Sunrise Sunset

Sarah covered the distance quickly. She ran into the house, flashed a quick smile at her family before running into the kitchen.
Dee’s number was dialled and Sarah was drumming her fingers on the top of the phone, impatient for it to start ringing. ‘Try to keep calm Sarah’ she was telling herself. ‘Dee is fine.’
During the run home Sarah’s need to contact Dee started to overwhelm her until it was the only thing she could think of.
Karen walked into the kitchen with her face full of questions. She looked to Sarah pointedly. Sarah understood exactly what Karen thought of her dashing out so abruptly this morning and then running back in with very little greeting. It was rude and inconsiderate, and very unlike Sarah. Sarah was normally more considerate of the others in the house.
“I’m worried about Dee” Sarah put hand and over the mouthpiece. “I’m calling to check up on her.”

Karen nodded and stayed silent while Sarah turned her attention back to the ringing in her ear. It was easy to worry about Dee, the entire family looked on her as a grandmother and Sarah was the closest to her.

Time passed and there was no answer. Sarah’s face paled but she held on to the phone. She was hoping that it would be answered; trying to convince herself Dee was in the bathroom or garden and couldn’t get to the phone quickly. Karen walked over to Sarah and put a hand on her shoulder.
After about 15 rings Sarah’s mind was full of images. The phone ringing in an empty house while Dee was unconscious, unable to answer it. Sarah couldn’t stand not knowing if Dee was ok. She had been acting so strangely the past few days.
Sarah hung up the phone with a shaky hand. ”I’m going over.” She said her voice full of desperation.
“Of course.” Karen gave Sarah a comforting squeeze and watched her walk to the car silently hoping for the best with Dee and her stepdaughter.

It wasn’t until Sarah had left the street that Karen realised Dee might have gone for a walk and just wasn’t at home.

The drive to Dee’s small bungalow was one of the longest journeys Sarah had ever made.
A total of 8 miles, but each millimetre brought another horrific scenario into Sarah’s mind. Images of Dee on the floor in pain and struggling to get up, or of Dee unconscious in the kitchen, her medication spilt all around her. Over and over again the pictures flashed in front of her, calling her deeper into panic and worry. She was determined not to cry though. She wasn’t going to break down; she would be calm and get to Dee to help her. Nothing would keep Sarah from being there.
Sarah owed that to Dee. Through minor heart break and late teenaged angst Dee had been there. Dee had helped Sarah pick out her dress for her Senior Prom. Dee listened to Sarah as she struggled into the adulthood she was determined to obtain, had helped Sarah reason through her conflicting emotions she had when dealing with her mother and Karen. Dee had held Sarah’s hand when Toby had to be rushed to the hospital after he had fallen from a tree. Now that she needed help Sarah would do everything to be by Dee’s side.

Finally Sarah was at the last intersection before Dee’s street. The light was red and the traffic was slow today. A couple of pedestrians were crossing in front of her. She silently willed them to go faster without really paying attention as to who they were.
Finally as the walk sign started to flash the younger man helped the elderly woman back onto the pavement.
Sarah’s mind continued analysing the traffic waiting for her chance to move; the pedestrians were forgotten.
The red light changed, and Sarah started down the road.


She pulled into the drive and noticed that the gate was locked. Dee only locked the gate if she had gone out for a walk. Relief overwhelmed Sarah as she unlatched the gate and walked into the yard. Dee wasn’t lying on the floor unconscious or hurt on the floor. She was out and about getting some exercise.
As Sarah unlocked the front door with her key she giggled to herself. She was so silly thinking tragic thoughts, picturing Dee helpless. It was if Sarah expected the worse. ‘I guess I haven’t entirely left my love of drama behind me. I mean I’m not her mother. Dee is a grown woman. She may be elderly but she isn’t infirm. Still I do worry about her. Maybe I should talk to her about getting one of those alarm buttons you wear around your neck.’

Sarah put on the kettle and got out two china cups while humming to herself. It was a tune she almost knew, but couldn’t quite place. Like a fragment of a dream.

“That’s a lovely tune dear.” A voice called from the door. Sarah hadn’t heard it open but rushed to Dee’s side and give her a fierce hug.
“Now where did this come from?” Dee chuckled returning the younger woman’s embrace.
“I just wanted a hug.” Sarah shrugged and pulled away. “I’ve started making some tea.”
“Good, good.” Dee shuffled in from the doorway but didn’t close the door behind her. Just before Sarah could shut the door Jareth walked in holding a plastic carrier bag.
“Umm,” Sarah was taken aback.
“Oh yes,” Dee turned around. “It will have to be tea for three. Jareth please give the milk to Sarah.” She offered a smile to the two in the door.

Throughout this exchange Jareth’s face had been an arrogant mask. He just smiled and handed her the plastic bag before letting himself in.

