Bed of Roses

By Susan J.

Later that day I found myself on a plane headed towards Spain. During the flight I thought about Miguel. Why would I have a nightmare like that? What could Miguel have possibly gotten himself into? I closed my eyes to try to relax but the nightmare kept replaying in my mind. The stewardess passed by.

"Excuse me stewardess," I said.

"Yes ma'am?"

"When will we be arriving in Spain?"

he looked at her watch. "We should be arriving in one hour."

"Thank you."

When the plane landed awhile later, I got my suitcase and left in a cab. As we rode along the city streets I couldn't believe how much I missed this place. We headed out of the city limits, towards the country style house where Miguel lived. The cab pulled into the circular driveway; while I walked to the door, the driver took my suitcase out of the trunk and carried it over to me. I paid him and he got in the car and left. I looked at the door.

"What am I doing here? Am I crazy? He's probably all right."

I rang the doorbell, a few minutes later the door opened. I stood there staring at a woman who looked to be in her twenties; she stared back at me.

"Yes, what can I do for you?" she asked.

"Hello, does a man named Miguel live here?"

She looked at me up and down and I knew she was going to be a problem.

"Well?" I asked.

"Maybe he does."

"Look I just flew here from the United States and I am very tired, now does he live here or not? Or is this question too difficult for you to answer."

We stared at each other, before she could answer I heard a voice from inside the house.

"Who's at the door, Melinda?"

"No one important."

"No one important? Miguel, if that is you then you better get over here and teach this child some manners before I do!"

The door opened completely and there stood Miguel Bain himself. He smiled and came towards me.

"Serena? What are you doing here?"

He hugged me.

"I am asking myself that as well."

"Come in, come in," he said.

"Thanks." We walked inside and towards the living room.

"Please sit down. Would you like something to drink?" he asked.

"I'd like a glass of water please, Miguel."

He walked over to the bar and took out a bottle of water from the refrigerator; he poured into a glass and brought it over to me. He sat down beside me.

"Serena, what are you doing here?"

"I needed to see if you were all right."

"All right? Why wouldn't I be?"

I looked at him and then at his friend.

"I had a dream about you and I had to see for myself that you were all right, that's all."

"You came all the way from Miami to see if I was alright?"

"Yes."

"I bet you feel like a fool now that you see he's okay, right?" Melinda said.

"Melinda!" Miguel said. We looked at her.

"No I don't feel like a fool, I feel like a concerned friend."

The girl turned and left the room. I looked at Miguel.

"Your friend needs to learn a few things, but I don't think that's why she's here with you right?"

I winked at him and he smiled.

"I suppose she does. Now what's this about a dream?"

"It was more of a nightmare than a dream, but now that I see that you're all right I'm more at ease. I think I better call a cab and go check into a hotel."

"A hotel? Don't be silly. You'll stay here."

"I don't think so, at least not with your friend here, besides I'd rather stay in a hotel."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then I will take you to a hotel."

"Thank you."

We stood up and left. I checked into a hotel and Miguel went with me up to the room. Miguel took my suitcase into the bedroom. I was sitting on the couch when Miguel came back into the room.

"This is very nice," Miguel said.

"Yes it is."

He sat by me on the couch. He touched my hand. "Now tell me, what is this visit all about?"

"I guess I just missed you, that's all."

He laughed. "Right, I know you too well quieda. You said something about a dream."

"It was nothing."

"Nothing doesn't make you get on a plane and fly across the ocean, now what is it?"

I looked at him and gently touched his face. "I had a dream…well it turned into a nightmare."

"Tell me."

Miguel listened to me as I told him of the nightmare that I had. He saw that the look on my face was totally serious, when I was through he hugged me tightly, then he took my face in his hands and kissed me.

"Oh amor, it touches me deeply that you would come all this way to see that I was still breathing."

"I had to, I couldn't shake the image of you dying in my arms. Miguel it was so real."

He hugged me again. "As you can see I'm just fine. You don't need to worry about me, I am invincible"

"Oh really? When did you and Superman switch jobs"

"Smartass."

"I am exhausted."

"Well, why don't you take a nap and I'll come back and we'll have dinner. Sound good?"

"Sounds wonderful."

"Good. I'll see you about 8:00 pm."

"Okay, but what about your little girlfriend? I don't think she'll be too happy that we're spending time together."

"She can think what she wants, I want to be with you for what ever time that you're here."

"Okay, but I don't want any problems from her."

"Don't worry. I'll see you later."

"See you later."

He kissed me and left. I went into the bedroom and took a nap.