SIDNEY CONTEMPLATES

Lying on the bed with her eyes closed trying to sleep, but memories flooded back from the night they were stranded and she was in his arm. Sidney recalls him kissing her head a few times, thinking she was asleep, and now with Haley here I had no choice but to sleep on the bed.

Reflecting how safe it feel when he beat those vagabonds shouting, I am his wife. At that moment it felt as though he cared a little for me, but then he was going to leave me.'

Wiping the tears, "Oh God, it hurts; when James didn't turn up for our wedding, it was painful, but it hurts even more when Vince wanted to leave me. Then when he said for I to fend for myself, it hurt so much more." Sidney knew at that moment she was beginning to depend upon him.

Wiping the tears away, angry with herself for allowing him to invade her mind. 'I can't allow him to do that to me again, because then I will be giving him control and leverage over me and my inner being.

I know he is still encouraging his girlfriend here, and I can't afford to give in to his deception and so call affection because it could only mean betrayal awaits me.' Closing her eyes praying for some peace of mind.

****

Returning home after dropping Haley off, Vince entered the room seeing how restless she was on the bed. Hearing her as though she was wrestling with something or someone in her dreams.

Vince tries to listen to what she was mumbling but he wasn't able to make out one single word she was uttering, it was as though she was speaking another language.

In fact, it sounds as if she was fighting a war, wondering what has brought on that? Does she fight her battles while she sleeps?'

Then suddenly she sit upright, wanting to know what was the matter? Hearing her saying. "I am coming," Vince looks at her becoming aware that she was sound asleep but who was calling her?

Watching and following closely behind her seeing her stumble holding her before she fell. Sidney knew someone was holding her hands, hearing the person asking, "Where are you going?"

"Vince is calling me to get his food, so I am going to fix it, it will just take me a few minutes." 'Oh my Lord, she is dreaming about me.'

Saying to her very softly knowing she responds when she is dreaming, "Sidney, Vince could ask Molly to fix his food."

Noticing she shakes her head, "You don't understand, he wants me to fix his food."

'Dear God, she is even conscious of that in her sleep, "Okay, come along I will help you."

"Thanks, so much."

"Now, you sit here and tell me what to do." Halfway through her instructing him, she fell asleep on top of the table.

"Now let me take you back to bed," walking slowly up the stairs holding her close to his chest just like Friday morning when he carries her from the camp.

Resting her on the bed, "Here you go, now you sleep well." Feeling her lip brush his, wanting to kiss her for so long, 'One kiss won't hurt,' but as we kiss it deepens, wanting more from her.

Closing his eyes wanting so much to continue but he releases her hold and leaves the room. "This is wrong she is asleep; I want our first time together to be memorable."

Taking his guitar, telling GP, "Sidney was sleeping, and he was going for practice."

Driving away from the house was hard, but if he stay in the room, he won't be able to control the way he was feeling for her.

The boys were already practising, joining in he felt a relief just expressing his feeling with the guitar.

Then he started singing; "Look into my eyes, you will see," as the band members join in being able to sing his heart out, feeling the tears flowing but he continue until the practice was over.

Hearing the boys talking as they secure the instruments, Vince leaves quietly.

Entering the room softly seeing it was after one. Holding his guitar and walks softly into the room. Vince didn't want to disturb her rest, the room was dark but she was not in the bed, nor was she on the sofa.

Putting on the light seeing a tray on the centre table and she was drinking a cup of tea, sitting by the window. "What is the matter, can't you sleep?"

"I am fine, how was your practice?"

"Good, is this tray for me?"

"Yes!"

"Thanks, I am starving, won't you join me?"

"I only eat about fifteen minutes ago, I thought you might want something when you return."

"Sidney, I am glad you are awake, I was wondering about this investment, I could invest a hundred thousand into your account, seeing that yours is more profitable. Instead of opening a new account and losing forty thousand on both sides. When I collect the money, I could leave the forty for you. No one needs to know and you already told Mr. Francoir that you were ready to invest more, how about it?"

"Let us wait until the cheque is cleared, all I had planned for this investment has fallen through; I don't know if it is the will of God to invest into this business. I got this nagging feeling that it was a scam but if I collect my investment, I must thank God."

"You are confusing me, didn't you say you visited the main office and they seem to be solid."

"Yes, I know but everything sounds enticing, in fact, it scares me when I think about why they would give one hundred thousand in two years. I will wait another two years and see if there is any truth to this."

Sidney went into her briefcase, taking out the statement, "Look for yourself, it looks too cut and dry as far as I am concerned."