Night Shift

“Garnet?” Cory scanned the virtual salon for it’s perky proprietress, blinking his eyes in the dim light. “Garnet?” he repeated, stepping off the platform of the now-familiar web abductor.

Red candles burned in silence as the only movement he sensed was that of his own shadow.

Suddenly the sound of muffled running footsteps broke the silence, a door burst open, and...

“Oh, Cory, there you are!” a breathless Garnet exclaimed, “Sorry I was late! I just got back from a doctor appointment. Carla was so up-tight about her thin bones, that she insisted on bothering poor Dr. Royer today. I told her I was expecting you, but did she listen? Nooo...”

“Oh, Cory, it’s been so long!” she exclaimed, “Let me look at you!”

She held the hapless young man at arm’s length, taking him in with her eyes before taking him into her arms. “It’s so GOOD to see you!” she cried, squeezing him tight.

“C’mon, I have the perfect place for us to talk.” she said, grabbing Cory’s hand and leading him through the doorway that she had not long ago burst through, “Not here. We need some fresh air after the long winter...”

The hallway was lined with many doors, and while Cory noticed that some had nameplates, the light was too dim for him to make any of them out. He almost tripped over Garnet as she stopped short in front of one of them. She turned the handle & opened the door, but all Cory could see through the portal was total darkness. He looked questioningly at Garnet.

She met his silent query with a mischievous smile. “Turn on the light.” she commanded. “The switch is inside, on the left, just like any other room...” she said.

Cory hesitantly reached inside, felt the switch, and... *click*

The room disappeared, the darkness turned to dusk, and the floor turned to... sand. Cory looked down in astonishment. His shoes had vanished, and he was clad only in swim trunks. He looked closer to make sure he was not imagining it... yes, swim trunks made of a fabric with a pattern of little smiling starfish.

Garnet laughed with delight as she breathed in the salt air and spun around, doing a little dance of joy in the sand. The pink velour sweat suit that she had worn to the doctor’s office had changed to a grass skirt and floral print bikini.

“How delightful!” she chirped. “It’s summer, Cory, summer! Look at the sky- I just adore sunset colors. And I’ve ordered them to stay that way for a while... so we can walk and talk in the sunset... c’mon, sweetie.”

Garnet took Cory’s hand, and they walked... and talked...all the while breathing in the refreshing salty air, and the magical twilight.

A glimmer appeared on the beach ahead. “That’s where we’re going.” said Garnet, “It’s a bonfire, you know. All ready for us. A bonfire on the beach. What better place to cuddle? Mmmmm.”

And suddenly, there it was- no longer a glimmer, but a bonfire, a blanket, and a picnic basket. Garnet cheerfully scampered to the basket, pulling out a bottle of champagne, 2 glasses, and... a birthday cake.

“’Cause I missed your birthday!” she smiled, “Your 22nd, right? I know it’s late, many, many months late, but Happy Birthday, Cory! Here, you pop the cork, and I’ll light the candle....”

“Make a wish...” she whispered as she handed him a brimming glass, “blow out the candle... and now it’s cake & cuddles!”

Comfortable cuddles & soft kisses ensue. The sky darkens as sunset colors give way to soft firelight & starlight.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” exclaims Garnet, “Your present!” she digs into the picnic basket and pulls out a box.

“I’ve been worried about you, you know...” she says, opening the box, “..what with you working the night shift and all. I’m concerned that you’re not getting good sleep. So I put a few things together for you.”

“First, this...” Garnet hands Cory a bottle of pills. “It’s melatonin 3 mg. Melotonin is something that your own body makes. It’s a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake pattern, and also is a powerful anti-oxident. Working night shift throws off your body’s ability to make it’s own, so you gotta take it from a bottle. Here... take one now.” She grabs the bottle, opens it, and gives Cory a dose.

“Now this...” Out of the box Garnet retrieves a small spray bottle. “It’s lavender. The scent of lavender helps you sleep. So spray it on your pillow, OK?”

“And ear plugs... y’need those.. and finally...” Garnet reaches into the box and pulls out a ’sleep mask.’

“No one can possibly sleep well without proper darkness. This is a must. Try it on, sweetie.” she say as she hands the mask to Cory.

Obediently, Cory slips the mask over his head, and suddenly... the beach disappears, as if with the flick of a switch... and in it's place there's softness... darkness... & profound, sleepy relaxation.

“Good night, Cory, honey.”

The words and the good-night kiss barely registered as Cory sank into sleep... deep, refreshing, restoring sleep...

Many hours later, in his own bed, he awoke to the scent of lavender. He could swear he heard the ghost of a giggle as he shook the sleep out of his head. The box with his birthday present was there on his nightstand... along with Garnet’s signature card...

“Take care & God bless”
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