I am running, and running…toward what? Faith. I’m running to her. But the more I run, it seems, the farther I get from her, not closer. She is calling my name…like she needs help. “Bernard, Bernard? Where are you?” is what she is calling. “I’m right here! Faith! Over here!” I yell back, but she doesn’t hear me. Now I begin to panic. What if she’s hurt? What if…then the voice got louder, closer. But I was still getting farther from her. “Bernard? Bernard?” is what I hear…and the smell of buttered toast with cinnamon, My favorite. Just then, in my dream, I ran into an invisible wall, waking me up.

As my eyes come into focus I see Faith standing beside me. I rub my eyes and sit up. “Hey,” is all I can manage.

”’Morning,” there was silence and then, “here, this is for you. I figured you’d be hungry…” Faith’s voice trails off.

Taking the food I say, “Thanks. I am,” more silence, “sit, please.”

She didn’t. Silence.

“Why are you here? Why didn’t you leave?” Faith’s voice broke the silence.