“Let’s go! Let’s go!” she squealed excitedly. “I did it! It’s done!”
She dropped into the driver’s seat, rocking the car, and fired up the engine with one fluid motion. “It was so easy!” She panted for breath, likely from the release of tension that had built up over the last hour.
“What took so long?” Martin asked.
“Nothing. There was no one there in the office. It was super quiet. I waited a couple minutes to see if anyone was going to show up, and when they didn’t I went back to the principal’s office—his door was open—and left the letter on his desk. Front and center where he won’t miss it.”
“That’s perfect!” Martin cried, still hesitant to get too excited, knowing the past wouldn’t let this slip by so easily.
“I know. It was like the perfect storm of events. Perfect timing for everything. I’m so excited!”
Sonya drove like normal again, throwing caution to the wind as she zigzagged through town in search of the freeway. “I can’t believe how easy that whole trip was. It’s like the past wanted us to deliver that letter.”
“Right. Seems like it was the first easy thing the past has let me do.”
“Let me do,” she corrected him.
“Of course.”
Martin and Sonya, two vigilantes traveling through time and saving the world one catastrophe at a time. I’m the brains, she’s the muscle.
It would make for a silly movie, but maybe it could be their reality. He’d need to wait to find out to see if all this trouble was worth it. They wouldn’t know until 1999 to see if the shooting had occurred or not, and still, it would actually be 2018 when he got the chance to look it up.
Martin leaned back in his seat, a sense of ease settling for the first time in many days. He gazed out the window, thinking of the next ten weeks ahead until his attempt to save his daughter.
41
Chapter 41
Martin and Sonya spent the next two weeks trying to return to normalcy. With her off for the summer, and Martin’s secret out of the bag, they spent every waking moment together. Martin had a follow-up appointment where the doctor told him he was progressing as expected in his mental recovery.
His memory gradually returned, but he still had momentary lapses where he “spaced out” as the doctor explained, something that would likely stay with him forever. Dr. Lincoln suggested he do mental exercises to counter the forgetfulness, so Sonya bought him a stack of crossword puzzles, word searches, and new books to read for the summer.
“No TV until you’ve spent two hours in one of those books,” she had told him.
Martin was never one for reading or any “mindless” activities, as he believed crossword puzzles were, but he also knew if he didn’t take his rehabilitation seriously, he’d punch a quick ticket to the senior home with Alzheimer’s in a few years.
I wonder if I’ll still be affected when I return to 2018. Like when you die in a dream, it doesn’t mean you die in real life. Time heals everything, right?
Time did heal Sonya’s libido; she tried to jump his bones nearly every night. Martin typically agreed, but other nights he was too fatigued. Migraines struck some days, leaving him curled up on the couch with his hands grasping his head, trying to pull the pain out of his skull.
The only headaches he had previously were after nights of heavy drinking. Those held no comparison to the railroad stake drilled into his brain from the migraines. The doctor prescribed painkillers in anticipation of this, but they only dulled the pain to an uncomfortable throb.
These days were the worst. He couldn’t go outside until nighttime, couldn’t watch TV, couldn’t focus on anything. Sonya cared for him, making sure he stayed hydrated and took as many naps as possible to get through the day.
In sickness and in health, Martin thought as Sonya felt more like his wife every passing day. Even on the worst of days, her grace sent a fluttering throughout his body, and he knew everything would work out for the best.
Since they had missed their planned trip, Sonya proposed a getaway to the mountains. She had a friend with a cabin willing to give them the place for a week. Martin gratefully accepted the invitation, needing a change of scenery after so much time trapped in the living room.
The day they left was a bad migraine day for Martin, so Sonya forced him to take a sleeping pill while she drove the two and a half hours to Snowmass Village. Martin resisted at first, but the urge to bang his head against the wall was the deciding factor in his agreement.
“I drove us across town with our lives on the line. I think I can handle a simple trip to the mountains,” Sonya said as he swallowed the pills.
“I know. I’m sorry. I just hate feeling so helpless. You’ve done so much – everything for me. I just want to return the favor.”
“It’s only because I love you,” she said with a grin. “And don’t worry, you’ll be returning the favor when you’re back to your complete self. You’re gonna cook me dinner and rub my feet every night for a month.”
“I look forward to it.”
Martin reclined his seat and dozed as Sonya drove out of the city.
* * *
Martin woke to the sound of crunching gravel beneath the tires as they pulled into a steep, uphill driveway. Rocks bigger than him lined the driveway, and tall trees swayed gently in the breeze. The cabin waited at the top of the hill, its faded exterior revealing that it had gone through plenty of seasons in the Rocky Mountains. The white garage door slid open, revealing two open spaces and a collection of cleaning supplies on a lone shelf.
“I’ve never had a garage in my life,” Sonya commented. “Not growing up, not now. Let’s see what the big fuss is.” She parked the car with a childish grin.
“You’re funny,” Martin said, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. His migraine had reduced to a minor throb, much more manageable to get through the day. “The only garage I ever had was used for storage when I was a kid, so I’ve never really parked in one either.”
