Prompt for Stories from the Jukebox
Prompt By: Annette Sharp
Prompt #44: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by The Eurythmics
The car sat idling in the middle of the court.
“I’ve been in that house and that house and that house,” he said out loud. He looked to his right. “And that house and that house and that house.” He rubbed his forehead gently. “I’ve been in all these houses.” He closed his eyes and let himself wander from room to room in each of the houses remembering what was needed from each room before opening his eyes again. He looked around again hoping a solution would pop out at him like a Jack In The Box but once again disappointment settled in for the long haul. “There has to be more than this to life,” he reflected quietly.
There was a knock on the car window.
Ethan turned his head slowly towards the driver’s window before engaging the down button.
“So good to see you Ethan,” her happy voice stated with enthusiasm that was genuine. “Were you thinking about coming in? I have really missed you,” she seductively said with confidence.
“Selene. Hi,” said Ethan. “I’m not coming in. It’s time for me to move on.”
“What?” Asked Selene. “Why?”
Nathan noticed a door opening and a pair of well tanned legs walking down the steps towards him.
“Glynnis,” called Selene as Glynnis approached the car. “He’s not doing it anymore.”
Glynnis strode up and stood beside Selene. She flipped her long blonde hair. “Not doing it? That’s preposterous.” She turned to Ethan. “But you made promises.”
“Yeah,” said Karen and Gillian as they joined the group.
Ethan looked down and then out at the gathering. “Everyone has a goal in their life. My efforts to help you have brought you together and joined you so that you may function. My work here is fulfilled.”
“I still have questions,” stated a breathless Alexandra who pushed her way to the front.
“There are always answers,” Ethan said. He had been hoping for a quiet goodbye. “Use what you have learned and see the possibilities.”
“Carrie!” called out Selena. “Ethan is leaving us.”
“It’s about time,” replied Carrie as she approached. “What were you expecting? Him to stay here forever? There has to come a time.”
“No!” They said in unison. “He hasn’t finished our sessions.”
“I valued the one on one time,” purred Glynnis.
Carrie looked at Glynnis. “I am sure you will find someone else.”
“Don’t want to,” pouted Glynnis.
Carrie spoke up. “He taught us the difference between interpretation and acceptance. We need to accept Ethan’s decision.”
“Ladies,” said Ethan as they all looked at him with degrees of unhappiness. “Listen to the song. Sing the song. Work together. All will be well in the world.” With those words he started the engine and put the car into drive. He released the break and started moving.
The women all stood in the court watching Ethan pull away. As they faded from his sight in the rear view mirror he took up his mantra.
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Sweet dreams are made of this
“They will be fine,” he said. “I have no regrets.”
I was expecting him to be an angel or guru or something. Love it though
Love this story! what a great match for the song!