Jet Lag

The food that Innocenta provided was more satisfying than anything I could have gotten in a small cafe. At least that is what I decided as I was hungrily devouring it. It proved to be nothing exciting or exotic, just simple yet delicious food--nothing extraordinary. That is the same feeling I am get about the rolling green of the countryside as my jaw drops open in a huge yawn. Since we have left the city, there have been fewer habitations and thus less architectural reminders that I am in a foreign land. Innocenta glances at me out of the corner of her eye and a smile plays gently along her lips.

"We should get you home. You could use a nice long nap," she says.

"I'll be okay," I reply, "I just never enjoy long car trips."

"Denial does not make the jet lag go away, but sleep does."

"Hmm," I reply, feeling my eyelids beginning to flutter closed, despite my own assertions.

My eyes drift closed, but I fight to keep them open. A peaceful silence lingers in the car, as if Innocenta is trying to let me get the rest I need, but I do not feel comfortable falling asleep in her presence. After all, I barely know her. I try to force myself to stay awake by initiating conversation.

"How did you find out that you're a superdude?" I ask.

The corners of her mouth lift a little, "You don't have to entertain me. I have driven this road alone many times. You need to rest. I promise I'll wake you when we get there."

I give myself a moment to wonder why she doesn't answer my question. I must really be weary if it didn't occur to me that some people might not wish to discuss the discovery of their powers. When I would not be the first to volunteer that information because of the shame I still feel for my lack of control, I should not assume that others will not have the same trepidation. I feel tears welling up in my eyes, so I press them closed, willing myself not to allow my emotions to pour forth.

~~~

I remember closing my eyes, but I do not remember drifting into a dreamless sleep. This time my escape from the horrors of this world was total. Innocenta is gently shaking me awake.

"We're here. Only a few more steps to a comfortable bed and, in the morning, I can give you a tour of my home."

I wipe at my bleary eyes, trying to make the world come back into focus. A yawn escapes me as Innocenta opens her door and steps out onto the dry brown dirt of her driveway. Her house is like many of the houses that I could see from a distance as we traveled through the quiet countryside. It makes me think it was some sort of bizarre jigsaw puzzle before it was a house. Rich brown trim, sets off and holds together the lighter brown segments that appear to be large trapezoidal puzzle pieces. A few window boxes are alive with colorful flowers, giving it a comfortable, homey feel. The air is rich with the scents of flowers from a garden nearby and freshly trimmed grass. I breathe it all in, trying to capture the beauty of it and make it part of me.

"This way," Innocenta says, leading me into the house.

The curtains are pulled closed so only a hint of light filters into the house. Furniture that has seen many years and outlived many stories fills each room. That is not to say that the house appears worn, outdated, or uninviting. To the contrary, this is a home in which much living has been done and much more promises to occur. Time has just left its mark, fortunately, the mark of many calm and peaceful years. I smile to myself, realizing that I have left my bag in my haste to find a peaceful moment of rest. I decide I will deal with it later as Innocenta leads me up the narrow stairway toward another floor.

As she reaches the landing, she squeals in surprise or terror. My heart sinks for a moment, but then she begins to giggle. It is a nervous giggle akin to those one hears from those who have just been the butt of a joke they could not have found amusing even if it was directed at anyone else. I peer past her, trying to see what the joke could be, but I see nothing startling upon the shelves that line the landing.

"Consider this a friendly gift from a random German jester," she says with a smile.

"Ummm...thank you," I reply, as she leads me to my room.

"Here we are," she says, "I hope you'll be able to sleep well."

"I'm sure I will," I reply, surveying the dark hues of brown and green which interlace to form the quilt on the bed.

She smiles at me as she steps backward and closes the door. I pull back the quilt to reveal starched sheets and slip between them, breathing deeply of the unfamiliar but clean fragrance they exude. The scent drifts into my dreams, giving them an air of cleanliness and peace as well.