Love Refound
by: E Walk
(© 2008 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 15
The Dream

 

 

The birthday party was breaking up.  After most of the young people had departed, Jeff and his parents started back to Chattanooga.  Spring and Adrian went back to Spring and Autumn’s house, with Adrian’s parents, to visit.

 

I packed my bag and Autumn and I, my parents and Autumn’s parents went back to Uncle Howie’s house so we could visit before I had to leave for Atlanta.  As we were leaving, both Trent and Trevor came and hugged me.  Trevor whispered, “Mr. Christiansen, you are the greatest even, if you are devious.  Thanks for being a friend.”

 

Trent hugged me, “Uncle Doug, thanks for helping Trev.  He seems so much more self assured.”

 

When we arrived at Uncle Howie’s house, Autumn and I were totally unprepared for the conversation.  My Dad started it, “I think that Jeff and Trevor’s idea about having your wedding on horseback would be unique.  Even the idea of having it in the show arena is a good one.  That way there would be seating already provided and then the reception could be just a good ole family style picnic.”

 

Autumn’s Dad picked up on the idea, “Instead of bringing a gift, the guests could bring a covered dish.  For entertainment, we could have a square dance with some line dances and round dances.”

 

Autumn finally had to say something.  “Wait a minute, don’t Doug and I get to make any input?”

 

Autumn’s Dad looked at his watch and was watching it, “Okay, you had your minute, and I didn’t hear you say anything.”

 

I could tell that Autumn was upset.  She looked at her Dad, “Dad, please be serious.  I had no idea until last night that I was going to be getting married.  Please give Doug and me some time to talk about what we would like to have happen before everyone starts planning our wedding and family.  Doug, I really need to go home and get ready for tomorrow since I have two staffings first thing in the morning.”

 

After we said goodnight to everyone, I took her back to Spring’s and her house.  The Pearsons and the Winters were still there so we said goodnight on the porch.  She looked at me, “Doug, promise me that you won’t blindside me again.”

 

“Autumn, I’ll try not to.  I’ll call you tomorrow night.  Get some rest and things will seem clearer.  I’m sorry if you’re upset.”

 

“Oh Doug, I’m not upset.  I’m just overwhelmed.  Everything has been happening so fast, and everyone is around, providing their unsolicited inputs.  It’s as if I’ve completely lost control of my life.”

 

I hugged her again.  “Autumn, go get some sleep.”

 

I wasn’t feeling very good about anything as I was driving back to Atlanta.  I was thinking, ‘I probably messed up any chances for Autumn and I ever being happy.  Did I create monsters in Jeff and Trevor by the way I treated them?  I hope they don’t think I was suggesting that they should be gay.’

 

When I pulled into my apartment complex, I just wanted to crash because I had a full schedule for the week.

 

I took my suitcase and went to my apartment.  I was just coming out of the shower when the phone rang. “This is Doug Christiansen.” 

 

“Hi Uncle Doug, this is Jeff.  I want to apologize for my actions this weekend.  I had a tremendous time.  Tell Miss Autumn that I apologize too, please.”

 

“Jeff, you have nothing to apologize for.  What happened this weekend happened.  We all survived.   Have a great week.   I’ll talk to you soon.”

 

I booted up my computer so I could check to see if I had any messages that I needed to take care of.  I looked through the incoming messages on both my Yahoo and my Google accounts.  Most of the messages were not important and could wait until I had time to take care of them.  There was one from Tom Longworth that caught my attention.

 

Hey Doug,

 

We just sent out the wedding announcements today.  The wedding is set for June 14 at two o’clock at the First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga.  The reception will be at my parents’ restaurant.  It will not be a very big wedding.  The rehearsal will be the night before at 7:00. 

 

I’m going to wear a dark blue business suit, so you won’t need to buy any new clothes because I know that you have several nice suits unless you’ve gained weight.

 

This working for the government isn’t as much fun as I envisioned it might be.  Penny and I have found a small house in Maryland that we are going to buy,  It’s a little pricey, but it won’t break us and it will be and easy drive back and forth to work.

 

Looking forward to seeing you in June.

 

Tom

 

I decided to write back. 

 

Hey Tom.

 

It’s me, Doug.  I just spent the afternoon with your parents and Jeff.  They were at a birthday party for Jeff and one of his friends in Belton, Georgia.  Jeff and his friend, Trevor, terrorized me and my fiancée all weekend.

 

The plans for the wedding sound great.  I’ll be bringing my Mrs. to be with me.   I wouldn’t be surprised if Trevor didn’t show up with us.  You need to check with Jeff for the full details.

