by Dan Alatorre
“I’m drinking.” Carter leaned back into the recliner. “I’m just not getting drunk.”
“Boys, how are we fixed for beer?” Randy rolled off the couch and went to the refrigerator. Everybody else had been throwing them back pretty hard, but so far Carter had hardly imbibed. It was early, and the big game was coming on, so he was pacing himself. He wanted to stay awake through the whole game even if his friends didn’t. Too many of these annual rivalries had come down to a last minute field goal.
“Carter, we got about twelve beers for the rest of the night. Is that gonna be enough?”
“Twelve?” He sighed. “No, not with the rest of the guys coming over.”
Bobby picked up a chicken wing from the foil carry out platter on coffee table. “Well, why didn’t you buy more?”
“Two cases should have been enough.” Carter hooked a thumb at Randy “– if you hadn’t brought your hollow-leg friend.”
Bobby smiled through a mouthful of chicken wing. “You want me to run out and get more?”
“No, I’ll do it.” Carter got up from the chair. “You’ve had too much already. I’ve only had two beers since lunch.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.” He grabbed his keys off the hook. “Be back in a few minutes.”
* * * * *
Madison Mills threw the last of the peppers onto the big pot and covered it with the lid. She stepped back from the granite counters of her newly remodeled kitchen.
“Okay, Missy.” She turned to her daughter, who was engrossed in a teen magazine. “This needs to cook for a while, so don’t touch it.’
“Got it.” Came the halfhearted reply from the living room sofa.
Maddie bent over, watching the gas flame as she adjusted it. “You’re in charge of the kitchen. Keep an eye on that pot.” She did a little more fine tuning of the flame, not quite comfortable with it yet.
“Good golly.” Her husband reached over and grabbed a handful of her rear end through the shiny black Spandex. He hugged her from behind, whispering. “How am I supposed to think about going jogging if you’re being all sexy like that?” He nuzzled her ear.
She grinned. “Sexy like what? This is a t shirt and leggings.”
“Yeah, but I know what’s underneath—or not underneath.” He pulled out her waistband. “Oh, God. Now I really can’t run.”
She gave him a quick kiss. “There will be plenty of time for that when we get back. Now come on.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The phone rang. Melissa jumped on it. Then she voiced her disappointment without looking up. “Dad, it’s for you.”
He adjusted his crotch, gazing at his wife. “Good thing. I’d get arrested trying to go out like this.”
“Okay, well, I’m heading out.”
He picked up the extension. “I’ll catch up. Which way are you heading?’’
“My usual route. Through the S turns.”
“Okay.” He put the phone to his ear, then cupped his hand over the mouthpiece. “Hey, be careful. That’s still under construction and it’s getting dark-”
She had already disappeared out the door.
* * * * *
“Carter, you going to Winn Dixie or the 7-11?” Bobby leaned out the door.
“I’m just running up to 7-11.” He placed his hand on the roof of his car. “Why?”
“We could use some more wings.”
“Winn Dixie doesn’t sell wings.” Carter opened the door and got inside.
“No, but Hooters is right past it.”
He shook his head. “Okay, fine. Call it in.” He shut the door and started the engine.
* * * * *
Maddie was an elegant runner. Her long legs took graceful strides as she rounded the driveway and headed into the street. She never liked stretching, preferring instead to just jump right into the run.
Michael, on the other hand, would stretch—which she knew was better—but he took too long. Sometimes she thought he stretched just to postpone the run. But he ran faster than her, so if he didn’t goof off too long—and if he didn’t talk all day on the phone—he might catch up before she was finished with her two miles.
He fussed too much anyway. Run facing traffic. Wear light colored clothes. Don’t wear your Walkman, you can’t hear cars coming up behind you. Too many rules. The road was meant to be run on. Cars were always gracious as they passed.
It was her neighborhood. She had been running through it for years. She could do it in her sleep.
The S turns were about halfway through the run. They had been under repair for over a week as contractors redid the sidewalks under some old oak trees. Grand oaks, the city called them, so nobody was allowed to cut them down. Instead, they’d just replace the sidewalks every few years when the trees’ roots cracked it all again.
As she weaved her way through the turns, her gray t-shirt began to show signs of sweat. It was still hot out for this time of year. She debated about taking a longer way back. The chili wouldn’t be ready for hours, and Michael wouldn’t be off the phone for a while if it was business—the only kind of call he ever got. Still, she decided against it, knowing how disappointed he’d be if she went another way and he didn’t catch her on his run.
She adjusted her earphones and turned up the volume, bounding off into the setting sun with her favorite tunes blaring.
* * * * *
“Are you ready?”
Melissa looked out at me from the seat of the time machine. “Maybe.” She repositioned herself. “Is this going to hurt?”
“Barry said he had to hold his ears, so do that. And when it gets close to going, close your eyes really tight.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m ready.”
There were two destinations I had written down for her, but only one had been dialed into the machine. The other went back into my pocket.
“I think you made the right decision.” I gave her a thumbs up. “I think if I were you, I’d be doing this trip. It’s the right thing to do.”
“It better be.” She took another deep breath and closed her eyes. “I hope I’m making the right decision.”
