"Peter?"
Peter walked over to the bed and placed his hand on Jordan's forehead. He addressed Kale and Andi without taking his eyes from the little girl. "She's a beautiful child, very much like her namesake."
Kale approached Peter and placed a hand on his shoulder. "What can you tell us?"
Peter turned to address them. "As you might guess, she's in pretty rough shape. We know her spinal cord is severed, but we have yet to determine just how catastrophic her injury is. I assume you've met Dr. Lewis?"
"Yes," Kale replied. "Do you realize his name is Jordan Lewis? How odd is that?"
Peter's eyebrows rose on his forehead. "Yes, I know. What's even stranger is that he's rapidly building a reputation for new spinal cord regeneration techniques — techniques that are supposed to restore complete sensory communication and feeling in a matter of months rather than the years we would have realized from our own research. He's apparently been doing independent research for the better part of his career, largely funded through a private organization named JEM."
"Do you think he can be trusted?" Andi asked.
"I checked out his credentials thoroughly. He has an excellent reputation and from all reports, his patients are doing exceptionally well. From what I can tell, he's little Jordan's best chance at this point."
"When do you think we'll know if he can help her?" Kale asked.
Peter inhaled deeply. "Well, Dr. Lewis and I examined her while you two were having dinner. Hopefully, we'll know better tomorrow morning after Dr. Lewis has reviewed the test results."
Kale and Andi absorbed Peter's statement. Peter headed toward the door, but stopped and turned around. "The two of you should go home and rest. She'll be sedated throughout the night so I don't expect she'll be aware of your presence at least until morning.
Andi shook her head. "I can't leave her."
Peter looked at Kale. "I'm staying as well," Kale said.
Peter nodded. "All right. At least take turns napping, okay? You two need to take care of yourselves in order to help your daughter through this."
* * *
Dr. Jordan Lewis entered the Intensive Care Unit the next morning to find Andrea Simmons sleeping with her head resting on her daughter's bed. Kale was pacing the floor.
Kale's attention was immediately drawn to the door as it opened. He reached out to shake the doctor's hand. "Dr. Lewis, good morning."
Andi stirred at the sound of voices in the room. "Kale?" she asked groggily.
Kale walked over to the bed and rubbed Andi's back. "Sweetheart, Dr. Lewis is here."
Dr. Lewis walked over to the bed and shook Andi's hand, then he pulled up a chair and sat down. He motioned for Kale to sit as well.
"Please sit. I have some news for you."
He waited for Kale to sit on the arm of Andi's chair and place his arm around her shoulder to both give and receive emotional support.
"I believe I can help your daughter."
Andi began to weep softly.
Dr. Lewis continued. "I've been working for the past thirty years on a revolutionary method for restoring spinal function in a completely severed spinal cord."
He stopped speaking for a moment both to allow Kale and Andi to absorb what he had said, and to prepare himself for what he had to say next.
"We can't thank you enough," Kale said, wiping the tears from his face.
Dr. Lewis reached into his breast pocket and extracted an envelope. "Before you thank me, you need to read this. You see, there is a reason my first name is Jordan. I was named after my grandmother.
Kale's knees bucked and he slowly lowered himself to the edge of the hospital bed. "Oh, my God. Jordan," he whispered.
Dr. Lewis smiled. "Yes, Jordan — your Jordan. She and Grandma Maggie wed in 2020. My father, Kale, was born through artificial insemination, followed by my Aunt Andrea a year later."
Kale and Andi looked at each other. They were speechless as Dr. Lewis continued.
"You see, I know about how you two helped her transcend time so she could be with Maggie." Dr. Lewis stared off into the distance as he fought the mist that was forming in his eyes. "They were the happiest two people I have ever known in my life. Grandma Jordan lived to the ripe old age of ninety. Grandma Maggie died a year later."
He looked back at Kale and Andi as he continued. "Thanks to you, she was not only a happy woman, but she also brought into the past, all the knowledge and talent required to advance stem cell and spinal regeneration research a century before it would otherwise have been done. Granted, we have really just begun clinical testing on the newest device. Your daughter will become part of that. If her accident had happened even fifty years ago, there would have been little hope of a quick recovery. So, as you can see, it's her you should be thanking."
Dr. Lewis smiled as he watched Kale and Andi attempt to compose themselves.
"I can't believe it." Kale knelt in front of Andi. "Sweetheart, he's Jordan's grandson. She made it. I always felt like she had, and now thanks to her, our baby has a chance to live a normal life."
Kale lowered his head into Andi's lap while he cried. Andi rested her cheek on top of his head and spoke soothingly to him. "Now maybe you can let go of all the guilt you've been carrying around for the past several years. Not only did she make it, but she made it in time to save Maggie, and thanks to you and your whacky time machine, she was able to live the rest of her life with the one she loved more than life itself."
Dr. Lewis stood and looked at the couple before him. "I can clearly see why Jordan loved you two so much. Here, she wrote this for you before she died more than thirty years ago. My wife found it a few years back in some old papers that were in a trunk my grandmothers owned. It was enclosed in a larger envelope addressed to me. With it, was a note asking me to hand-deliver it to you. I didn't expect it to be under these circumstances, but it seems appropriate. Considering what you three meant to each other, it's only fitting that she continues to help you across time."
