43. Bedtime Stories

Laura - The house in the suburbs
If I were a normal girl, I would probably have gotten blisters on my way home. Sure, I mean, there are perks to my immortality. Some may seem like gifts to anyone. Would you call someone crazy for being sad about not getting blisters? Then I’m crazy, alright.
I’m even crazier for spending the next two days and nights cooped up in my new house, waiting for a sign from him. Have I gotten mad? In my eighty years of existence, I’ve never felt this way. Apparently, there are still things I haven’t got to explore, yet I’m too tired to search for them.
Maybe I should attempt to get Paul to accompany me to the gypsy witch and see what she has to say now. If he isn't the answer to my immortality dilemma, I'd best move on before he becomes the root of a new problem in my doomed existence.
I attempted to relax in an effort to block out the ideas that were wreaking havoc in my head. I slept restlessly, tossing and turning the entire night. As the nightmares resemble reality, my anxiety increases.
I’ve decided to avoid sleeping, and it shouldn’t be a problem as I don’t actually require sleep. But my glamour compels me to act normally, so I make coffee and settle on the bench outside. The birds chirp happily in the trees, and I smile. Maybe I can find some peace of mind.
“Hey!”
I look to my right to see Paul leaning with his shoulder against the wall. Since it’s his house, the question of how he got here is meaningless. I don’t reply and turn my attention to my steaming coffee.
"Back then, you asked me to stay the night, and I left. I'll sleep here tonight. You win."
“What have I won, exactly?” I take a sip from my cup. “The luxury of listening to you snore?”
“I don’t snore.” He sighs before coming closer and settling next to me on the bench. “Tell me another bedtime story tonight.”
Hearing his bizarre request, I blink and arch my eyebrows. “You didn’t sleep after my last story. My tales are too dark to put children to sleep.”
“Then make one up. I’m curious what your imagination can come up with.”
I'm not sure why I don't just reject him. Perhaps the prospect of having him here for the night is too appealing after two days and nights alone. Even though I have a million questions for him concerning the plethora of unresolved issues between us, I merely nod in agreement.
He doesn’t insist on staying on the couch like last time, but instead takes my hand and makes me follow him to the master bedroom, my bedroom. The king-size bed is big enough for both of us to lie there without touching. It’s a bit awkward how we both stay on our backs and stare at the ceiling.
“When do you start?” he asks.
A mixture of a sigh and a chuckle comes out of my throat before I start the story. The words take shape the moment I let them out, not a second before.
"Once upon a time, there was a princess named Aura. She shouldn’t have been born, and her mere existence was a problem for everyone around her, including herself. When the people locked her in a tower, she accepted it wholeheartedly. This was in everyone's best interest.
"Raul, a powerful dragon, discovered her and vowed to set her free. He was sick of tropes like "the evil dragon" and "the big bad wolf." He intended to show to the world that such were myths. He was so righteous and law-abiding that he believed his way was the best way."
Paul tilts his head to the side to look at me. But I keep staring at the ceiling. He turns toward me and starts rubbing small circles over my arm, diverting me from my narrative. But I don't want him to stop. Even if he is not aware of what he is doing, the soothing caress is enjoyable.
Nevertheless, I stop and raise on my elbows. “You’re distracting me!”
“Yes, of course. Sorry.”
I reposition my head on the pillow and take a long breath. "Now, where was I?"
“I believe Aura was about to be rescued.”
“Ah, yes, that’s right. Against her will, don't forget that. 'I will save you,' the deep dragon voice shouted. When she saw her magnificent rescuer for the first time, her long lashes fluttered like her heartbeat.
"'I will rescue you from this dreadful tower,' he shouted. Raul was mistaken in his endeavor to rescue her, but he was confident he was doing the right thing, which added to his allure."
“Isn’t that kind of a paradox?” Paul asks.
"Yes, I guess the dragon was a paradox in himself. Perhaps he didn't want to admit to himself how narrow-minded he was. It's time for the good stuff now, so be quiet."
Paul gestures as if he's zipping his mouth, which earns a smile from me. He seems different as if the weight on his shoulders has lifted for the night. Or is it just my wishful thinking?
“Aura refused to be saved and asked for him to kill her instead.”
I pause for a long time until he can’t take it anymore.
“Well, what happened next?”
"I'm not sure. She's still waiting for the answer."
He slides closer and puts an arm over me, embracing me in a warm hug. I don’t move an inch, even though all I can think of is to turn around and kiss him.
The madness is that all the feelings I have at one moment are going to become nothing exactly like the things or people who ignited them. I’m afraid that if I find love, I won’t be able to let go and, like a vengeful spirit, I’ll just linger around in a world where I don’t belong.
For a long while, I lie awake to bask for as long as I can in the comfort of his arm. Paul's breathing grows slower and even, then he begins to snore. I show great restraint and resist the temptation to wake him up just to say, "I told you so."