They parked and Sonya jumped out of the car, stretching after the long drive. Martin felt refreshed and ready to explore his new home for the next week.
“Leave the bags, let’s go look around,” Sonya said, her voice echoing in the garage.
Martin shuffled to the door he presumed led inside, and watched as Sonya jiggled the key before pushing it open. The exterior may have looked rundown, but the interior was immaculate and likely remodeled within the last few years. Hardwood floors gleamed, Southwestern art decorated the walls as they walked down a short hallway into the kitchen where granite counter tops and sparkling appliances awaited. The kitchen sink overlooked the mountains with a breathtaking view. The kitchen connected to the living room where an L-shaped couch was tucked into the corner, a throw rug in the center of the floor, and a TV above an idle fireplace.
“This is much bigger than it looks from the outside,” Martin commented, noticing Sonya’s bulging eyes as she studied every nook and cranny of the cabin.
“Yeah,” she said thoughtlessly. “It has a basement. That’s where the master bedroom is.”
Martin remained in the kitchen while Sonya studied a rack of VHS movies in the living room. He looked out the window to the green mountains, admiring nature’s beauty. The sight brought back that tug, tempting him to stay in 1996 and continue living his life without a concern of returning to 2018. He could even earn enough money to buy a place like this, and they could live happily ever after, watching the sun rise over the horizon every morning.
“I’m gonna go check out the basement,” he said as Sonya made her way to the kitchen.
“Okay, I’ll be right down. I wanna see what all’s in this kitchen. We may need to run into town and get some groceries, but she told me there should be enough in the pantry for us.”
Martin crossed into the living room where a side door opened to a staircase. The wooden steps creaked and groaned underneath his feet as they led him to the first carpeted area of the house.
&nbs
p; The entire basement was the master bedroom. A king-sized bed was centered between two nightstands, facing the wall where a TV stood on top of a shelving unit with more VHS movies. The master bathroom was separated by a curtain serving as a door. Martin hurried across the room in the opposite direction, though, noticing a door that led outside to a deck.
He stepped onto the deck to find another amazing mountain view, this one facing west where they could watch the sunset. A hot tub was covered, but he could hear the water bubbling beneath the cover’s surface. Who is this friend you have, Sonya?
“A good friend to keep around,” a voice said from behind, causing Martin to jump. He automatically knew the voice and goosebumps immediately covered his flesh.
He turned to find Chris standing in the doorway. The old man leaned against the door jam with his arms crossed and that familiar evil grin.
“Are we going for a dip, Marty?” he asked in a menacing voice.
“Why are you here, Chris? You said you weren’t coming back. Is the future too boring?”
As much as the old man terrified Martin, he still felt the confidence to be stern with him.
“Yes, yes, I know I said I was never coming back, but it sounds like you’re in more desperate need than I anticipated.”
“If you can jump through time, shouldn’t you have already known you were going to need to come back?”
“I knew it was possible, but you could’ve always changed your mind. It’s like how God knows what you’re going to do before you do it, but he still gives you the free will to decide for yourself.”
“Is this about Columbine? Are you upset I’m trying to stop it?”
“No, that is something we can discuss later, when you return. I love your ambition. I’m here because you’ve decided to stay here in the past and live out life like 2018 doesn’t exist.”
Martin watched Chris cautiously, not sure if he should respond.
“You can’t stay here, Martin.” Chris spoke like a scolding parent. “If you stay, then I don’t get my payment. Did you forget about our agreement?”
“Of course not; I owe you my emotions.”
Chris grinned, his face softening. “Precisely. I can’t take that from you if you stay here. You have to return to your present time to settle your debts. If you don’t, well, let’s just say it’s in your best interest to pay up.”
The old man’s eyebrows elevated above his evil smirk, a maniac expression that would haunt Martin forever. Chris wasn’t bluffing.
“I’ll return to 2018 after I save my daughter,” Martin said, defeated. “I want to bring Sonya with me. How does this all affect her?”
“Yes, of course,” Chris said, clapping his hands together in celebration. “It works like anything else. As long as she’s making contact with you when you take the pill, she’ll come with you.”
“But how is it for her? Does she fall asleep with me? Does she get the glowing skin?”
“Look at you with all of your knowledge. I’m very proud of you, Marty. I honestly expected you to drink for six months, but you’ve made an honest man out of yourself.”
“Answer my questions,” Martin demanded, not giving a shit what the old man thought about his life choices.
“She’ll be travelling through time as property—that’s just how it works for anything or anyone who doesn’t take the pill.
“So her body doesn’t stay asleep here?”
“Nope. She gets a free ride with you. Like a buddy pass.” Chris giggled at Martin. “But why would you want to bring her with you when you’re gonna become an emotional dud? Surely she’ll want nothing to do with you once you can’t even fake a laugh.”
“Leave,” Martin barked, ready to choke the bastard. “Get out of here. Go back to wherever you came from.”
