"Not that particular dream, no."
I scowl at him, shaking my head when I say; "Well, excuse me, but don't you think that's just a little invasive? I mean, jeez! And why didn't you try to stop it, if you knew it was coming?"
He looks at me, his eyes tired and sad. "I didn't know it was Drina. I was just observing your dreams, you were frightened by something, so I showed you the way here. This is always a safe place to come to."
"So why didn't Drina follow me?" I say; looking around for her again.
He reaches for my hand and squeezes my fingers. "Because Drina can't see it, only you could see it."
I squint at him. Everything's so weird, so strange, and none of it makes any sense.
"Don't worry; you'll get it. But for now, why not just try to enjoy it?"
"Why does it seem so familiar?" I say; feeling the tug of recognition, but unable to place it.
"Because this is where I found you." I look at him.
"I found your body outside the car, true. But your soul had already moved on and was lingering here." He stops both our horses, and helps me dismount, then he leads me to a warm patch of grass, so brilliant and sparkling in the warm golden light that doesn't seem to emanate from anyone place, and the next thing I know he's manifested a big cushy couch and a matching ottoman for our feet.
"Care to add anything?" He smiles.
I close my eyes and imagine a coffee table, some lamps, a few knickknacks,,and a nice Persian rug, and when I open them again we're in a fully furnished outdoor living room.
But it's too late, we're already soaked.
"Thoughts create," he says, making a giant umbrella, the rain sloping steadily off the sides and onto the rug. "It's the same on Earth, it just takes a lot longer. But here in Summerland, it's in stant."
"That reminds me of what my mom used to say-'Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!'" I laugh.
He nods. "Now you know where that originates. Care to make this rain stop, so we can dry off?" He shakes his wet hair at me.
"How-"
"Just think of someplac
e warm and dry." He smiles.
And the next thing I know we're lying on a beautiful pinksand beach.
"Let's leave it at this? Shall we?" He laughs as I make us a plushy blue towel and a turquoise ocean to match.
And when I lie back and close my eyes against the warmth, he confirms it. Not that I didn't already start to figure it out for myself, but still not having it stated in a complete sentence. One that begins with:
"I'm an immortal." And ends with: "And you are too."
Is not something you hear every day.
"So, we're both immortals?" I say; opening one eye to peer at him, wondering how I could have such a bizarre conversation in such a normal tone of voice. But then again, I'm in Summerland, and it doesn't get more bizarre than that.
He nods.
"And you made me an immortal when I died in the crash?" He nods again.
"But how? Does it have something to do with that weird red drink?"
He takes a deep breath before answering. "Yes."
"But how come I don't have to drink it all the time, like you?"