“Kind of like a mind-reader figuring out your password?”
“Password? They still use those where you’re from?”
“Well, yeah. So, you know what I mean, right?” Tabitha kept feeling as if she was putting her foot in her mouth.
“Yes, it probably works like the password thing. The machine makes associations that your mind forgot. Sometimes they even use this in criminal cases when they think someone is lying.”
“Oh, that could be a violation of some constitutional rights,” Tabitha said.
“Yes, I thought that too.”
They had arrived at the Mood Simulator. Tabitha was reminded of the Dial-A-Mood from 2018. Manipulation of one’s feelings was still a drug, was it not?
“Hi, I’m Kevka. Allow us to give you a demonstration.” An attractive woman in a white lab coat stood outside the shop. Everyone seemed to go for a sterile medical look when they tried to sell something around here.
Tabitha asked, “How?”
“I have an assistant, Lillith, here to help. What would you like to see in action? Lillith, over here, please.”
“Tell her to do mellow. That’s what I did. It won’t scare you, and the poor girl won’t need to long to recover. At least she won’t freak out, anyway.”
“Is this where they used to have drug simulations?” Tabitha could tell she was embarrassing Sal. She couldn’t help it.
“Yes. We have all agreed that this is the safer alternative,” the woman answered.
“Did people get hurt?”
“We have changed, in the best interest of everyone,” the woman answered without answering. “We only have each client’s best interest at heart.”
“I don’t want to seem closed-minded or anything, but what about your assistant?”
“Lillith can take it. I obviously wouldn’t ask her if she couldn’t. For instance, she has not done one demo yet today. We limit it to one per assistant per day.”
Sal spoke up. “Okay. We would like to see her get mellow.”
Kevka sat Lilly in a straight back chair and attached electrodes to her head. A spotlight from a window above bathed Lilly in lavender light. Lavender being a relaxing color and scent, it did not surprise Tabitha.
“Start!” Kevka called.
Moments later, she asked Lillith how she was feeling.
“Greaaaaaaaaaaat,” Lillith answered.
“Do you feel strange doing this out here in front of these people?”
“Hahaha. Me, out here?” Lillith giggled some more. “Everyone can see me!”
An older woman came out through the door.
“Take a lot of aguafer, Mrs. Myer. Are you sure you feel alright?”
“What? Yes. I’m fine. Stop making a big deal of it. I’m not new to this.” With that, she repositioned the hat on her head and walked off.
“I’ve seen her here a few times,” Sal said. I believe she gets ‘Euphoria.’ It requires a little recovery time afterward. They have you sign a waiver form before they hook you up. I imagine something dangerous did happen here at one time. I don’t recall; it would have been when I was too young to care about this stuff. It’s supposed to be much safer now. I’ve tried Amped and Mellow. I don’t do it much anymore. Really.”
“You have plenty of other things to do,” Rochelle said adamantly. She obviously did not approve of this pastime.
“We are going to a party at the theatre. Would you like to go with us?” Sal asked.
“Oh, no, I really shouldn’t. I’m not dressed for it. I’m not even prepared. I feel a little like a lost wanderer, really, you all have been so nice to help me out and show me the way this far.”
“Tabitha, I feel our city here is really safe, but something spooked you horribly. You had to have a reason to be so scared.”
Tabitha could sense that Sal felt some sort of affinity with her. In Tabitha’s mind, she knew the answer; it was their link to Jared. But she couldn’t say it. She felt blessed that it had happened, blessed to find Sal when she did.
“I’m just not really in the party mood.” What would Tabitha do around all those strangers, watching her lip, fearful of what she might say? A vow of silence might have been more comfortable, and that was saying a lot for Tabitha.
“Listen, Tabitha, I think you should stay at my place tonight with my grandmother and me. You’d like my grandmother; Louise is her name. She won’t mind. I have a feeling she would like you.”
Once again, Tabitha could sense that Rochelle obviously felt like a third wheel. She didn’t know how to respond. “It does sort of feel like you’re family. You remind me of someone; I can’t put my finger on it.”