Dr. Lewis handed the envelope to Andi. "I'll check back with you later today to discuss little Jordan's treatment." He then smiled at the couple and left the room.
* * *
Kale and Andi walked hand in hand across the pasture toward the tall oak tree. To the right of the tree was a small cemetery where Jordan and both her parents were buried. The couple approached Jordan's headstone and sat side by side with their backs leaning against it. Kale pulled out the letter Dr. Lewis had given them and gingerly opened it. It was several hand-written pages long. Andi entwined her fingers with his and laid her head on his shoulder as Kale held it before them and began to read.
My Dearest Kale and Andi,
I don’t know how to begin except to say I dearly love you both with all my heart. Because of your love and sacrifice, I have lived a long and prosperous life with the one person who completes me. I will be forever thankful that you came into my life. I know you compromised everything you believed in to help me realize the love of my life. For that, you have my undying gratitude.
Andi, I am so happy you came into Kale’s life. You are the main reason I felt comfortable leaving him. He needs you. You are the other half of his soul. Please take care of him.
I cannot possibly rest until I tell you how I came to be so happy. As it turned out, the final trip back was the charm.
On the morning Maggie was supposed to die, I almost slept through my opportunity to save her. An old woman that looked strangely familiar woke me in the nick of time. At the time, I didn’t know who she was, but as I write this and see my own visage in the mirror, I can only thank you for obviously indulging me one final time.
Loving Maggie is the most important thing I have ever done in my entire life. I don’t know how I could ever have lived without her. She is even more beautiful in person than she was in my dreams. The first time we made love, it was so incredibly life altering. I was changed forever.
Kale, you once told me that someday I’d be happy that you were around
. My dear friend, I was always happy that you were around. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a real brother. Did you ever learn to comb your hair?
Kale and Andi both chuckled through their tears as Jordan teased him from beyond the grave. They continued to read the details about how Jordan had saved Maggie from Jan’s deadly plans. As the letter wound down, Jordan explained how the farm had been saved for them.
Kale, do you remember the land records for the farm indicating there were several owners between Maggie’s parents and mine? Well, I needed to find a way to assure you and Andi ended up with the farm, so I convinced Maggie to hold on to it until 2071, when my parents came along, and we sold it directly to them. Let me tell you, it was very strange meeting them two years before I was born. They both stared at me in the oddest way, like they thought they should know me. I wanted so much to tell them who I was, but that might have just given them both heart attacks, then I would have killed my parents before my own birth. Talk about the ultimate paradox!
Maggie and I were married a year after the final transfer, and thanks to the wonders of science, we had two children, a boy we named Kale and a daughter named Andrea, after two people I love with all my heart. The two of you made all of this possible for me. I will be forever in your debt and will watch over you and your loved ones for the rest of eternity. That is my promise to you.
Kale, you warned me about not creating paradoxes with my presence in the past, but as I see it, impacts of a positive nature would surely be welcome. So, as you probably know, I continued our spinal cord regeneration research. It is my sincere hope that by taking the knowledge back one hundred years, SCI healing will have advanced at a much faster rate. It’s the least I could do to repay the two of you and Peter for all you did for me.
If you are reading this letter, then you have met our grandson, Jordan. We are so proud of him. He has known about where I came from since he was a child. In fact, our children, Kale and Andrea, as well as all six of our grandchildren know. Jordan has chosen to enter the field of spinal cord regeneration to follow in my footsteps. He just completed his internship and will return to school in the fall to pursue advanced training in neurology. He is determined to escalate the progress we have seen over the past several years. I have confidence that he will succeed.
When I realized Jordan might have the opportunity to meet you in person, I penned this letter and gave it to him for safekeeping until he could deliver it personally. At the time of this writing, you will still be toddlers, so it will be several years yet before you actually see it. It is my sincere hope that he has carried out my wishes.
Well, my dear friends, I am tired and must rest. It is unfortunate that time travel cannot erase the ravages of age. My body is old but my spirit is still young. I have little time left in this world and look forward to the day that Maggie will join me and we will be together again for all eternity. I am not afraid to die. I know there is something more beyond this physical state. One day, Maggie will join me, as will both of you. I will miss my Maggie, but we have had fifty-eight wonderful years together thanks to you. There is nothing in this world that I could ever do to repay you. Know that I love you both, and I look forward to seeing you again one day. Give my best to Peter.
Take care of you…
Love, Jordan.
Andi clutched at her heart. "It hurts so much. I miss her."
Kale made no attempt to stem the flow of ears from his eyes as he brought the letter too his lips and kissed it tenderly.
"I love you, Jordan. I always have." He reached over to take Andi's hand in his own. "It warms my heart to know she was happy."
Andi smiled through her tears. "Me too."
Kale held the letter in front of both of them. "Jordan," he said out loud. "You said there was nothing in this world that you could do to repay us. Well, my friend, you were wrong. You are giving our child's life back to us. It doesn't get any better than that."
