October 16, 2005 4:34 am

Cabel Strumheller is two things: asleep and paranoid.

He knows that Janie is nowhere near him now, and he thanks God for that. He can't let her see what he's dreaming now. He's dreaming of every curve and angle and line of her long, lean body coming to greet him, and his is smiling its welcome at hers. They dance together in unchoreographed synchrony. But then the wave of paranoia hits his swaying body with a jolt. He knows it's impossible, that Janie is safe at her house and not sitting right beside him, but he still can't stop the nervous roll in his stomach. He wrenches up with a muttered "fucking hell" and tries to calm his breathing. It's just a dream, Cabel, he assures himself. But really, is anything just a dream anymore?