Chris smirked, still leaning on the doorway. “Marty, my friend. It’s a good thing we’re friends, isn’t it? We can have these heated discussions without worrying about breaking our bond. We go together like a fly and a frog’s tongue.” Chris stood stiffly, and Martin mirrored the action, noticing he had slouched. “I’ll leave you alone. I just wanted to stop by and make sure you were still coming home. It’s your first time working with me, so I thought I’d give you a warning. Be back in 2018 by October 1, or else I’ll come looking for you.”
Chris pointed at Martin with a skeletal finger, swirling it in a circular slow motion.
“Ta-ta for now. Give Sonya my best.”
Chris pivoted and disappeared into the master bedroom. By the time Martin rushed in, he was already gone.
“Everything okay down there?” Sonya shouted from the top of the stairs.
“Yes!” Martin yelled back, pushing his fear away. “Just admiring the basement. There’s a hot tub!”
His voice sounded normal to himself, and he hoped it projected that way.
“I’ll be right down. Didn’t bring a swimsuit – guess we’ll have to get in naked.”
Martin hadn’t been naked in a hot tub with a woman since college. The thought started to excite him, but his mind remained stuck on Chris. He hated how easily the old man could show up and find him in the most intimate of places. He stared into the vast woods of the mountains, wondering where the secret eyes were that followed his every move.
Martin crossed the room to the foot of the stairs. “Can you bring me a glass of whiskey when you come down, please?”
“Coming right up!” she responded, her voice echoing down the stairwell.
Just have a drink and relax. You’re in a beautiful cabin with your girlfriend. Make love to her in the hot tub like you were 20 again. Don’t worry about that old fuck.
Martin repeated these thoughts on a loop, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake the image of that maniacal grin, secretive voice, and frosty white hair. He just wanted to go home and forget he had ever traveled back in time. 22 years had already passed without Izzy, so he’d have 20 more miserable years left to live should he return now, and could trim a few off with more cigarettes and whiskey.
He could explain to Sonya his decision, apologize for dragging her this far into his mess, and pop the pill before she could realize what was happening. Tears streamed down his face as he listened to his own doubtful thoughts.
“Suck it up,” he said to himself. “You’ve come this far.”
He pictured Izzy walking home from school, her ponytail swinging side to side, her smile showing both flashes of her youth and her pending womanhood.
I promise I’ll save you.
42
Chapter 42
The scorching heat of July gave way to an even hotter August. Martin continued his mental rehabilitation, and found a helpful recovery in reading, helping him regain vocabulary skills. He gave The Notebook a try after hearing Sonya rave about it so much, and found he enjoyed the story, although he’d never admit it to a group of strangers.
“I’ve been thinking about the future,” Sonya said one night at dinner. “What happens here? If I go away, will there be people wondering where I am? Or does my life just vanish?”
“Time just sort of stops,” he said, not having a clue how it actually worked traveling forward in time.
“What happens if I die in the future?” she asked.
“Of course you’re gonna die in the future. We all do.” Martin offered a smile, but Sonya was in no mood for jokes.
“I’m being serious, Martin. If my life is in danger like yours is here, I just want to know what happens.”
“You won’t be in any danger. I promise.” He reached across the table and embraced her hand, rubbing slow circles around her palm with his thumb. “When we arrive, I’ll fill you in on everything you’ll have missed. I could go over the major events, but it’ll be helpful to have Google.”
“Google?”
“Sorry. It’s a website where you look up anything you ever wanted. It’s like Yahoo, but a million times better.”
Sonya nodded, grasping the simplest idea of the futu
re internet juggernaut.
“You know,” Martin said. “I was considering staying in 1996 with you. Just leaving my life behind in the future and seeing where it goes from here. I wanted you to know that you aren’t the only one who made a difficult decision. I thought long and hard about it, but decided it’s not best for me to stay in a world where I already exist. That alone is a high risk. And then there’s Izzy. If I stay in 1996 and save her, that leaves her with two fathers and a world of confusion. I’d still have to watch her life from afar, and that’s not what I want to do. I want to be in her life.”
Sonya nodded. “I love you,” she said. “That’s the only reason I’m going with you. I’m terrified. Don’t you know how scary this is?”
“Of course I do. I had to do it by myself coming here. I’m just glad I have someone to share the experience with now.”
“I just want you to be happy. What happened to your daughter is disgusting. I couldn’t imagine living another day if something like that happened to me. You deserve to keep her safe and return to a normal life with her.”
“You’re an amazing woman,” he said. “I’ve never known anyone with such a big heart. I only hope I can make it up to you, and make your life everything you want it to be in the future.”
“I know you will. I wouldn’t take this leap if I didn’t believe so. I’ve been having some weird dreams.”
“What about?”
“This old man. He never says his name when I ask; he only smiles. But it’s not a friendly smile; it’s pure evil.”
Martin nodded. He wouldn’t let her know the truth about the man she had visions of. If she knew he was waiting for them in the future, she might reconsider going.
Oh, that old man? He’s only the keeper of time, and sure, he’s probably from hell and has dinner with Hitler every night, but he’s a nice guy, don’t you think?
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