Today’s antics have worn me down. I slide on my jammie pants and force my legs to propel me into the adjoining bathroom. I hop on its icy tiles like a lame firewalker to the basin sink.

Damn, do I look haggard.

Baggy bloodshot eyes. Sunken cheeks. I lean down into the sink and spit the spent toothpaste out. A couple of swishes for good measure and back up to blot the lips clean.

“Huh?”

I lean in closer to the glass. A thin wisp of white snakes around the foot of my bed in the mirror. Bit by bit, they intertwine and merge into a vaporous mass. I attempt to speak. My words get caught up in a cloud in the chilly air.

My advance needs to be a cautious one. The tile now feels warm under my numb toes. I clasp my arms around my chest, doing my best to hold in whatever body heat I can manage.

“Hello?”

The cloud drifts to the writing desk adjacent to my night stand and congeals into an hourglass form.

“Evelyn?” The wood flooring’s warmth welcomes me. “Is that you?”

Slowly, her blouse and dress come into focus. White blouse, black dress.

“Your hair looks nice.”

Her translucent lips crack into a grin. She extends her hands down to the open chair.

“All right.” I slide into the seat and await further instruction. “What should I do?”

Evelyn’s pale digit points at my notebook and pen.

“Automatic writing?”

I could spend an eternity in the presence of her smile.

“How do you want to--?”

Her delicate manifestation falls into my lap and into my body. The sensation’s hard to describe. I suppose it’s kind of like wearing clothes that are too big on you. I can sense her hands farther back in my arms. Giggles escape me. I can’t control it. Our souls are one. Her urgency to communicate with me wrenches at my mind.

“Oh, sorry.”

I take deep breaths and go limp in the chair. She’s in complete control. Visions. Evelyn and I walk through waist-high grass in a fragrant meadow. Lavender. Daisies. Pungent pollen from the billowing dogwoods to our left. A pair of playful sparrows darts off into the clear skies. She takes me by a hand and leads me under a tall wild cherry tree. Evelyn’s soft hands caress my biceps in ginger strokes. Her long chestnut hair is pinned up in a bun behind her head. I’m lost deep within her smiling hazel eyes. She tilts her petit nose to one side and draws closer to me. Her fingers lace around mine. The warmth of her breath on my lips. Pure magic.

As the vision fades, I come around again to discover the top page in my notebook to be full. The handwriting is too flowing and girly. The blood flows back into my extremities and face.

“No, Evelyn.” My eyes bounce around in a panic. “Don’t go. Not yet.”

Why does it always seem to happen like this?

I pick up the notebook and strike a candle:

Dearest Sean,

When I first saw you here, I knew that you were different. You were not like the others. I reached out to you in your dreams. It was the only way I knew of at the time. Nevertheless, I found you. Fate has brought us together at this time, in this place. Your eyes. Your spirit! Your very presence dissolves my deepest of despairs. I am yours, Sean.

Love always,

Evelyn

Heavy eyelids. I can only take so much. Not enough energy. Wish I had more.