The Wonderful Life

Flash Fiction

The Wonderful Life

I had a weird dream, waking up around midnight. It wasn’t monsters, not even scary, but definitely weird.

I was walking through Mr. Trent’s garden. He owned all the land on the corner of our street. A large field where he grew some kind of grain. Right on the corner I had to walk around to get to school. Had to, because I’m grown up now… I bought my parent’s house (really cheap of course!) when they decided to move into a condo. I assumed I’d get married eventually, have kids… you know.

Anyway, in the dream I was going to school, and late, deciding to sneak through the short cut. Knowing Mr. Trent would yell, I was hiding. Of course, he saw me. However, instead of scolding, he yelled, “Jane! Come over to my house! There’s someone you need to meet!” Then I woke up! It was just after midnight.

I got back to sleep, but the dream haunted me. Haunted, because Mr. Trent passed away three years before! Somebody had moved in, taking over the gardens, but I only came to visit my parents then, I didn’t have to walk to school anymore…

Well, it was Saturday, and I was home. I’d met a number of neighbors already since I bought the house, but never thought to go to Trent’s house. After that dream however, I decided I would go…

It seems Mr. Trent had a son! He’d lived with his mother in California. A son who wanted to have a farm like his father, and inherited it! I met him that Saturday when the dream Mr. Trent, told me to go.

I live here now, with my husband, Mr. Trent’s son Andy, and our kids. Every day I thank Mr. Trent for my wonderful life.