The Girl in the Red Dress, by Mary Wallace

2/10/2020

We juggled carry bags while the tiny child in a red dress skipped ahead. I don't know who she belonged to, but she was in our charge.

My husband gave chase after she rushed ahead, leaving me to handle the bags. I watched in horror the slow motion impact as a car turned into its driveway. Red frills, red metal. I jerked awake.

I tried desperately to recapture the dream. Was she injured? Nothing was real; how stupid to feel responsible.

Yet behind my closed eyes is a jumbled image; red frills, a red car and guilt.

16 Comments

Angela Carlton link

2/10/2020 04:24:19 pm

This tale captures so much. I can relate to the dreams taking hold of us. I've written several stories from such experiences, nice job!

JIm link

2/10/2020 05:24:21 pm

Very well written, but so glad (while breathtaking and a jolt to the heart to the dreamer) it was only a dream...
Or was it...

Jim

Peggy Gerber

2/10/2020 07:36:32 pm

It is amazing what power a bad dream can have on our whole day. Nicely done..

Paritosh Chandra Dugar

2/10/2020 08:09:01 pm

Excellent word image. Very well done, Mary.

Krystyna

2/10/2020 09:20:51 pm

Dreams like this one spin my head in a tizzy for a few hours after awakening. Hope you get a sequel in your next dream.
Beautifully articulated story, Mary. Thank you.

Ed N. White

2/10/2020 09:54:10 pm

Thank you, Mary, for this emotional story. And for waking from this bad dream. Well done. Thoughtful and real.

Pamela Kennedy

2/10/2020 09:57:45 pm

I'm glad that it was only a dream...I'm wishing you pleasant ones from now on.

Sandra James

2/10/2020 10:22:47 pm

Very well written and very relatable. Loved the repeated use of 'red'; it really adds to the story.

Marjan sierhuis

2/10/2020 10:28:08 pm

Your story evokes a powerful image, Mary.

Mary Wallace

3/10/2020 04:39:38 am

Thankyou all for your lovely comments. I don't know why this dream has stayed, but I keep seeing the same image. I thought by writing about it, it might disappear. It hasn't yet.

Sue Clayton

3/10/2020 05:04:41 am

Heart stopping, Mary. I held my breath all the way through reading. Interesting to know what a dream therapist, or whatever they're called, would make of your dream.

Sivan Pillai

3/10/2020 05:40:16 am

A well-written story, Mary. Congratulations.

Swapan k Banerjee

3/10/2020 06:33:56 am

To be able to decipher one's dreams is to discover oneself. We must always try to 'recapture' and then record our dreams as you do, Mary.

John Cooper

3/10/2020 12:42:29 pm

A haunting dream and a haunting story. Well written and very powerful.

Padmini Krishnan link

3/10/2020 04:44:21 pm

The guilt you suffer after the nightmare is painful. Sorry to hear that the story is based on a real-life dream. I have frequently had nightmares of somebody spinning me around as I slept. God knows what that means:)

Mary Wallace

4/10/2020 01:11:00 am

Thankyou everyone for taking the time to read and comment on my story. It is very much appreciated.

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