“Okay, here we go. Lever one.”
In the near darkness, I watched as she pushed the first long handle into place with a click.
“Lever two.”
I backed up a little, checking around for something I could hide behind. There was nothing.
As she engaged the final gears, the familiar whirring noise began. I covered my ears.
She looked out at me again. She was saying something.
“What?”
“Peeky, I’m scared.”
“You’ll be fine.”
The noise grew louder.
“Come with me.”
“What?”
“Come with me. Hurry!”
I shook my head. “We’ve never done that before. And there’s no room.”
The whirring reached a deafening pitch. Her eyes pleaded with me. She patted her lap. I saw her mouth form the words “Come on.”
I only hesitated for a moment. The noise was at its peak. In a second the machine would take its trip.
But my friend needed my help.
So I squeezed into the machine and sat on her lap, grabbing the frame and holding on as tightly as I could.
Then there was a brilliant flash.
* * * * *
The noise of the machine was almost as bad riding in it as it had been when we first tested it. Luckily, being outside, the noise was able to go somewhere instead of bouncing off Barry’s apartment walls, so it wasn’t as overwhelming.
I lifted myself off of Melissa’s lap and climbed out. “Another first. A two person trip.” I looked around. “Where are we?”
She stood up. “Oh my gosh, we’re right near my house. Look at all this! It’s so different. It’s all… so new.” She glanced around. “We must have gotten the coordinates wrong a little. My house is a few blocks away. Those are the S turns ove
r there. I forgot they were under construction at the time.”
She grabbed my arm. “She should be coming by here any minute. What should I do?”
I patted her hand. “Relax. Just do what we talked about. When you see your mother, call out to her and have her get out of the way of the car. That’s all you need to do.”
“Okay.” Melissa took a deep breath. “Keep your eyes open. She was running in black leggings and a gray t-shirt.”
I gazed at the sky. “She better hurry. It’s getting dark.”
“I’m so nervous. I don’t know exactly what time it happened.”
“But it happened here? On these turns?”
She pointed. “Right there, under those oak trees. Where they have the flashing construction lights.” She inhaled deeply, flinging her hands like she was shaking water from them. “Okay. Okay. I’m ready. I need to go over there.”
“Okay. Go. Do you want me to come with you?”
She looked at the S turn. The corners were too sharp to see around in both directions. “No. You stay here and watch for her coming that way.”
“Got it.”
* * * * *
The smell of spicy wings perfumed the inside of Carter’s car in a way that only a hungry man can appreciate. He’d procured more beer and would be back in time for kickoff.
The boys would be happy.
Mostly, Carter would be happy. Hooters had been slammed—game day—but Winn Dixie was practically empty. He’d made good time.
Now the excitement of the big game was in the air. He pushed the accelerator a little harder as he neared the S turns.
Accelerate through the turn, baby. Just like on NASCAR.
* * * * *
“Do you see anything?”
Melissa had traveled about a hundred yards toward the S turns. I didn’t see anyone, but it was getting dark. People would be harder to see. “Not yet.”
“Okay. Keep your eyes open.” She walked a little further.
We didn’t know if we were early or late, so we didn’t know which way to be looking. But we knew a woman would be jogging, and we knew a car would be coming.
The light from the sunset had faded and darkness was approaching. Gray and black would soon be hard to pick out in this light. I squinted past the trees where the yellow construction flashers were. Melissa walked further, peeking around the corner.
I turned back to the other side of the corner. In the distance, an elegant form appeared. It moved in long strides, graceful as a deer.
It was her. Gray t-shirt, black leggings, Walkman. Melissa’s mother.
I turned, cupping my hands around my mouth. “Melissa! She’s coming.”
Melissa’s head whipped around. She sprinted toward me.
Melissa’s mother moved at a good pace, facing traffic for safety as she ran. I watched her coming from the other side of the road, stepping back into the grass. Melissa would be in time. My heart swelled. A tragedy would be avoided.
Melissa yelled wildly as she ran. She bolted down the middle of road, unable to contain herself.
Lights illuminated the scene behind her. An oncoming car.
Melissa looked down at herself. She was clad in blue jeans and a dark top. She peeked over her shoulder as the car made the turn. She hesitated, slowing as she raised her hands to block the glare of the oncoming headlights.
She was right in the middle of the street.
The headlights jerked suddenly, swerving off the road to avoid her. Melissa threw herself in the other direction, barely avoiding getting hit.
Mrs. Mills moved to get out of the way but the oncoming vehicle moved faster. The car collided with her, wrapping her body around the grill. Her hands tried to brace her head as it slammed into the hood. Then she bounced away, flying backwards like a toy.
The headlights bounced up and down as Carter Garrett’s car hit the base of the grand oak and stopped. He sagged in his seat, unconscious.
Nothing moved for a moment.
Melissa stood up, her hand and knees scraped and bloody from the asphalt. She ran to her mother. “Oh, no, no, no, no!”
Mrs. Mills stirred on the tall grass, moaning and writhing in pain.
In the headlights, Melissa gazed into the eyes of her young mother. The oncoming darkness helped hide Melissa’s twenty-two-year-old face.
