JAA Ch. 02: Time and Again

Standing there, I tried to focus on what I was here for, what I had to do to change things if that was possible. I jumped at the knock on the door. With a sigh, I opened it to find Susan standing there with a concerned look on her face and consternation in her eyes.

"I'm sorry if I upset you..."

"Susan, nothing you asked or said or did has upset me, honest," I told her with a smile on my lips.

"May I use the bathroom, then?" she asked smiling a twinkle in her eyes.

"Of course..."

I stepped past her into the bedroom and over to the bed. I was well enough that the current sleeping arrangements needed to change. Looking in the closet, I found my clothes cleaned and neatly hung. Looking at the pants, I found the tiny holes the shrapnel left. At the sound of the bathroom door opening, I turned to face Susan.

"Susan, we need to talk. Let's go downstairs, I need another dose of my elixir and you probably need some coffee."

"Yes, coffee," she moaned, turning and leading the way downstairs.

Susan made coffee as I drank deeply from the jug in the fridge. I shivered as the fluid flowed down my throat and cooled the fire in my stomach. Once the fire was out, I felt much better and in control of my wits. I sat at the table watching Susan as she fixed herself a cup of coffee. Turning she smiled at me when she saw I was watching her.

"What?" she asked, taking a sip from her cup.

"Nothing, nothing, listen," I started then stopped. How do I put this?

"What? Tell me."

"Susan, I'm well enough that I really don't need you...hovering...no that's not the word...damn. I think it would be better if I was to sleep in a separate room."

"Oh, okay, god I thought it was something serious," she quipped with a big grin on her face.

I smiled back at her as she sat down at the table taking another sip of her coffee.

"Don't trust me?" she asked.

"You, yes, me no," I told her frowning.

"I trust you. I'm sure my future self, trusts you."

"You shouldn't and yes she does, but she is like me where you are not."

"So in the future, me, you, we are...together?" she coyly asked.

She was bold I have to give her that.

"Um, yes, but not until after Miles..."

"I'm glad then. I will, have, found someone to fill the void I'm sure was left by his death." A lone tear rolled down her cheek.

"Susan, I will need to the use of your computer."

"Of course..."

"There should have been a packet, black canvas, in one of my jacket pockets?"

"Yes, there was. I'll get it for you," she got up and left the room.

She returned a few seconds later with the case in her hand. Laying it on the table in front of me, she returned to her seat and her cup of coffee. I unzipped the case and spilled its contents on the table. Four CDs and six flash drives. It was all there. I separated two of the flash drives out. Picking up one, I handed it to Susan.

"You have a little homework to do. That memory stick contains documents and pictures your future self, wanted you to see. I think there may even be a video on there. You can use the computer first."

Her eyes glinted, then a somber look crossed her face. She started to ask me a question, thought better about it and slumped in her chair a distraught look masking her beautiful features. She was afraid of what she might encounter.

"Susan, you know yourself, now trust yourself."

She smiled and left to bring back her laptop. She sat down at the table opened the laptop and started it up.

"There's a desktop in the other room I could use?" I asked.

"Yes, yes it's on just hit the spacebar and type in 'KRZYGRL1'."

"Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"A crazy girl?"

"You betcha," she drawled, smiling at me.

I left and went to the other room.

I was still giggling at his question as John left to use the other computer. As I waited for my laptop to boot, I drank my coffee and pondered what I would see on the memory stick John had handed me. Its only marking was an 'S' on the side. As the login screen popped up, I typed in my password and waited for the desktop to appear.

After the desktop appeared, I plugged in the memory stick and waited for explorer to open. Instead, the media player opened and started to run. On the screen was a face, to close to the camera to tell whose face it was. The sound came on and I could hear myself talking as the face backed away from the camera. It was me, my future self.

"Sweetie, if you're watching this," I looked younger than I did now. And I did look good in white hair, "then John has made it to you. Take good care of him for me, he's...well, he's special. Now, you are probably wondering, damn I don't know what he will have told you or when you will be seeing this. Well, I'll just have to assume he's there and you can ask him if you don't know what I'm talking about, sweetie.

"Things are bad here darling, really bad, the land, the sky, the oceans, bad, bad, bad. If it wasn't for John, we would all be dead. Wait, yes Shelly saved us from a terrible existence, but John got us to where we are. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. Listen, I'm just going to tell it as it happened. No sweetener.

"We, our kind, are a blight on this world. Killing and maiming anyone, they can find. Eating them, then moving on. There are not very many regular humans left in the world. The few that are, well they have taken up residence on islands in the tropics. It's a real mess dear, a real mess.

"God I hope he's told you already...Miles is dead, he died saving people from the likes of us. If Shelly had only found the serum, elixir, a little sooner...damn it!"

I saw myself break down on the screen, then the picture went black, then I was back.

