Life - Message From The Past

37-The News

In Your Dreams

Early on an October morning, before the sun had a chance to rise Jeremy once again found himself in a strange place. He could not understand why he was back in Mexico.

"This is weird." Jeremy felt the warm breeze first, then the distinct smell of the tiny shack in the village came into focus.

"Hey Gringo." Miguel junior walked out from the shadow. "You're looking not too bad."

Jeremy nodded. "Miguel. Why the visit?"

"You have not seen Gwen in days." Miguel reminded Jeremy. "You need to give your woman something to fight for. Something to look forward to!"

"Miguel she doesn't seem to be responding to the medicine." Jeremy shook his head. "We were too late!"

"No! Gringo, you are wrong!" Miguel became even more passionate than ever before. "You need to give her a reason to fight! A reason to live! Just like she inspired you to fight and to live."

Jeremy turned away from the Mexican.

Miguel angrily continued to speak. "Go to her now, Gringo! Get up! Tell her what she means to you...give her something to fight for. Be the man she needs you to be!" He walked up behind Jeremy and yelled into his ear. "Get up!"

Jeremy's eyes burst open his breath crystallized in the freezing morning air. He unzipped his sleeping bag to cool himself. A dusting of snow covered the small two-person tent that became his home for the past five weeks. He dressed before making his way to the trailer.

With the weather turning colder Pete's trailer became the only place to stay warm. Jeremy entered the crowded camper trying not to disturb the residents but the cold air woke everyone inside. He made his way to the privacy curtain before speaking. "Maddie, you awake?"

"Hey - I was beginning to think you forgot about Gwen." Madeline reached out into the dark and felt the bristly hair on Jeremy's face. "But you are welcomed here anytime." She slid the curtain aside.

"I have been avoiding this far too long." Jeremy sighed. "Why don't you go find a spot to get some sleep?"

"You've got this?" Madeline hesitated a moment. "She's ready to be bathed."

"I've got it, Maddie." Jeremy assured the doctor.

"Don't forget to talk to her. She can hear you even if she doesn't respond." Madeline patted Jeremy on the shoulder before whispering into his ear. "Be positive." She curled up on an empty bench and attempted to find sleep.

Jeremy gently pulled the comforter away from Gwen. Even with only a tiny spotlight he noticed she had lost a lot of weight. He wrung out the wash cloth and began to gently wash her shoulders before he remembered to speak to her.

"Hey. Bet you don't know what day it is? To tell you the truth, I don't even know. What I do know is I haven't been around lately and I miss your smiles. I miss your laughter, Gwen." He freshened the cloth and wrung it out again.

"Just to catch you up on things around here...Austin and I are getting along. The kid's smarter than I will ever be. Harmony and Miguel are like two peas in a pod. He's teaching her Spanish. I guess she and Pumpkin can have secret conversations now." Jeremy nervously laughed. "It seems even Chastity can put up with me. I never thought that would have been possible, but there it is."

Jeremy refreshed the cloth again. "The water seems to be getting cold. I hope you don't mind." He gently followed the curves of her body with each cleansing stroke. "I know this is poor timing but I know I love you. The kids are great kids. I mean I never knew what being part of a family was until a few weeks ago."