"Amen," Andi chimed in.
Kale leaned over and kissed Andi tenderly. "Have I told you today that I love you?"
Andi inhaled deeply. "I believe you have, but I never tire of hearing it. I love you too, Kale, across all space and time."
"Across all space and time."
Kale carefully folded Jordan's letter and placed it in his pocket, then rose to his feet and offered his hand to Andi. Soon, they were walking hand in hand back to the farm.
At that moment, if Kale and Andi had looked at Jordan's headstone, they would have seen that it now mysteriously read;
Jordan Marie Lewis
Born September 20, 2073
Died July 4th, 2077
Free front the bonds of time, and held in the arms of love.
Thank you, Kale and Andi.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo Credit: Brad Fowler, Song of Myself Photography
Karen D. Badger is the author of On A Wing And A Prayer, Yesterday Once More (a 2009 Golden Crown Literary Award winner for Speculative Fiction), In A Family Way, Unchained Memories, Happy Campers and Collective Identity: Books I, II, III and IV of the Commitment Series, and The Blue Feather, all published by Badger Bliss Books. This novel, All My Tomorrows is a sequel to the 2009 award winning, Yesterday Once More.
Born and raised in Vermont, Karen is the second of five children raised by a fiercely independent mother, who remains one of her best friends to this day. Karen earned her B.A. in 1978 in Theater and in Elementary Education, and in 1994, earned a B.S. in mathematics. In addition to her novels, Karen is the author of many technical papers on photomask manufacturing, which she has presented at numerous semiconductor industry conferences, and is the holder of several technical patents. Karen works as a semiconductor engineer for a leading edge computer chip manufacturer in Vermont.
Karen and her wife, Barb (a retired Lt Col in the US Air Force) live in the beautiful state of Vermont — home of Ben and Jerry's. They spend their spare time with family: sons Heath and Dane, their respective ladies, Kacie and Daisy, and their three grandchildren, Kyren, Ariana and Ellie, as well as doing home improvement projects on both their homes in Vermont and New Mexico. They also enjoy camping, kayaking, motorcycling and singing Karaoke.
In 2014, Karen and Barb (aka, 'Bliss') founded Badger Bliss Books when Karen's previous publisher, Blue Feather Books, Ltd., closed its doors. This novel is the second one, along with Collective Identity, to be published solely by Badger Bliss Books. They invite you to visit the Badger Bliss Books website or to drop them a line at [email protected].
You can find the website for Badger Bliss Books at www.badgerblissbooks.com.
OTHER TITLES BY KAREN D. BADGER
www.badgerblissbooks.com
On A Wing and A Prayer
First edition published by Blue Feather Books, Sept, 2005
Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books – September, 2014
ISBN 13: 978-1501022678, ISBN 10: 1501022679
Yesterday Once More
First edition published by Blue Feather Books, July, 2008
Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books – September, 2014
ISBN 13: 978-1501023408, ISBN 10: 15010234032009
2009 Golden Crown Literary Society Award winner for Best Speculative Fiction
In A Family Way – Book One of the Commitment Series
First edition published by Blue Feather Books, March, 2010
Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books – September, 2014
ISBN 13: 978-1501022463, ISBN 10: 1501022466
Unchained Memories – Book Two of the Commitment Series
First edition published by Blue Feather Books, Oct, 2011
Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books – September, 2014
ISBN 13: 978-1501022784, ISBN 10: 1501022784
Happy Campers - Book Three of the Commitment Series
First edition published by Blue Feather Books, Sept, 2013
Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books – Sep
tember, 2014
ISBN 13: 978-1501021855, ISBN 10: 1501021850
The Blue Feather
First edition published by Blue Feather Books, July, 2014
Second edition published by Badger Bliss Books – September, 2014
ISBN 13: 978-1501017797, ISBN 10: 1501017799
Collective Identity- Book Four of the Commitment Series
Published by Badger Bliss Books – January, 2015
ISBN 13: 978-1507689066, ISBN 10: 1507689063
COMING SOON FROM
KAREN D. BADGER AND BADGER BLISS BOOKS
www.badgerblissbooks.com
Sweet Angel - Book Five of The Commitment Series
Expected release – Summer, 2015
Nothing is more important to Billie and Cat Charland than family. This fifth episode in The Commitment Series chronicles the impact and heart-wrenching trauma Billie and Cat face when their family experiences a life-changing event with the potential of forever reshaping their family and their relationship.
Relative-ly Speaking - Book Six of The Commitment Series
Expected release – Late 2015
Have you ever heard the saying, you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your relatives? In this sixth book of The Commitment Series, Cat and Billie find themselves in the heart of Disfunction Junction as the O'Grady-Charland clan descends on SpireClyffe Acres for a family reunion, including an authentic, Amazon bonfire, complete with scantily clad… and slightly inebriated, Amazons. You will enjoy this comedic interlude in the lives of the Charland clan!
1140 Rue Royale
Expected release – Early, 2016
All My Tomorrows Page 34