"God I hope...well, it's done. You also should have read my letter to you by now so you should know. Our husband was a hero. Anyway...oh god..."

The screen blanked out again as my eyes became blurrier with tears. I reached out and clicked on the pause button. It was time for a break. I got myself another cup of coffee then minimized the video player and brought up explorer. For the next hour, I read all the documents on the memory stick.

I sat there for another hour just staring into space at what I learned. I closed the computer and pushed it aside. I would watch the video later. I needed a shower, I felt dirty at what I read about what my future self, had done. Not only had she put it in a video she had written a journal, more to put her life in perspective for herself, than to lay blame or guilt.

I was shaking as I went upstairs.

I heard Susan rush upstairs. It had been quiet for about an hour before that. I have to assume she stopped the video and read the journal. I knew what was in both and was surprised at her reaction. Then I heard the shower running. Nope, she reacted appropriately. Revulsion. I wondered how she would act toward me now.

I continued to search the internet for a while longer, then pushed back from the desk, leaned back and put my feet up. I stared at the ceiling. The shower had stopped some time ago, yet I could sense her in her bedroom, crying. Pondering whether I should go to her, I decided that it wouldn't be a good idea.

Looking at the phone on the desk, I saw Miles name next to one of the speed dial buttons. Why not? It just might give their relationship a kick-start. I picked up the handset and pressed the button, it rang three times before he answered.

"Miles, your wife needs you, come home," I said softly into the mouthpiece.

"Who is this? What are you doing in my house?"

"It doesn't matter right now. Susan needs you more than you know."

"When she calls me, I'll know. Until then she's on her own."

"Listen to me Miles, things have happened...she has found...damn. Just come home, I'll explain everything to you when you get here. Until then your dear wife is upstairs crying her eyes out. Now come home. I'll be waiting."

I hung up the phone. I hoped I sounded ominous enough to spur him into rushing home. I pulled the chair back to the desk and began searching the internet again. About thirty minutes later the back door opened and Miles walked into the kitchen. He couldn't see me from where he was which was fine with me, for the time being.

"Susan," he shouted.

I heard a squeal from upstairs and her feet pounding down the stairs. I also felt a sense of joy as she hurried to her husband's arms.

"Oh god, I missed you Miles, I really, really missed you. I'm so glad you came."

Then there were kissing sounds and silence, punctuated by moans and groans.

"Who was the guy that called me?"

"What?"

"A man called and told me I needed to come home. Who is he?"

"That would be me," I said loud enough for them to hear me.

I didn't move I sat calmly at the desk waiting for them to come to me. Susan was first into the room with a questioning look on her face. Miles came in right behind her and when he caught sight of me, he stopped in his tracks.

"What did you call him for?" Susan asked me.

"You need him here, with you, now," I told her softly.

"And I told you to butt out."

"Just a minute here, who are you and what are you doing in my house?"

"Miles, don't worry, he's an old friend and an ex-patient of mine. Mile, meet John Abernathy, John, Miles."

I stood stepping over to where Miles had halted and put out my hand. He looked at me, then looked at Susan. She nodded and he took my hand and we shook. We both let go and I stepped back.

"Susan, if you will excuse us, I have some things that Miles needs to hear."

"But I know everything already..."

"No, not everything my dear," I told her softly. "And Miles really needs to hear this apart from you. I'm sorry it's the way it has to be."

"But..." she started as I waved her to silence.

Looking forlorn, she turned and went back upstairs. Looking at Miles I smiled and pointed to the chair. Raising his eyebrows, he went and sat down. I pulled a memory stick from my pocket and inserted it into the machine.

"Watch the video, then read the journal on the stick, they will explain everything. When you are done go to your wife and the both of you go get your children. When you get back, I will be gone. Don't tell Susan that though or she won't go."

"What is this all about?"

"The video and journal will tell you everything you need to know. Be patient with her when you get back here and she finds I'm gone. When you see Shelly, give this to her," I said handing him another memory stick. "It's for her and Gerry, please don't look at it as it would betray a confidence."

"All right," he said taking the memory stick from me. "How do I...Oh I see...never mind, I'll take care of it for you."

"Thanks, Miles, you're a good man. Love her forever, she deserves to be happy and with you, she will be."

Turning I walked out to the kitchen sitting at the table. I pulled Sue's laptop to me and flipped it open. I minimized all the documents she had open and began my search anew. I heard gasps and groans from Miles as he watched the video. I felt his emotions wash over me like an ocean wave. Sadness, love, anger, and love again. He did love his wife, dearly.

An hour later, he was climbing the stairs to hold his wife in his arms. They stayed upstairs for an hour. When they came down they were both smiling.

"We are going to get the kids we'll be back in an hour. Will you be all right?" Susan asked me putting on her coat.

"Sure, no problem, drive safely."