She leaned over Mrs. Mills, not daring to move her. “Mom! Mom. Are you okay? Where are you hurt?”
Her mother tried to look up. “Who…” Blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Melissa stifled a gasp. “Mom, it’s me. Melissa.”
Mrs. Mills tried to talk again. “I… don’t understand.” She gasped for air. “My Missy… is a little girl. Please… Get an ambulance.” She whimpered from the pain.
I stood helpless as the tragedy unfolded before me.
Melissa was in tears. “Mom, it’s me.”
Mrs. Mills blinked. “Why… are you calling me that?”
“Mom, please.” Melissa took her mother’s hand.
Mrs. Mills shook her head, but just barely. She swallowed, holding back the pain. “My husband…” She gasped, looking into the sky. “I have a little girl... Please… tell my daughter...” She swallowed again. More blood appeared on her mouth.
“Mom, it’s me, Melissa. I- I came here to save you. Please, don’t go.” She glanced around “The ambulance is on the way. Hang on.”
I saw a light come on at a nearby house. “Keep talking to her.”
Melissa stroked her mother’s hand. “Mom, it’s me… it’s Melissa. Try to hold on.” She looked into the pained face of her dying mother. “Close your eyes. Just listen. It’s Melissa. I’m here, mom.”
“Missy?”
“Shh. Close your eyes.” She stroked the hand. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry. It’s my fault.”
Mrs. Mills reached out, touching her daughter’s face. “Missy?”
Melissa choked back the tears. “I’m here, Mom.”
A faint smile appeared on Mrs. Mills’ lips. “Oh, Missy. My Missy girl… I love you, baby.” She touched her daughter’s arms. “A thousand…”
Pain consumed her, causing her to twist on the grass. She squeezed her eyes shut, whimpering.
“Mom, you – you’ve had a shock.” Melissa began to sob. She stroked her mother’s hair. “There, there, it’ll be all right.” She swallowed. “Mom, I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t make sense to you. I thought I could save you.”
“Save…me?”
“I was wrong.” Melissa leaned over her mother, gently pressing her face to her mother’s. “Please, just hang on a little while longer. The ambulance will be here soon. Stay with me. You’ll be home soon with me and dad.”
Mrs. Mills mustered the strength to shake her head. Her voice was faint. “It’s my time. Life had other plans.”
“Please mom, stay. Hold on. The ambulance- ” She sobbed. “The ambulance will be here soon.”
It was no longer convincing. Mrs. Mills summoned her strength to smile as she looked up at her daughter. “Missy. My Missy girl…” She reached out and took her daughter’s hand, whispering again. “A thousand…”
Then the hand released. She was gone.
Melissa buried her head into her mother’s hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
In the distance, the machine began to whir.
I stood, afraid to move and afraid to stay. Finally, I ran to the machine, searching desperately for a way to stop it, to give us more time. “Melissa! We have to go!”
The noise grew louder. I knew she would not leave her mother’s side.
I sat down at the controls, unsure of what to do. I wanted to push a button and stop the machine from leaving. I wanted to give her more time. “Melissa, you have to come now! There’s no way to stop the machine. It will leave without you.” I scanned the dials looking for answers. “It’s going to leave. You’ll be trapped!”
Melissa screamed at me over her shoulder. “It’s my fault! I killed her!” Tea
rs streamed down her face.
I twisted the dials frantically as the noise grew louder. “Melissa, we have to leave now!”
Melissa lifted herself and ran toward me. When she reached me, she stopped and put her hands on the machine’s frame. She said words I couldn’t hear, staring back at the car and the woman in the grass. The tears continued to roll down her face.
I reached up and grabbed her, pulling her limp, sobbing body into the machine.
Then there was a brilliant flash.
I sat there, hugging her, letting her cry, letting her vent her pain. She was inconsolable.
The bright sunlight nearly blinded me as I looked out from the time machine. I closed my eyes, letting my friend bury her face into my shoulder as I rubbed her back. “Shhh. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t your fault.”
She finally looked up at me. “Peeky, it was. I caused it all. That car swerved to avoid me. That’s why it hit her. She might have survived if I hadn’t been there.”
I shook my head. “No. You’re wrong. Before we ever went, she was… she was already gone. She passed away when you were a child. Remember?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Yes, but… Maybe…”
“Shh. Don’t think that way. It had already happened. You know that.”
She lowered her head. “I wish I’d never gone. I should have left everything alone. And she wanted to tell me something. ‘A thousand.’ What did she mean?”
As much as I wanted to help, to ease her pain, I could only shake my head. “I don’t know.”
She sighed. “I’ll never know.”
Slowly, the noise of the waves drifted to us. Seagulls squealed in the distance.
Melissa glanced around “What, what is this? Where are we?”
I lifted her off my lap and helped her onto the warm sand. “We wrote down two destinations.” I gazed over at a handsome man and his beautiful wife watching their young daughter make a castle in the sand. “This was the other one.”
Melissa’s hands flew to her mouth. She stood, jaw open, looking at her family on the day she had described as the happiest in her life.
She turned to me. “What did you do?”
“I changed the destination.”
She sniffled. “You won’t have a trip now.”
