Compass Welcomes You

                 It had been six months since Grandpa surprised me with breakfast. Six months and not even another dream. I had been the only one who remembered. This was astonishing. The new memories hit like a slap in the face. I walked out of my room. There he was cooking breakfast. I was puzzled. Then a flood of memories came back. Him watching movies with them, taking them for beach walks, and camping. It was at that moment that I chose to accept these newfound memories and enjoy the fact that he was back.

                Although, my mind had an itch. Why did I only sleep and wake up over the last six months. Darkness. Purgatory. I felt as if I was lost in a world, all my own. It had to be, right? My own creation. I am still dreaming. I think. Well if i was dreaming, I could have anything I want. I want a horse! Hmm. No horse. I want a hyper car! No hyper car. 

                Ah, who am I kidding? If I could have anything in the world, I guess I would be like anyone. I would bring back a loved one. We all preach about wanting riches and fame or being fit and good looking with hair. Not I. I just wanted my Grandpa back and somehow, there he was. I had to accept my reality after about the last six months of puzzling. Grandpa is alive and I don't dream anymore because my dreams have come true. Well one dream. 

                Now another six months had passed. I invited Grandpa for a beach walk on the one year anniversary of him being alive again. I was sure he didn't know the significance of the date that I asked him to go for a private walk with me. Without sounding like a I had lost my mind, I wanted to tell him. We drove to the beach and he had asked if we could stop to get a special breakfast. I knew what that meant. Cola and a pack of coconut chocolates with almonds on top. Breakfast of champions, he would say. 

               We stopped at the Circle V Market on Highway 20. His favorite spot to stop since we moved from our hometown of Compass. He said it was the only place that reminded him of the Compass, California Quick Stop. He went inside and I stepped out to fill up. I looked at the price sign and was taken aback. It was Purple and White. No longer the trade mark red and black that Circle V had been known for. The header no longer read "Circle V" either. It read "Compass Welcomes You."

                I looked around. For what? I wasn't sure. Something familiar. 

"Welcome back," An angelic voice behind me said.

                I turned around and there she was. The beautiful figure. I am dreaming again! 

"You, your, your back," I stammered 

"Yes. I apologize for  my tardiness," she began. "How is your grandpa?

"Alive," I replied.

"So it worked," she smiled. "You are worthy."

"What do you mean?" 

"I must tell the others. A person like you only arrives once every thousand years," She began pacing as she spoke.  She then turned to me, "William, you are very special."

"What am I?"

"You are the keeper of dreams with the power to bless those souls that are lost," She smiled.

"What does that mean?"

"You are a Lamplighter!" She exclaimed.