“That was an interesting dream you were having just there.” Insomnia said, lightly, as my eyes opened.
“A bit cryptic, ominous, but not altogether bad.” It continued.
I sat back and sighed, eyes open into the darkness.
“You know what it was that woke you? It’s funny, you even heard it in your dream and tried to dismiss it.” Insomnia chuckled at the futility of it, “That banging from your rental’s garage. I remember the last time the winds started up, you swore you’d take care of it. Heh, how’d that work out for you?”
“Gah, leave me alone.” I turned and looked Insomnia in the eyes, “You are so not welcome here.”
It’s ghostly gaze looked back, unperturbed.
“Well, I may have come for the bang bang banging going on outside, but I thought I’d stay for the everything that’s on your mind.”
He leaned forward, “Remember those quotes you were going to get to that customer. He asked you about them last Thursday. It’s Monday now.”
“I handed that off.” I said, now absolutely and unconditionally awake.
“Blindly, yes. You should follow up.” It furrowed it's luminescent brow and gave me an grimacing half smile, “Are you writing this down?”
“No. I am not writing this down.”
“That’s fine. I’ll let you get back to sleep.” It said, now leaning back, but still gazing at me.
I covered my head with my pillow. The winds picked up again.
Bang bang bang
“Hmmm, won’t be able to sleep through that. You are overestimating your powers of ignoring things.” Insomnia whispered, “But, while you’re awake. Did you plan to fix up your other house to sell? Or are you just going to carry both a rental and a mortgage indefinitely? It seems wearying.”
“God, yes, it’s wearying.” I shot back, “What am I supposed to do about it?”
Bang bang bang
“Something?” Insomnia mused, questioningly.
“The times I’m not working, I’m taking care of kids or enjoying my own free time. I need to take care of myself, too, you know.” Then anger touched my voice, “I knew it was going to be like this, too. It’s better just to pay someone else to button the whole thing up for me.”
“That’s a thought. Sacrificing some free time is also a thought.”
“Yeah, I could sacrifice some free time for work, too. That just doesn’t sound like a habit I want to get into.” I scowled at the ceiling.
“Taking some of your own free time to dig yourself out of a bad situation isn’t wholly bad.” Insomnia looked to the ceiling, following my gaze in the lightly lit interior, “Plus, if you take the time now, you’ll make up for the time later. I guarantee it.”
“It’s a flimsy guarantee.”
Bang bang bang
“Think of it this way,” Insomnia said frankly, “The effort it will take to fix the roof of that garage, that little bit of effort, will save you from repeat frustration. See, I like your company and all, but you always seem cranky when I’m around.”
“Heh. Cranky.” I chuckled despite being very cranky.
I got up, put on some clothes and gathered some tools. The ladder was set and I was on the roof in a matter of minutes.
“It’s 4:27 AM, if you get this done quickly, you might be able to get back to bed for a bit?” Insomnia said, its formless shape hovering close.
My response was a flat expression, there was no way I’d be getting back to sleep after this.
“Who puts sheets of tin on a roof? This has to be ancient.” I said, bending down and putting screws into the sheets to hold them in place. The nails had come loose and every gust of wind made the noise like a warbling sort of clashing thunder.
“Very likely. And this isn't tin, this is non-galvanized sheet metal. Tin doesn't rust.” Insomnia said absently.
I glared at it, over my shoulder.
“Know it all.”
“Just being informative.” It shrugged. “It’s a warm night tonight. With all these gusts, it’s a storm front so it’ll be cold tomorrow.”
I nodded. The constant run of information was strangely soothing as I screwed down the remaining shreds of rusted sheet metal. I descended the ladder and put the tools away. Only an hour had passed.
“See? That’s done.” Insomnia smiled. “So, what’s next?”
“I am not doing this now.” I growled.
“You seem to be wide awake to me. Your mind is fresh, might as well take advantage of it.” Insomnia’s passive attitude toward my well-being was less than shocking.
“I have a late night tonight. I am not going to make it worse by getting up this early.” I settled back into bed, staring at the ceiling, a sheen of sweat standing out on my arms from the effort.
“It’s a little warm in here. Maybe you should take a chance and turn on the fan? I know it dries you out, but maybe it’ll be more comfortable?” Insomnia mused absently, glancing around the room for other topics to bring up.
“I’ll deal.” I smirked at Insomnia’s clinging. I closed my eyes took three deep breaths and drifted back to sleep.
