, I realize at some point I’ve tossed it onto the floor. Clara. Clara is calling. She never calls on her break unless she has gossip to tell me.

“Yes, Clara?” I gasp slightly into the phone.

Worry for me immediately distracts her from her previous thoughts. “Beth? Beth are you okay? Did I scare you? You sound out of breath. Were you f*cking someone?” Why is that the first thought she has?

Rolling my eyes, I take a deep breath and reply. “Yes, I’m okay. Your melatonin just kicked my *ss. No, you didn’t scare me. I scared myself. And no, Clara, I wasn’t having sex. Why would you wonder that?”

She laughs a full obnoxious sound. “My melatonin? Beth! That stuff is more than melatonin. How much did you take?”

Of course, she finds it funny. “Only what the bottle said. Two pills, I believe.”

She says something to someone near her and finally answers back. “Never mind. You go back to sleep. You are fine. Glad to know that my sleeping medicine works for you.” She sounds almost smug.

“Hey, while I’m awake, I have some stuff I need to talk to you about when you get home. I accepted that job offer, and I will be traveling all over the country.” I yawn into the phone, my jaw popping in the process.

“Sounds good, Beth. I’m really happy for you! Now if only I could get that traveling nurse position and we’d both be set. Now go back to sleep. I’m sure more interesting dreams await.” She makes a snorting noise and I realize she’s had me on speakerphone this whole time. Yay… Thanks, Clara. Appreciate it.

She hangs up and I decide to go lay on the couch and watch tv until sleep pulls me back under. Only to have Mr. Hamilton, Clara’s overweight cat, jump onto the couch and knead his claws into my chest happily. Well, could be worse, at least I have a snuggle buddy now. Sleep starts to pull me back under not too long later as late-night talk shows play in the background.

Before I fully fall under, successful me’s older voice continues to echo throughout my mind. Get up, Bethany. This moment does not define you…. Maybe I can do anything I want. An honest free-spirited smile fills my face as Mr. Hamilton purrs contentedly.