━━━─── • ───━━━

• Luna •

The welcome scent of coffee wafted through the air, calling Luna's legs to take a rest. A metallic table in the front reflected the sun, nearly blinding her for a minute as she stepped inside the café. It had been six days since she transitioned into another part of the world but believed it to only be a dream.

Her friend, Sefora, left her a message earlier about getting together for lunch to catch up on gossip. She owned an antique jewelry store two doors down and had become well-acquainted with everyone in the French Quarter.

As soon as Luna sat down next to a large window, she saw piles of plastic and paper bags with people's purchases over their tables. The sun warmed her chair just a little, which made it feel comfortable and welcoming.

She looked around for a waitress, craving caffeine. A server, with a short black mini-skirt, teetered Luna's way swiftly in heels.

Luna thought they would be impractical for someone who was on their feet every day, but they helped make the server's legs look amazing. Pulling out a pencil from her tiny apron and asking her normal routine questions, the server took Luna's order, while chewing her gum noisily between each word.

A few minutes had passed and the heat from the coffee radiated Luna's fingertips. In the middle of watching birds from different directions swoop in and hop for stray crumbs to feast on the outside, she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder, startling her.

"Hey, Luna! Have you been waiting long?" Sefora asked her, settling her shopping bags onto the floor.

"No. I just got here," she said, gazing at her friend, and summoning the same server over to their table.

Sefora's skin was the color of mahogany, so rich and deep, and as smooth as a moonstone. When Luna first met her, she felt an immediate connection, like a new song was coming together, creating a unique combination of sounds. Everything about Sefora felt harmonic and comforting, and Luna knew she had found someone she could confide in.

"So, how are you lately? How is Sarah? I haven't seen my baby girl in ages."

She smiled. "I know. The holidays keep me busy. Sarah is good, and my business is doing well."

Luna picked up her coffee and took a sip through her straw.

"I'm glad." Opening her bag and pulling out a bridal magazine, Sefora laid it on the table in front of her. "Look what I grabbed for you at Barnes and Noble. There's a bridal checklist inside, and choices for your wedding are important. You don't want to miss anything on your special day."

Aww, Sefora didn't have to do that.

Luna reached over and gave her a soft hug. "That's so thoughtful. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Just include me as one of your bridesmaids and we'll call it even."

I should have known. Bribery.

"Oh? Is that how it's going to be? You scamming your way into my wedding?" Luna said jokingly.

"You know me," Sefora said, sticking a straw into her latte. "But tell me the real reason you're . . . cagey."

Huh? How did she know something was off?

"Why do you think I'm cagey?"

"Because I know you, Luna Carlyle. Ever since you moved in next to me, I've noticed things. I know when you're clammed up and not acting like your true self."

"You know me well, huh?" Luna asked, and Sefora nodded. "A weird thing happened to me."

"Okay. Well, tell me," Sefora said, reaching for Luna's hand. "What's got you so bothered? Spill the tea!"

"I don't know how to explain it. Or . . . explain it properly."

Oh, God. Here I go. Rambling.

"Well, then, explain it the way you feel like it. Whatever it is, I won't judge you."

"I know that. It's just that . . ."

Luna paused for a moment and glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. She didn't want anyone to hear what was about to come out of her mouth. "I think . . . I think I was hallucinating."

Laying her napkin down, Sefora inched closer. "How so?"

"After I baked cookies for Chase and brought them to him, he thanked me."

"Wait. You bake? I didn't know that."

"Sefora . . ."

Yes, I bake. I thought she knew that when I'd brought her scones before. Maybe she'd forgotten.

"Sorry. Keep going," Sefora urged.

"I think I either dreamed it or hallucinated myself walking in an unfamiliar home. The walls were light brown, and the floors were hardwood, with a shiny tint on top. Like, the owner had mopped it a few hours prior."

Taking a sip of her drink, she asked, "What else did you see?"

"I wasn't in there too long. I walked up to a door that was open and looked inside. And the next thing I saw startled me."

Sefora let out a deep breath and glanced around the café, then back at Luna. "What did you see?"

How should I put this?

Luna was wary of explaining her hallucinations. The last she explained them to her parents and Chase, they had admitted her into a psychiatric hospital. But, maybe this time would be different.

"I saw . . . I saw a man hunched over, praying."

