Piper's Perfect Dream by Ahmet Zappa Page B

almost shyly.
    â€œI could,” Piper agreed, “but there’s another approach we can try, too.”
And maybe this one will work better,
she added to herself. “Close your eyes, and imagine you’re at the ocean.” She stopped. “Wait a minute,” she said to Olivia. “Do you even like the beach?”
    â€œLove it,” Olivia murmured.
    â€œOkay, so you’re standing on warm, smooth sand, looking out over the water. A light breeze ruffles your hair.”
    Piper thought she saw Olivia’s hair lift slightly from her pillow.
    â€œIt’s perfect,” Piper went on, “except that you’re holding a heavy backpack you can’t put down, because you’re afraid the tide will wash it away.”
    Olivia’s shoulders hunched.
    â€œNow each time a wave rolls onto the sand, one item disappears from your backpack. After it leaves, you feel stronger, less worried. Here comes the first wave…in…and…out.”
    Olivia’s shoulders rose the slightest bit.
    â€œAnd another wave…in…and…out, coming a little closer to your feet.”
    Each wave seemed to make Olivia’s load lighter. Each wave came a little closer. Finally, Piper told Olivia she was carrying nothing at all, and the water lapped at her feet, cleansing and purifying her mind.
    Olivia sighed happily. “Thank you, Piper.”
    â€œYou’re welcome, Olivia. But I’ll tell you something else that can make you feel better.”
    Olivia shifted to face her, still interested. “What?”
    â€œOpening up to others.” Piper held up a hand before Olivia could protest. “Opening up to people you trust can be a powerful force.” She felt sure that was one reason Olivia had bad dreams: she was holding all her worries inside, not telling a soul. And they were finding their way into her dreams.
    â€œThere is strength in vulnerability,” Piper went on, “and communicating emotions. It gives me so much energy I glow….I mean, I feel like I’m glowing. It would make you feel energized and strong.”
    Piper waited patiently. She knew Olivia was mulling this over. And maybe, just maybe, she’d confide in Piper. She’d talk about her concerns about the diner. Then they could come up with a solution together.
    When Olivia stayed quiet, Piper decided to change direction a bit. Maybe Olivia wanted to talk about the nightmares first.
    â€œAnd you know what else? Dreams are amazing windows into feelings,” she began. “They seem so real, because the emotions that drive them are real.”
    â€œAnd the feelings are intense!” Olivia put in. “They’re even stronger than when I’m awake, because—”
    â€œYour dream is so much more intense!”
    â€œThat’s it exactly!” Olivia said. “I mean, I can dream I’m in school, but the next moment I’m climbing Mount Everest. In real life, when I’m in school, I’m in school, and I can’t blink and find myself anywhere else.”
    Piper thought a moment. With enough wish energy manipulation practice, she could probably teleport from Halo Hall to the Crystal Mountains in the middle of Astral Accounting class. But it didn’t seem right to mention it to Olivia. Besides, she understood exactly what Olivia meant.
    â€œDreams make the impossible possible,” she said. “So they can be amazing and crazy and scary and wonderful all at the same time. Believe me, I know how powerful dreams can be. But you’re going to wake up. They can never really hurt you. In fact, they may be able to help you. They have meaning and can guide you.”
    â€œGrandma Rosie used to say something like that, that dreams are the windows to the soul.”
    â€œShe did?” Piper said, delighted. “I really wish I knew her.”
    A tear slid down Olivia’s cheek. “I really miss her. My parents are great and