“I feel that way too. That’s why I know my grandmother would love you! Oh, Rochelle, we will go to the party, I promise.”
“Are you sure? What are you getting yourself into? Always trusting strangers, Sal. I worry about you,” Rochelle whispered.
“Please, understand. It’s not like I would do this for just anyone.” Her eyes pleaded as well.
“So, how will we get to the party if we need to take Tabitha to your home?”
“Oh, you know, Grandma goes to sleep early. I’ll hint that we’re all just gonna crash and share some music tonight, then you and I can sneak out, kind of. I don’t want to come right out and say, ‘Grandma, here’s a strange lady, but I have a good feeling about her so let her stay at the house while I go party.’”
Tabitha let out a snort of laughter.
“I’m sorry. No offense to you.”
“No, I understand. I really should just head for the Envo, I mean, my vehicle, and find my way home. It has been quite interesting already.”
“I don’t think so, Tabitha. You’ve been through a lot. Let me do this for you, okay?”
She was right, it probably wasn’t advisable for her to take off right now. Considering, she felt tired again, and what if something went wrong?
“Sal, I really appreciate it. I wish there was some way to repay you.”
“There’s not. And it isn’t at all necessary.”
“I will when I come back through again.”
“No repayment necessary. Rochelle, this won’t take long. I think it’ll all work out. Just follow my plan.”
Rochelle shrugged. Tabitha could tell she was a little uncomfortable with it, but she didn’t seem to like challenging Sal much. Hopefully Sal did not misuse such a talent.
Chapter 10
Memory Lane
Talk about a memory download. Upon entering the upstairs apartment home (or whatever it was called these days), Tabitha felt as if she was right back in the 1990s. The furniture was brown, and the walls were covered by photographs, old style and new holograph style. An armchair was reclined and there was Louise, Tabitha’s brother’s common-law wife, mother of his child, sitting in it and reading a paperback book.
“Grandma, I’ve told you, trade those paperbacks for a screen; you can upsize the lettering, and it’s so much better for your eyes!” Sal grabbed a newspaper from the coffee table. “Can’t we throw this away? You know how old this is!”
Louise just shook her head no. “Respect my stuff, I’ll respect yours.” The words were drawn out. She never lost her accent. She looked a lot like she used to, except for the wrinkles that had crept in and the silver that was streaking her hair. She was still a beautiful little gal. Those hazel eyes still popped out of her thin face in a way that was either haunting or delightful, depending on the beholder.
“Grandma, this is my friend,”
“Call me Betty,” Tabitha interrupted. “All the folks back home do. Really!” She answered Sal’s incredulous stare. Oh, of course she knew she seemed suspicious, but Sal and Louise would have to figure this out on their own, long after she left. She gave Sal a pleading stare.
“Where ya’ from, sweetheart?” Louise asked.
“Georgia.” As if that explained all this weirdness. Tabitha was glad for Rochelle�
�s hat and kept tucking her hair back into it, hoping that was enough to keep her from becoming an instant memory of the girl who was Jared’s sister.
“Well, not a lawt o’ people admit to that anymore. I haven’t met someone from there for years. But some people might be hidin’ things. Still, good to meet ya.’” She said all of this from the chair, with one hand on her back. It would seem getting older was paining her.
“So, we’re all going to do some music shares for a while. Betty might crash here; is that okay with you?”
“Well, hon’, ya’ are payin’ rent. I’ll have to trust your judgment of this character, Betty, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, hi, Rochelle. You’re standin’ back there all quiet like. But that is like you. How’s the job?”
“Great, Louise. There are lots of projects right now. I’m enjoying it.” She smiled sincerely.
“Did you girls eat?”
“Yes, we did. But thank you.”
Tabitha just then noticed the smell that permeated the room. Was it chicken gumbo? She felt her stomach rumble.
“Jus’ let me know if you all change your mind on that.”
“T-, Betty, I mean, would you like to sit down and eat?” Sal asked. “Grandma’s a good cook.”
“I’d love to have a taste of that. Is it Gumbo?”
