Next Big Book Thing: Dermot Davis – Excerpts from Stormy Weather

“Dreams are important because they give us valuable information about our lives. When they’re scary dreams… sometimes it means that there’s something in our lives that frightens us but that we’re ignoring or denying because they are too fearful for us to face up to or maybe we aren’t aware that we’re afraid.” Robert knew that he was not explaining himself very well at all. Edward’s perplexed expression confirmed this.

“So, there’s something in my life that I’m not facing up to?” asked Edward, struggling to understand the therapist.

“Exactly,” said Robert.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, this is stupid,” Edward said wearily.

“Let’s say, if I had that dream, I’m being chased by dragons… maybe I’m worried about paying the mortgage or my bills. See, then the dragons maybe represent the landlord or the bank, you see? For you, maybe you’re afraid of being picked on by those two bullies, what are their names?”

“Brent and Randy.”

“Brent and Randy,” repeated Robert, hoping he successfully got his message across.

“You think the dragons are really Brent and Randy?”

“Could be. The only way to know for sure is to ask them.”

“You want me to ask Brent and Randy if they’re really dragons?” Edward asked incredulously.

“No,” explained Robert, talking more slowly, and trying to choose his words more carefully, “I want you to ask the dragons who they are… in your dream.”

“How do I do that?”

“This is the difficult part. You have to stop running in the dream and instead, turn around and face them.” Robert paused, allowing Edward to digest this new information. He didn’t want to lose the boy now, now that he might finally be able to give him some valuable tools that would help him cope.

“Turn around and face them?” Edward repeated, hoping it would begin to make more sense to him.

“Exactly. You don’t even know if they really are dragons, do you?”

“But I’m asleep, Dr. Monro. How can I ask…”

“By waking up in your dream,” said Robert, putting a final postscript on the concept.

“Waking up in the dream?” said Edward, now completely lost.

“Before you go to sleep, tell yourself that you’re going to turn around and, when you get the chance, ask these dragons what it is that they really want. Keep saying to yourself, ‘Stop running. Turn around. Take charge.’ Then, when you wake up during your dream, even though you are still asleep, you’ll remember what to do.”