Dead Dreams by Emma Right

that walked through Stay Fit’s doors. At the rate I was going without sleep, I doubted my mind could function at full capacity, even if caffeine were intravenously injected into me. I couldn’t say I didn’t welcome the idea of sleeping in, being a natural night owl.
    I scripted out my excuse to Thao, my office manager, about resigning. She was going to be pissed, even if I offered to stay till the end of the day. If Peter wasn’t there, I might never get a chance to say good-bye to him—a pity, since I considered him a good friend. And once I left without so much as a farewell, he’d probably never want to speak to me again.
    Before I left for work, my cell phone buzzed. Who would call me at five a.m.? I didn’t recognize the number, but with all that was happening, I picked up the call. It could be Jim reaching me from his home phone.
    “Brianna?” The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t put a face to it.
    “Yes?”
    “It’s Pastor Perry.” His voice sounded hoarse.
    Trust him to call at an unearthly hour. “Yes?”
    “I’m sorry to call so early, but something terrible has happened, and your mother wanted me to reach you, since she couldn’t use her phone in the ICU.”
    “ICU? What…?”
    “It’s your dad.”
    My heart froze. It practically stopped altogether. “What about my dad?”
    “He’s had a heart attack.”
    I sucked in my breath. My worst fears. “How’s he now?” My throat constricted, and my mouth felt dry.
    “The doctors think he also suffered a stroke, but they can only confirm that later. They believe he has some pressure building in his brain. I will only know the details as—”
    “Is he conscious? Is he? ” My mind couldn’t accept the words spoken to me but my hand grabbed my yellow duffel off the leather sofa and made for the door. Then, it hit me: how would this affect my plan with Sarah? Her bedroom door was still closed. She’d probably still be asleep. We’d talked about details till late. Should I tell her everything was off? What was I thinking when I agreed?
    Pastor Perry said, “I’m afraid your dad’s in a coma. He’s rambling, sometimes.”
    “Where is he?”
    “Palo Alto Medical.”
    That was where he worked half the time when he was not in his own clinic. “So, he wouldn’t recognize me if I were there?”
    “I’m afraid not. But, your mother would appreciate your coming. Lilly’s home, with Lupe. Your mother didn’t want Lilly to worry, but she could do with your company. We couldn’t reach Keith.”
    I nodded, as if Pastor Perry could see me.
    “Brianna? You there?” he asked.
    “Yes, yes.”
    “I can come over and pick you up.”
    “No. I’ll drive over.”
    “Maybe Mrs. Michaels and I can visit you in that new apartment one of these days.”
    “Sure.” What else could I say? His wife, Jane, was a decent person. Besides, I’d be gone after tomorrow— if I could muster the courage to leave, despite Dad’s condition. “Give me an hour,” I said, and hung up before he could protest.
    I’d never prayed before, not like this, but I wanted to see Daddy before I disappeared. I said a quick plea: “God if you’re out there, keep my father alive.” Would Dad last long enough for me to see him—maybe for the last time? That Lilly was still home was a good indication that Mom thought he’d hang in there. Otherwise, she would’ve insisted Lilly went with her. Mom was that way.
    This turn of events meant I now had a good reason to give Thao my resignation. Dad was ill, and I needed to be flexible, so better to resign, I’d say.
    Perfect. I’d use it on Starbucks, too. I half-hoped Pete wouldn’t be at Stay Fit. It was hard to lie to a nice person, especially to someone who might like me too much. Sarah had insisted she’d dropped off her payment to Jim because I had wondered if he was upset with us for not paying, hence the cold-shoulder. I wished I could have thanked him personally, especially since I’d never heard