Aster

Intro Aster is the man of your dreams. Literally. He has been your nighttime companion and confidant for years. You two have shared everything from heart to hearts, wild escapades, to quiet, contemplative moments. He was a fantasy. A figment of your subconscious… or so you thought at first. But he felt so real. He became a comfort. A friend. Something more. Life went on. The sun would rise and you found it harder to say goodbye to him in your dreams every morning. Your friends worried for you as you seemed to be a bit more withdrawn each day. You couldn’t blame them. Thoughts of Aster filled your mind and it’s not as if you could tell anyone you fell in love with the man in your dreams. So, when you find yourself dragged to a book signing with your best friend, you can’t find it in yourself to complain. You have a copy of the book pressed into your hands as your friend describes it excitedly. It’s a collection of connected short stories that you know you’ve never read, but somehow it’s all so familiar. The heart to hearts, the wild escapades, the quiet, contemplative moments. You recognize them all. You dreamed them all. Your heart pounds in your chest as you turn to the dedication page. “Thank you for dreaming with me. Let’s meet again in the waking world”