"You think you saw a religious man?" Sefora asked, and Luna nodded. "Did you see what he looked like?"

"No. I brought myself back to my living room and sat on the couch, puzzled. I just sat there and tried to figure out what was going on. "Once again, my mind was playing tricks on me. I was . . . hallucinating."

"When was the last time you saw . . ." Sefora trailed off.

"Sam. You can say his name. Sarah asks about her father sometimes. She is always wanting to know if she mirrors his actions. When she dips her french fries in ice cream, she wants to know if he did that, too. That's my trait. Hell, I even stick a straw in my hot coffee and drink it."

She chuckled, gazing at Luna's coffee cup with a straw inside.

"I haven't imagined Sarah's late father in over a year. And now, I imagine a stranger, who is a Muslim man. I'm losing my mind, Sefora."

"No, you're not. We'll figure this out together." Luna met her gaze and nodded as she continued. "I know you probably see a psychiatrist, but I know someone great with their patients."

Why did I tell her that? I should've realized she'd pushed me onto someone other than my doctor.

"Who are they?" Luna whispered.

Now, I have to play along?

"The doctor runs a psychiatric hospital a few miles from here, in the Northeast part of New Orleans, and he sees patients in his office. His name is Dr. Kim. He can help you figure this thing out."

Luna pressed her lips together and took slow, steady breaths. Talking to a different doctor was out of the question. She believed she was just dreaming, so she didn't want anyone else's perspective. Dr. Dubois, her current doctor, hadn't given her any medicine in a year, so she figured she was fine. She didn't expect to daydream about walking into another man's house, but she didn't need to worry about it. She'd control this delusion, and she'd never go back to her old ways of dealing with stress. She had to, for herself, her daughter, and her fiancé.

"I don't need to talk to anyone else. It was just a blip."

"Are you sure? Dr. Kim is a great doctor. He has helped many people."

Why is she pushing this on me? She's never done this.

Luna nodded, giving Sefora a soft smile. "I'm sure he is. I know you mean well. Forget everything I said. I'll be fine."

When a lady and her daughter walked inside the building, they both peered at them for a moment. The young girl reminded Luna of Mera babysitting Sarah right now at her restaurant.

Glancing around, Luna hopped up and caught Sefora's stare. "I've got to go. Thanks for the magazine and for listening to my pathetic dreams. I'm okay. Seriously."

Luna was interrupted when Sefora jumped up and pulled her into a comforting embrace. "You don't have to be ashamed. I won't say anything to anyone."

I hallucinated somebody. Why shouldn't I be ashamed?

"I need to go to Mera's place and pick up Sarah. She has been watching her for two hours."

"Okay, but if you need anything, call me. You have my number."

Luna nodded and dashed out the front door, worried that her friend would tell Chase and other people about her dream. Sefora was the first one she told this to, and she didn't want to be admitted again into a psychiatric facility.

After their quick catch-up, Luna sighed. There was only one thing she liked to do to relieve stress. And that was to develop and edit photographs.

Once Luna grabbed her daughter, they both entered her photography studio.

"Okay, sweetpea. Mommy's going into the darkroom to develop some photographs. Will you be okay in my office?"

"I'll be fine. I have my coloring sheets," Sarah replied, pulling out her box of crayons from her small backpack.

"Great. I'll sit you at my desk for a short while."

Once Sarah was settled down, Luna grabbed each of them a bottle of water and stood next to a window, gazing outside at the cluttered city.

Bourbon Street had a life of its own, with vibrant music, authentic clothing, and the scent of different food, an aroma that sent a gentle massage to her soul. There was always chatter between sellers and buyers, old friends meeting each other, and new acquaintances made. The French Quarter was busy for sure, but Luna couldn't do without it. She had found a home here and vowed to never leave.

Turning back to her daughter, she grabbed her camera supplies and strolled toward the door. "Do not answer the front door for anyone. If you need me, just knock on the darkroom door and I'll step outside."

"Okay, Mommy."

Luna gave her a quick smile and then stepped into the hallway.

As she crossed the opened threshold of the lobby, she stumbled a little, and a guy with light-brown skin and jet-black hair glanced at her. He was standing in front of the door, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and dress pants. She'd locked it and the buzzer didn't make a beep. 

How did he get in here?

━━━─── • ───━━━

Thank you for reading, Tethered Readers! I appreciate each soul who graces their eyes upon my story! 🤗