 

Later my friend,

 

Doug

 

I was just getting ready to shut down and there was ping on the computer.

 

What fiancée?

 

I wrote back.

 

Tom,

 

You need to talk to Jeff.  His version would be much funnier than mine.

 

I need to go to bed.  I have had a very busy weekend and I need to do some things to get ready for tomorrow.  More details forthcoming, later.

 

Doug

 

I shut down the computer and was reading some papers in bed that the students had submitted.  I couldn’t concentrate, so just closed up shop and decided to go to sleep, if I could.

 

I must have fallen asleep because I started having a dream.  It was in color and everything was crystal clear.

 

Jeff and Trevor were waking me, “Uncle Doug, you gotta get dressed.  Come on, we’ll help  you get dressed.  Go take a shower while we get out your clothes.  I looked at them and they were dressed all black riding habits except for their white shirts.

 

I climbed out of bed and went to take a shower.  When I returned, Trevor informed me, “Trent has already taken the horses to the arena.  Your and Ms. Autumn’s parents are making sure that everything is ready at the arena.  Austin and Derek are practicing the music and making sure that the sound system is functioning properly.”

 

Jeff continued, “Everyone except the four of us, who are going to be in the wedding party, is dressed in jeans, western shirts and cowboy boots.  Mr. Willingham and Trevor’s Dad are manning barbeque grills, and Trevor’s Granddad and Dr. Butler are setting up the bar.  Now  get ready, the minister is going to be there at nine thirty to meet with us before the service.”

 

Trevor took over, “My Mom and Aunt Louisa are picking up the flowers for the horses.  Now where is the wedding ring, so we don’t forget it?”

 

There was buzzing sound and the two guys faded.  It took me a while to realize that the alarm was going off.  After I shut it off, I sat on the side of the bed thinking, ‘What was the significance of that dream?  Was I reliving the weekend.  There were too many new elements that didn’t make that seem entirely plausible.’

 

I realized that I needed to get my body in gear if I was going to be on time for my eight o’clock class.

 

It turned out to be an extremely busy day.  The events of the weekend took a back seat to everything that was happening.  After lunch, I was sitting in the small office, that I shared with three other people, grading papers when there was a knock on the door.  I looked up and Dean Williams was standing there, “Doug, could you come to my office, please?”

 

“Yes sir.  Let me secure these papers first.”

 

I didn’t like the sound of this.  I guess my doctoral thesis had been rejected.  ‘Dang, I had worked so hard on it.’

 

As we were walking to the Dean’s office, he was talking about piddling things,  “Doug, did you do anything interesting this past weekend?”

 

I thought to myself, ‘That’s a weird question.’  I answered, “Sir, I guess you might say that it was an interesting weekend since I got engaged.”

 

“So I heard.  I hear you’re going to buy into a horse farm.  Is it true that you gave your fiancée an ice cube for an engagement ring?”

 

I stopped, “Dean Williams, who have you been talking to?”

 

“I had a vision.”

 

We had arrived at his office and he sat down on a sofa and pointed for me to sit down on the sofa with him.  “Doug, I wanted to talk to you for several reasons.  First, would it be safe for me and my wife to spend the weekend with your Uncle Howie and his friend Robbie?”

 

I started to laugh, “Dean Williams, my parents and my fiancée’s parents stayed with them this past weekend and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  How do you know Uncle Howie?”

 

He grinned, “We lived next door to Howie for about twenty years and he would baby-sit our children when we were out of town or had an engagement when the children were young.”

 

“The second reason I wanted to talk to you is that your doctoral thesis has …”  He paused and I was holding my breath.  … been accepted and you will be receiving your doctoral degree at graduation on May 23 so you need to order your stole.”

 

“Lastly, I would hate to have you leave, but in view of the fact that you are going to purchase the other part of the horse farm that your fiancée owns, I have a job opportunity that might be just what you are looking for.  I have arranged a job interview for you tomorrow  afternoon at three o’clock.  I’ll find someone to cover your afternoon classes tomorrow.  The appointment is to see President Doris Harder at the Community College in Harwood.  I understand that would be only about twenty minute drive from where your farm would be located.”

 

“The great thing about the job would be that it would provide you with experiences that would help you if should decide that you would want to concentrate in either the academic or business field.”

 

I didn’t know how to respond, “Dean Williams, I am overwhelmed right now.”  I stood and shook his hand “Thank you for everything, sir.”

 

He handed me a card, “Here is the Dr. Harder’s business card.  It will tell you how to find her.  I will be interested to hear how your meeting goes with her.  She is a fascinating lady.  Oh, by the way, she is into horses also.”