Sarah held the bag numbly and watched the two of them walk into the living room. What did he think he was doing walking into Dee’s house like this? What was he up to? Sarah was about to charge in and demand some answers from him when the kettle whistled.
“Sarah, please brin son some cookies as well.” Dee’s voice stilled the younger woman. Dee, in her current health didn’t need Sarah storm in and attack her guest. Dee would probably ask question and Sarah didn’t know how she could answer them. No it was better to work at this with a calm head.

Sarah shut the door before returning to the kitchen. She had only ever told Toby about the Labyrinth, it had been his adventure as well. Sarah couldn’t really lie to Dee, but she doubt Dee would understand all that happened in the Labyrinth, Some of it Sarah doubted she would share with anyone.

Thinking about it while she poured the hot water into the teapot, Dee had accepted Jareth pretty quickly. Which was very strange, Dee was timid around men and she never invited a customer to her home. Two thoughts struck Sarah as she finished setting the tray.

One that there was something between Dee and Jareth that Sarah felt she needed to know, and two that all of this was tied into the lucid dream she had last night.

Jareth wasn’t your run of the mill book collector. Heck Sarah even doubted he was human; he hadn’t aged a day in 7 years. But did Dee know the truth about Jareth, or did Sarah know the truth.

It was time to find out.

Sarah walked into the living room determined to get some answers when she saw something that made her drop the tray she was carrying.

The teapot bounced once and shattered spraying porcelain and tea around it. But Sarah didn’t notice.

Her eyes were on Dee slumped into her chair, her face pale and covered in sweat. Jareth was standing over her holding one arm in his hand, and touching her forehead.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah rushed over.

“She just turned white and started to sweat.” He said. “She won’t let me help her” his voice was tight and controlled.

“I’m calling the ambulance. Keer uer upright and get her to drink something.” Sarah rushed to the phone in the hall. “Don’t let her pass out!” She called over her shoulder.

Sarah called the emergency number and luckily there was a paramedic near by. They had Dee laid out on a stretcher and hooked up to a drip in 15 minutes.
Sarah walked Dee to the ambulance, holding tightly to the older woman’s hand.
“I’m not letting go, I won’t let you leave me.” She kept whispering, fully determined to get into the back of the vehicle with Dee.

“Miss, I suggest you drive to the hospital. That way you can go home when you need to.” The Paramedic said before he and his co-worker lifted the stretcher into the back of the ambulance.

Sarah though about it for a minute and was about to shake her head no when she saw Jareth out of the corner of her eye.

He couldn’t come with her in the back of the ambulance there wasn’t room. She would have to bring him in her car.
“Alright, but take very good care of her until I get there ok?” Sarah looked at Dee, “Don’t let go.” Then the vehicle was loaded and the ambulance was off.
Sarah locked the doors and the gate before getting into the car. Jareth was still standing there looking at a loss.

“Come on, we’ve got to get to the hospital.” Sarah called.

When they had both gotten in and Sarah started the car she sighed. “Ok, we need to talk. I don’t want to disturb Dee any more so we are going to talk on the way to the hospital.”
Jareth nodded and his face became the arrogant mask she remembered.

“Fine,” she put the car into reverse and started towards the hospital.
“You know Dee don’t you, you’ve known her longer than a few days.”
“Such a clever girl.” His cool voice was full of mocking and arrogance.
“I’ll take that as a yes. So how long have you known each other?”
“Longer than I have know you my sweet.”
“That’s not the answer I was looking for but ok.” Unfazed by his aloof behaviour she continued. “How well does she know you?”
“Well enough.” He kept his face turned away from her watching the passing traffic almost bored.
“You’re being deliberately vague.” She hurled at him, “I need some answers before I see her. She is weak en and and I don’t want this affecting her recovery. Just answer my questions so I can figure out how to deal with this situation.”
“What situation is that Sarah?” this time he did look at her when he spoke.
“This situation, you, me, her, US.” She snorted “That dream I had, was that her and you. Were the two of you dancing?”
“Dream Sarah?” he asked innocently.
“That dream I had last night. I was sitting in a ballroom; you and another woman were dancing. She pushed you away as she got older, she danced by herself until a child started to dance with her. Was that you and Dee?”

He was silent for a whiles fas face closed. Jareth tilted his head and looked at Sarah. “I had no knowledge of this dream of yours until you spoke of it Sarah. But I think you might be correct.”
“You think?”
“I have been watching your dreams for a long time Sarah. I know your heart, but this dream is unknown to me, though it parodies certain aspects of my life and Dee’s.”

“Ok spill it. I need to know what you are to Dee and who she is to you.” Sarah took her eyes off the road and looked directly into Jareth’s eyes. “No riddles now.”

“Dee, or Delphina as I know her, is” he closed his eyes and was silent.
Sarah grew impatient with his stalling; they were almost at the hospital. “Is what Jareth?”
“My wife.”