Flight of Fancy

Last weekend, I left my house and went to pick up dinner for my daughter and me. Traffic was light, so I arrived at the restaurant in 10 minutes, picked up our dinner, and headed home. On the drive back, I could see flashing lights of emergency vehicles ahead. As I got closer, I noticed police blocked the street, and there was a detour sign. I know the area well, so I didn’t follow the detour signs, I took a quicker route through a neighborhood. I used to ride through that neighborhood with my dad when I was a child, but that was years ago, and everything was different now. That’s when I realized I was lost, and I wished I had followed the detour signs. Still, I felt like I could find my way, so I took a right at the next street, thinking it would lead me back to the main road. As soon as I turned onto that street, the atmosphere changed…the air smelled fresher and there was a cool breeze. The neighborhood was strikingly quaint…small cottages, beautifully manicured lawns with colorful flowerbeds, and the road was perfectly canopied by vibrant green trees. The air was filled with the chatter and laughter of little, barefoot children playing throughout the neighborhood. As I drove slowly down the road, a sense of calm overcame me. I forgot I was lost and trying to find my way home. Ahead of me, the road was coming to a dead end, and I didn’t want to pull into anyone’s yard, so I veered close to one side of the street, so I could make a U-turn on the narrow road. As I turned, a small boy stopped playing and looked at me. We locked eyes, and he turned and ran towards one of the cottages. As he ran through the door, the wooden screen door, slammed behind him. He immediately came back outside, followed by a stunning lady with smooth chocolate skin, a soft face, smiling eyes, and her hair pulled up into a messy bun. She was about 35 years old, barefoot but wearing a 1950s shirtwaist dress with an apron tied at the waist. As she walked towards me, taking light, bouncy steps, she was drying her hands on her apron, and flashing a familiar smile. In a melodious tone, she spoke, “Welcome!” She stepped closer and reached out her arms to me, and without hesitation, we embraced in a loving hug. She told me to come with her, and she led me into her cottage. I sat in a wooden chair at a small, round kitchen table, and we conversed while she washed dishes and cleaned the countertops. When she finished, she turned to me, and said, “It’s time to go now.” I wasn’t ready to leave this beautiful place that made me feel happier than I had ever felt. It was more peaceful than any place I’d ever been. I didn't want to leave this woman who felt like home. Everything was perfect there…I belonged there. Again, in the sweetest voice, she said, “You can’t stay.” I asked why, and she said, “Tayler is at home waiting for you.” Those words immediately hit me, and I knew I had to get home to my daughter. She walked me to my car, hugged me, and I got in. I looked at her one last time before I drove away, and with a gentle smile, she said, “Don’t worry, you will be back, and I will be here waiting for you.” I waved at her and slowly drove away, looking at her through my rearview mirror…she was smiling and waving. As I got to the stop sign, tears streaming down my face, I wiped my eyes and turned left. The atmosphere returned to hot and humid, as usual in Houston. I was confused and not aware that I was sitting at a green signal light, holding up traffic until the driver behind me laid on his horn in annoyance…and I woke up in my bed, my face wet with tears. I miss you, momma.