“You’ve got it! Not too many cook it anymore. It’s a taste of my upbringin’. I oughta’ open up a restaurant. Sal right here can perform. Rochelle could run it, too, keep everything working. Here, have a taste.” She gestured for Tabitha to follow her.
Sal called, “Rochelle, go on back! I’ll be there in a minute.” She turned toward Tabitha. “It’s the third room on the right. Just go in when you’re done.” She gestured with an arm in the direction of her room, then sat down with a headset on. “I have to monitor today’s e-mail,” she said, matter-of-factly. She sat for about five minutes, giving voice commands such as ‘Delete,’ ‘attending,’ ‘answer with yes,’ or ‘save for later,’ and once, she commanded “No, resend with my apologies for the change, I cannot help with that project.”
Tabitha wasn’t too familiar with personal e-mail. The only e-mail she ever used was for work at the art gallery. Although, if Milt had his way, she’d have her own personal e-mail soon. She still wasn’t sure why she needed it, and she tried not to stare at Sal as she went over her social business with a computer that seemed to send social responses for her. How impersonal it seemed.
As if reading Tabitha’s mind, Louise commented, “I hate what technology has come to these days. People don’ really talk anymore. At least Sal has one good friend, and you, you are only the second person she has evah brought ‘round here. Maybe she’s ready to put away the headset for a while.” She smiled and laughed. “Nah….fat chance of that!” She then looked at Sal, who was ignoring her, with smiling, playful eyes. Louise’s rough life hadn’t defeated her spirit after all. Thank God.
Tabitha was in culinary heaven. She’d tried Louise’s gumbo before and had always found it delightful. She sat at the table, and Louise let her have a taste from a wooden spoon before disappearing into the kitchen to fill a bowl for her. It tasted quite delightful, with a little bit of a spicy kick.
“What brought ya’ all the way from Georgia?” Louise sat down with Tabitha with a bowl of gumbo for herself as well. She was a lovely woman despite her age, just a little weathered. Those eyes could still look through you.
“I’m looking for my brother.” Well, it was partly true. She actually had no end goal in this visit, just as in the first time travel journey.
“Ya know, ya’ look familiar. Yep. I’ve met you before. And that’s odd, because you don’t look like anyone around here.”
“Miss, Louise, thank you so much for that gumbo.”
“Well, wait a minute. I got some white chocolate-covered bark! It’s delicacy, got it from my boss.”
Tabitha shook her head. “No, but thanks.”
“Ah, is jus’ as well. It’s an acuire’ taste, they say. Like caviar. Gotta’ be hones’, I nevah did try that. It’s not in style now. And bark, it’s just weird. I don’ blame you, girl!”
“Thanks again, Louise; I’m going to go back with Sal and Rochelle. They have been so kind, just as you have. I’m probably leaving tomorrow. My visit is coming to a close.”
Louise gave a disappointed look, but she didn’t voice it. She couldn’t have Tabitha figured out already, could she?
“Ya’ just a real throwback, in them clothes. A cute one, ya’ truly are. Can’t figure out who you remin’ me of.”
“Oh?” Tabitha asked, in a feigned attempt at nonchalance.
“Can’t put mah’ fingah’ on it yet.” The woman smiled, trying to remember.
Though she wanted to bolt back to the room, Tabitha found herself transfixed by the photographs on the wall leading to Sal’s room. She made her way down the hall, stopping to look at the pictures. A young Louise, with Tabitha’s brother Jared, and their daughter Calais, a round, chubby happy looking baby with shocks of curly black hair. Calais as an older child, looking thin and sad. Calais as a young woman, holding Sal (without the lavender skin), laughing into the eyes of the camera. She looked full of joy. Another, something like a hologram that moved, of Calais in a fall setting, wearing a cream colored sweater that seemed to accent her light mocha skin, twirling around in the falling leaves with her hair loose and flying around her, turning, and again, laughing at the camera. She could almost hear the words. “Come on, come and play with me. We’ll jump into that pile of leaves. Who cares about our clothes? I want to live! It’ll be fun!” Then, it was Calais looking down and beckoning, which indicated to Tabitha it must have been Sal holding the camera. It was so uncanny, the way Calais’ spirit seemed to come through the hologram, almost as if she was meeting Calais in person. The story of her life played out before Tabitha. A lively gal in a dysfunctional home, with sudden impulses, fighting an inner sadness and fear, yet full of joy and love for her daughter, Sal. This is what baby Calais grew up to be like. Before she was committed. Tabitha’s mouth turned down at the corners with that realization.
