Harsh Dreams

I woke up!

I exclaimed, blinking against the morning light flooding my room. The dream felt so real, and for a moment, I struggled to separate it from reality. My heart raced as I remembered Amour's warm smile and the promise she made.

I sat up, still feeling the lingering warmth of her presence. Could it all have been just a dream?

I really felt like everything that happened was true. Every moment, every word she said—it all felt so real, as if she had been right there with me. The warmth of her hug, the way she smiled, the way she faded with the sunrise—it wasn't just some dream. It felt like I had truly lived it. Even now, sitting here awake, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Amour was real, and somehow, I'd see her again.

Whatever it was, I brushed it off and got back to my daily routine. I took a bath, put on my uniform, and locked the door behind me as I headed out for work. The world outside was the same as always, but something inside me felt different, like a part of me was still waiting for her.

During the daytime, I walked past the grave, half-expecting something strange, but everything looked normal. There were no signs that anything had happened last night. After all, it was just a dream, I assured myself. Still, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder if it was more than that.

Then I kept walking, reached my office, greeted my co-workers, and sat down to begin work. My job was in a printing press, common for those days in Ireland. We printed newspapers, posters, and advertisements, keeping people informed in a time when the economy was rough, especially after the trade war with Britain. I usually found the work interesting, seeing how news traveled and how quickly things changed. But today, something felt off. Even with the hum of the machines and the smell of fresh ink, my mind kept drifting back to last night, to Amour. Something was still bothering me, a feeling I couldn't shake.

I tried to focus, shuffling papers and adjusting the printing plates, but my mind was somewhere else. Every sound around me seemed distant, like I was still in some part of that dream. My co-workers were busy talking about the latest news, but their voices mixed together like a jumble of sounds. I tried really hard to focus on my work, but all I could think about was Amour—her beautiful smile that faded away and her promise to come back. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, but the memory of her stayed with me like a shadow, making it really hard to concentrate.

I shuffled through the pile of papers on my desk, trying hard to forget everything else. My hands worked on their own, adjusting the printing plates and getting the next set ready to go through the press. The smell of ink filled the room, and the machines made their usual whirring sounds that normally calmed me. I checked the layout again, making sure everything was in place. I was used to this routine—setting the type, handling the heavy sheets of paper, and watching the presses work smoothly. But today, it felt like I was just going through the motions.

After a while, I took a break, stepping outside to get some fresh air. The cool breeze felt refreshing against my skin, pulling me back to reality. I walked along the cobblestone streets of the city, observing the hustle and bustle around me. People chatted, children played, and vendors shouted their wares, creating a lively atmosphere. Yet, despite the vibrant energy of the day, a part of me felt detached, like I was watching everything unfold from a distance. I grabbed a quick bite from a nearby bakery, the warm bread filling my stomach, but it did little to ease the heaviness in my heart. I returned to the office, determined to finish my tasks for the day and head home, hoping that the evening might bring something different.

I went back to the office, trying to forget the strange feelings from earlier. As I sat down, my friend Liam walked in, looking cheerful. "Hey! You look like you've seen a ghost!" he joked, sitting on my desk.

"Just a long day," I replied, forcing a smile.

"Long day? Or were you daydreaming?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You've been staring into space like you're lost in a story."

I shrugged, not wanting to explain about Amour. "Just work stuff, you know?"

Liam nodded. "Well, if you need a break, let's grab a drink after work. We can talk about anything."

"Yeah, that sounds good," I said, happy for the distraction. Spending time with him would help me relax.

The day moved on, but I looked forward to it after work. I tried to focus on my tasks, but my mind kept wandering. Finally, the clock struck five, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

"Ready to go?" Liam asked, peeking around my cubicle.

"Yep! Let's get out of here," I said, feeling excited.

We walked to a nearby café, where I could hear people chatting and cups clinking. I ordered a soda, and Liam got a coffee. We found a cozy corner table and sat down.

"So, what's going on? You've been acting a little strange today," Liam said, leaning in with a curious look.

I hesitated, not sure how to explain. "It's just… I had this strange dream last night. It felt so real."

"Tell me about it!" he urged, his eyes shining with curiosity.

I took a deep breath and started to tell him about Amour, her beautiful presence, and how she faded away at dawn. Liam listened closely, occasionally making jokes that made me laugh.

"No way! A ghost girl? That sounds like a movie!" he said. "So, are you in love with her or something?"

I shrugged, feeling a little shy. "I don't know. It was just a dream, but it felt real. It's hard to explain."

"Hey, dreams can be powerful! Maybe they mean something," Liam said with a comforting smile. "But seriously, you need to get out more and meet some real girls."

I laughed, glad for his attempt to cheer me up. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

As we talked and joked, the weight in my heart began to lift. It felt nice just to enjoy time with a good friend.

We shared more stories and laughed about random things. I appreciated the distraction, but soon Liam looked at his watch and sighed. "I really should get going. The kids will be waiting for me to help with their homework, and my wife is probably wondering where I am."

"Yeah, I get it," I said, feeling a bit jealous. "You've got a whole family waiting for you, and I'm just… here." I tried to sound casual, but sometimes being single felt lonely.

"Hey, being single isn't so bad," Liam said as he stood up and stretched. "You have the freedom to figure things out for yourself. Just don't spend too much time daydreaming about ghost girls, okay?"

I laughed, grateful for his effort to lift my spirits. "I'll try not to. Have fun with your family!"

"Will do! Let's meet up again soon, okay?" he said, waving as he left.

As I watched him go, I noticed the sun had set, and the sky was getting dark. The busy streets were lit by streetlights, and I felt a familiar pull to go home.

I stood up, finished my drink, and left the café. The cool evening air reminded me of the promise I made to Amour. I needed to get back home.

WILL SHE RETURN?