In the middle of the night, Gail O'Donelly was completely out cold, sleeping face-down like she had personally declared war on consciousness and won.
Most of her body was tucked beneath the sheets, warm and comfortable. Her bare feet had somehow escaped at the end of the bed, enjoying the cool night air while the rest of her stayed bundled up.
The bedroom was peaceful and still. Pale moonlight stretched quietly across the floor, and beside the bed sat Gail's alarm clock, looking innocent for now.
Of course, if Gail had been awake, she probably would have described it as a tiny electronic villain waiting for the perfect moment to ruin her happiness.
She gave a soft, sleepy mumble into her pillow, shifted slightly, and sank even deeper into sleep.
Then something changed.
The cool bedroom air slowly became warm. The quiet nighttime hum faded into soft, relaxing music, and the gentle scent of lavender seemed to drift through the air.
Gail didn't know it yet, but her peaceful bedroom was already disappearing.
Her dream was taking her somewhere much more relaxing.
Gail reclined in a plush pedicure chair with a magazine open in her hands, looking more relaxed than she had all week.
Her black sandals sat neatly on the floor beside her. One foot rested near the warm, bubbling basin while the nail technician gently scrubbed the sole of the other.
It was perfect.
Soft music floated through the salon, and the air carried a pleasant mix of lavender and citrus. Around her, other patrons chatted quietly while enjoying their own manicures and pedicures.
Gail turned a page in her magazine and smiled to herself.
This is the life.
No workout timer.
No errands.
And, most importantly, definitely no snakes.
The technician moved the brush lightly across Gail's sole.
Gail twitched.
Then she bit her lip, trying very hard not to laugh.
“Sorry,” she said, hiding a grin behind the magazine. “I'm a little ticklish.”
The technician smiled.
“I'll be gentle.”
Gail relaxed again and sank deeper into the chair.
If every day included a comfortable seat, soft music, and someone making her feet feel fabulous, she could definitely get used to being spoiled.
The front door suddenly flew open.
A nearly heavy-set man in dark clothes and a black mask stormed into the salon, waving a handgun.
The peaceful music kept playing overhead.
Somehow, that made the whole thing feel even more bizarre.
“You all bitch@s give me all your money right now; this is a robbery!”
The entire salon froze.
One customer threw both hands into the air, apparently forgetting that one of them was still wrapped in foil.
Another ducked behind a manicure table that was nowhere near large enough to hide her.
Gail slowly lowered her magazine.
Seriously? During my pedicure?
“Wallets! Purses! Everything!” the robber shouted.
Nobody moved.
The nail technician stood completely still, still holding the little scrub brush in midair.
Then the robber pointed directly at Gail.
“If nobody cooperates, she’s first!”
Gail’s amber eyes widened.
She glanced down at her half-finished pedicure, then looked back at him.
Of course I’m first. I haven’t even picked a polish color yet.
The robber began counting.
“1…”
Gail gripped the arms of the chair.
“2…”
Her magazine slipped into her lap.
“3!”
BAM!
A shrill electronic alarm exploded beside Gail’s head.
She jolted awake so suddenly that the sheets bounced and her feet kicked once at the end of the bed.
Gail stared around her bedroom, breathing hard.
No robber.
No frightened customers.
No tiny scrub brush hovering over her foot.
Just warm morning sunlight, tangled sheets, and an alarm clock making enough noise to wake half the neighborhood.
She reached over and silenced it.
“It was only a dream...”
With a relieved groan, Gail dropped her face back onto the pillow.
Her bare feet were still uncovered at the end of the bed, perfectly safe — although noticeably missing the nice finished pedicure her dream had promised her.
For a few seconds, she simply lay there.
Then she wiggled her toes.
“Well,” Gail mumbled into the pillow, “at least the robber didn’t charge me for the appointment.”
And with that, her terrifying trip to the nail salon was officially over. 😄
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