 

The rest of the afternoon was a blur.  I wasn’t at my best in the remaining classes I had to teach that afternoon.  I stopped at a Chinese restaurant on the way to the apartment and bought a dinner to go.  I was eating when the phone rang.  “This is Doug Christiansen.”

 

“Uncle Doug, this is Jeff.  Tom called me a little bit ago and asked what happened last weekend.  He was laughing when I told him and he said he was going to send you an email later.  I had the weirdest dream.  Me and Trevor were dressed in these black riding habits trying to get you dressed for your wedding.  Can we wear some color other than black?  We looked as if we were going to bury someone.  Does Austin really play the piano and does Derek really sing?”

 

I was laughing so hard listening to Jeff that I could hardly answer.  “Jeff, slow down.  I’ll tell you what.  Why don’t you check with Trevor and see if you can go visit with him this weekend.  I’m going to be going to stay with Uncle Howie if he will have me.”

 

Jeff sighed, “I’ll send Trevor an email and see what he has to say.  Talk to you later.  Gotta go eat.”

 

I booted up the computer.  There were more messages.

 

The latest one was from Tom.

 

Doug,

 

When you decide to do something, you don’t do it halfway, do you?  I hope Autumn’s ring doesn’t melt before we get to meet her.  You must have had a very fun weekend according to my little brother.

 

Later,

Tom

 

I looked at the clock and decided to call Autumn to tell her the news.  The line was busy so I tried her cell phone number.  “The is Autumn Summers.”

 

“Hi Autumn, I tried to call the other number but the line was busy.”

 

“Spring is talking to Adrian.  They are trying to make plans for the wedding, since there isn’t very much time.  They’ve decided on the 21st of June.  You need to rent a tuxedo if you don’t have one.  I have to see if I can find a dress that doesn’t make me look too frumpy.”

 

“By the way, I had the weirdest dream last night that we were being led to the officiating minister for our vows by Trevor and Jeff.  The horses were all decked out with floral leis.  Austin was playing a keyboard and Derek was singing.  It was really neat except for the fact that you three guys were dressed in all black except for your white shirts.  You three guys looked as if you were going to a funeral.”

 

“Autumn, Jeff and I had similar dreams.  The reason I called is to tell you that my doctoral thesis, has been accepted, so I will be getting my doctoral degree on May 23rd.  The good news is I will be arriving in your area tomorrow afternoon about two.  I have a job interview with Dr. Harder at the Community College in Harwood, tomorrow afternoon.  Why don’t we have dinner after my interview?”

 

Autumn was quiet, “Doug, you have already seen Dr. Harder, you won’t be on the list of her most favorite people.  She has been competing against us in the jumping circuit.  She really is a neat lady.  If I’m not home when you get here, just come on in.  I’ll make sure we leave the back door unlocked.”

 

“Autumn, don’t tell anyone I’m coming, and maybe we can have some time to sit and discuss what has happened, is happening,  and what we would like to see happen.”

 

“Doug, that sounds great!”

 

After I had hung up from talking to Autumn, I decided to call my parents and tell them the news.  My Mother answered, “This is Maria Christiansen.”

 

“Mom, it’s your son.  I have some good news.”

 

“Douglas, I had the weirdest dream last night.  I think it would really neat for you and Autumn to be married on horseback, but do you, Jeff and Travis have to wear black?  You looked as if you were in mourning.”

 

I started to laugh, “Mom you’re the third person this evening who has complained about us wearing black.  Autumn and I are going to discuss what’s going to happen, tomorrow night.”

 

“The reasons I called are that I will be receiving my Doctorate degree on May 23, and secondly, I have a job interview at a Community College close to Autumn’s and Spring’s farm tomorrow at three o’clock tomorrow.  Are there any weekends in July that you wouldn’t be able to come to for the wedding?”

 

Mother, being her practical self, answered quickly, “I think that weekend of the 19th  would be the best for the two of you.   That will give us more time to make plans and you and Autumn will have time to take a honeymoon before she has to go back to school.  She told me that she had to start back to work on the 3rd of August.  We’ll be available whenever you all decide.”

 

“You need to check with Rachel and Scott, too.”

 

“Yes, oh practical one, I’ll call you as soon as I know the results of the interview.”

 

“Douglas, we’re proud of you and approve of the filly that you picked.”

 

Mother didn’t even say goodnight, but just hung up and I was listening to a dead phone.

 

To be continued...

 

 

 Editor's Notes: What is it with everyone having the same dream? 

 

I can hardly wait for the next chapter, to see what happens next.

 

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

 

 

Posted: 03/27/09