/lit/ - Literature

On the night of September 25th I dreamt of Madison and Chris. The appearance of Chris isn’t so bizarre; either this month or last marks his birthday. I sent him no celebratory note (as I still do with Maya), partially out of lazy-and-or-forgetful-ness and also because he would probably feel less guilty hearing from me. This is likely a projection of my feelings towards Stephen upon my friendship with Chris but even if so, does it matter?
In that dream world, Chris had a significant other. That isn’t so alien even though he had no one in the year I knew him. She was tall and raven-haired; not Julia, the girl of his desires but someone good for him. Someone who finds me obnoxious; I’m aware of the latter because she has appeared in past dreams where there was contention. Even so, I would be okay with that if Chris was happy. He deserves happiness and I will forever feel regret for always bothering him.
I find myself tempted now to write to him but I know how distracted I’d be if Stephen did the same out of the blue.
I guess I should talk about the dream; Chris was preoccupied and left me alone with Madison. I felt like I was waiting for my father to return; Madison and I were discussing my failures with a friend she’d set me up with, her playing the wingman role. Suddenly there was a profession of affection from both parties; we embraced and understood that we wanted each other. She removed all her clothes and she laughed when I pulled her to me from behind, my loins against hers. I felt lust but also contentment; we didn’t have sex. I should mention that I’m a virgin but have had sex dreams every so often.
Dad arrived almost immediately and knocked on the door. I’m not sure where we were, maybe a high end single-wide trailer. When he came in I think he noticed Madison redressing; this gave me a feeling of pride and I think he would approve of her; the dream ended soon after.
The analysis here I guess would start with the fact that I’ve probably never said two words to Madison in my life. I think she smiled at me once when there was a golf tourney and we passed each other in the clubhouse. Hell, I’ve probably spoken more to her mother, who was a substitute teacher at our high school. Now that I think about it, the last time I saw either of them was the first time I went out with my parents after returning from Chicago. I don’t think Madison recognized me but her mother quizzed me about my time away.
I spoke with my faux confidence, something I did often then and sometimes still do now but less often. I was hyper aware of Madison being present in the pew behind me and also of other people present that I knew. This was before I received treatment and medication but I think I was more or less lucid at the time. If I had to do it over, I’d probably say the same things I remember saying then.

How does one write a character who just experienced a traumatic event?