Life works in strange ways. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish what is real from what is not.

 

Dream or reality? It may be hard to tell, as you will see in . . .

 

 

Accidental Miracle

 

They both were convinced

it was just a dream—

nothing more.

But how could both of them

have dreamed

the same thing?

 

Three weeks earlier,

they met at the mall.

Well, not exactly met.

He tripped

over the leash

of her service dog,

pulling her down

beside him.

 

Gazing into her eyes,

a spark ignited within.

Neither of them spoke,

as he grasped her hand

to help her up.

 

Unsure, she pulled it back,

leaving him confused.

Kneeling before her,

he asked, “May I help you

to your feet?”

 

She nodded

and gave him her hand.

Standing, he pulled her up

carefully.

What he saw,

made him cringe—

braces draped

around both legs.

 

Unsteady, she wobbled

back and forth.

Her large German Shepard, Wallace,

pushed her against a sign post,

as she grabbed it for support.

Steadying herself,

she smiled and said,

“Thank you.”

 

They parted ways.

He thought

he’d never

see her again.

 

That was three weeks ago,

or so he thought.

For when he woke up

this morning

from a deep sleep,

the episode rushed

through his head,

as many dreams

he had, in the past,

had done before.

 

Was this just a recap

of an earlier dream?

Or had he met

this woman?

But how would he know?

He didn’t even know

her name.

 

She awoke,

startled by a dream

she believed

she’d had before.

But did she?

Or was it real?

 

Not one

to let “sleeping dogs lie,”

she got out of bed,

dressed,

affixed her braces

to her legs,

attached Wallace’s leash,

and drove to the mall.

 

He dressed,

grabbed a handful of grapes,

exited the house,

mounted his motorbike,

and headed to the mall.

 

He had no idea

what to expect.

Why did he even think

she might be there?

What were the chances?

 

Wallace placed his head

in her lap,

as she drove.

What was she doing?

This was crazy.

 

Both parked

in different

parking lots,

and entered

through sliding glass doors,

on opposite sides

of the shopping plaza.

 

They headed toward

the place they had “met

in the dream”—

the place

they had found themselves

entangled in the dog’s leash.

 

Not aware

of the other’s presence,

they proceeded

with caution

to the area in front

of the bridal shop.

 

As fate,

would have it,

a year later

a joyful crowd sat

in St. Michael’s Church,

smiling, as they watched

Ethan and Maria,

with Wallace,

the “best dog,”

by her side,

standing in front

of the preacher.

 

Ethan’s heart melted,

as he said, “I Do.”

He looked at Maria

and whispered,

“This is what I’d hoped for—

an ‘accidental miracle.’”

 

 

Copyright © 2021 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.