MY SLEEPLESS AND DREAMLESS night suddenly caught up with me, and before I knew it, I was snoozing.
**
I was in an unfamiliar house, furnished with denim and suede fabrics, heavy draperies, and shiny crystal chandeliers. Clearly this was another vision. My eyes followed the patterns along the hallway rug until I noticed Zena pressing herself against the wall beneath an ornately framed Monet-like painting. She bent her ear toward the sound of voices arguing in the next room.
"How much longer do we need to prove ourselves to the Kasadu? I'm sick to death of this nowhere town. We're stuck here while our friends back home are getting blessed. Millisande must laugh every time she thinks of us."
"Your sister would never do that," said a man.
"I can't believe it! You still have a thing for her," accused the woman in an acrid voice.
I recognized the voices now. They belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Tayler. Zena's parents.
"We have a good life here," Mr Taylor said. "Why can't you be happy?"