Calais was simply beautiful, but then, how could she not be? And what happened to her mind? Why was she committed, as Sal had told Tabitha earlier? Certainly life was not easy with a come-and-go addict father, early life in a homeless shelter, and who knew what else. Did she experiment with drugs as Jared had? Tabitha might never know the story. She briefly wondered if there was something in their family chemistry that tended toward snapping. Then again, maybe this future wasn’t set in stone, either. However, back in the year 2000, her brother Jared was already using drugs, on the run from whatever shadows were chasing him. She briefly wondered if there was more to his problem than addiction, but how could she know? She made a note to be even more present in the little girl’s life.
“She’s beautiful, ain’t she?” Louise called from the end of the hall, as if reading Tabitha’s mind.
“Yes. Breath-taking.”
“Sal kinda looks like her, but a little like her father, too. Mind you, I only seen pictures. He was killed when Sal was just a wee little baby. Poor Calais. She moved on to othah’ men, lookin’ for love, only findin’ trouble. But she’s in a happy place now, on a real farm. Last time I saw her, sounded like she really loved it. Sal’s right beautiful too. But not too many troublesome men ‘round here now.” She chuckled.
“Yes, Sal mentioned her mom had been committed. I’m sorry,” she said sincerely.
“Oh, Calais in a better place now. They opened up a lot of those asylums. Gave the people more choice. They more like communities now. It’s all much better now.” She lowered her voice. “She ‘ad a rough time for a bit there. Didn’ talk for near six years. Much bettah now, though.”
“Calais’ father? That’s him in the first picture, right?” She had to stop herself from saying his name.
“Yes. Though I haven
’ seen him in a good while. He was always runnin’ off. Not on account of me, just, ‘is habits, ya’ know. They kept callin’ him.” She looked off into space.
“I’m sorry.”
“Well, I had a man come into my life while Jared was gone. They had words. He scared Jared off, and I didn’ care. But this man wasn’t no good man. I made ‘im leave. By then, Jared wasn’t comin’ ‘round anymore.”
“Maybe you should, just maybe, look him up? Find out where he is? The same happened with my brother. He’s still a mess, but at least I know he’s alive.” Could she dare to think he was still alive in this version of 2047?
“Yeah. Maybe.” Louise still had that far-away look.
Oh, the conversations Tabitha could have had with her, but every moment meant revealing herself or even just making Louise more suspicious about her. She couldn’t risk it, couldn’t explain herself. She moved down to Sal’s door.
“Thank you Miss Louise, Good night.”
Louise headed back to her comfortable chair looking dejected.
“I know you’re tired, but if you can’t sleep, come on out and I gab away with ya’. Really, I sleep out here. Good thing I can sleep like a rock.”
Tabitha felt bad for not keeping her company. How lonesome she must be. She made a promise to herself that she would befriend Louise more when returning home. This woman deserved so much better than what life gave her.
There were no other pictures of Calais on the wall, which meant there were none of Sal’s father, and this made Tabitha curious. There was another of Jared, looking pale and thin, wearing shabby clothes, standing next to Sal, who looked to be a young girl. Then there was another picture of Sal in a gown with an insignia and flowers in her hair. Perhaps it was the new style of graduation gown. She had a sweet smile. Standing next to her was Louise. Jared was nowhere to be seen, but Tabitha beamed with joy for Sal.
Tabitha rushed to Sal’s room and opened the door. Both of the girls were looking at a small screen; evidently this was where the music came from. They had small little round balls in their ears. Of course, everyone said headphones would keep getting smaller. But no wires? It seemed ridiculous to Tabitha.
Undercurrents in Time Page 9
