Precious D's Pearls for Swine

Little Susie Somebody had nightmares. Sometimes there were monsters. Sometimes there was falling. Sometimes there was nothing but a feeling of unspeakable dread. Always there was a scream, her own scream as she jerked awake. There were sweaty sheets and clammy hands. Eventually there were doctors and medicines, but nothing helped. Little Susie Somebody was Tormented.

Susie’s parents had tried everything to no avail. When every other option failed they fell back on instinct. Instinct told them that Juanita Maria Francesca O’Riley might be able to help. They had no more sense than most parents, but they had just enough sense to know that Juanita was known as Infinity Jane. And somehow they knew that nightmares were just the sort of thing Jane was best equipped to deal with.

***

Jane was in her backyard listening to the big tree. Trees speak very slowly. Jane had asked the tree how it was feeling and had been listening to the answer on and off for about a week now. Mother called out from the house.

“Juanita! Susie’s mother is on the phone.”

“Is it monsters?” asked Jane.

"What? Not monster- mother. She wants to know if you’d like to spend the night tonight.”

“Must be nightmares.” Said Jane.

“What?”

“Tell her yes.” yelled Jane.

posted by Dominic @ 7:21 PM