I sat listening until I heard the car pull away. Then I collected all my things, loading up my vest pockets and dressed. Washing out my canteen, I filled it from the jug in the fridge. Grabbing my rifle as I headed for the back door, I looked around, felt my pockets to see if I had forgotten anything. Nothing missing. A tear rolled down my cheek as I stepped out the door into the cold.

When we entered the house, I had a strange feeling. An eerie silence hung in the air. There was something missing as the children threw off their coats and ran to the den to watch TV. He was gone. Looking to the corner where his rifle had leaned, it was empty. As the realization swept across my mind, my knees started to buckle with the mixed emotions running through my body.

Miles caught me before I fell and hurt myself. Turning me, he held me in his arms as the tears started to flow. I don't know why I was crying but the past three days had been the best and worst in my life. Miles pushed me back enough to place his lips softly to mine.

"He asked me to say good-bye to you," Miles told me.

Pulling him toward me, I hugged him even harder sobbing all the while. Miles walked me into the living room where we sat on the couch. He held me close and whispered how much he loved me in my ear. I kissed him so passionately I thought my head would explode. I would miss John, but I missed my husband more and I was glad he was home.

Susan and Miles just left. They didn't stay long. Just long enough, to tell me John had left, to where they didn't know. They gave me a flash drive with some things on it for Gerry and me to watch and read. It was in order for us to make some sense of the past couple of days and what we might hear in the future.

I was sad that John had left but very glad he had gotten Susan and Miles back together again. They seemed so happy being together. As I watched them go, Gerry stepped up beside me placing his arm around my shoulder.

"I love you, Shelly, I really, really love you."

"I know dear, I know and I really love you too."

As we closed the door, my cell phone started to ring. Picking it up, I saw John's name but Susan's number flash across the screen.

"Hello, John," I said as I pressed the receive button.

"Shelly, has Susan been there yet?"

"Yes, they just left, why?"

"You wouldn't happen to have an extra room to rent?"

"I wondered where you were going to go," I said laughing. "Sure come on over we'll see what we can do."

Gerry looked at me with surprise on his face. I held up my hand as I listened to what John had to say.

"Well, we'll see you in a little bit then," I told him hanging up. "Yes, he's coming here to stay for a while."

"Is that wise?"

"Let's go watch the video until he gets here, maybe then you can make a decision."

"Okay, lets."

I stood outside the den window of Shelly's house. I watched them as they viewed the video and read the journals from the flash drive. Shelly was weeping as she watched. Gerry was switching between sadness and anger as he watched. Shelly wrapped him in her arms and talked to him softly and calmly. Reaching into the drawer of the desk, she handed Gerry the letters from the future.

After he had read them, he hugged Shelly and nodded. They sat side by side and finished watching the video without saying another word to each other, yet Gerry's arm never left his wife's shoulders. When the video finished I walked around to the front door and knocked softly. A few seconds later Gerry opened the door. When he saw me his eyes widened in surprise. Shelly was right behind him. She pushed him aside.

"Come in, come in," she told me backing away so I could. "Gerry, this is John Abernathy, John, Gerry." I stuck my hand out and waited.

Gerry took it in his and we shook hands. Shelly leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. Gerry just scowled at me. I chose to ignore him for now, but as I have said, we really didn't get along. Why? I don't know? Maybe it was the way his wife acted toward me, I don't know, as he was the only person I ever had a hard time reading. Shelly was an open book, Gerry was a rock. I could never tell what his emotions were or what he might be thinking.

Un-slinging my weapon I looked around for some safe but accessible place to stow it. Shelly nodded and opened the closet door in the hallway just down from the front door. The top shelf was clear and only Gerry or myself would be able to reach that high. I also placed my helmet on that shelf and closed the door.

"What's in the bag?" Shelly asked me.

"The stuff from Susan's to make, well you know. The directions are in there too."

"Good. Let's get you out of that jacket and vest. What's in the other bag?"

"Food, my food," I told her.

"Ah, then we better go to the kitchen. Follow me, dear," Shelly turned and walked further down the hall.

Following her I glanced at Gerry, the scowl was still on his face as he stepped in behind me. In the kitchen, Shelly took the bag of ingredients from me.

"Gerry, put that meat in the fridge, would you dear?" Shelly asked her husband as she went about putting the things from the other bag away.

I pulled my canteen from its holder, opened it and took a long drink. Putting the top back on I went to the open fridge and put it on the top shelf.

"What is that?" Gerry asked reaching for the canteen.

"Don't," I shouted, grabbing his wrist. "It would be very bad if you touched, let alone drank even a minute portion of that."

He struggled to escape from my grasp as I glared at him. Shelly was beside him in an instant.

"John let go, now," she told me. I did. As Gerry rubbed his wrist, Shelly continued. "Gerry as John says it would be very bad for you, for me, for anyone to drink that liquid. Please don't touch it or move it."

"I won't, but we have to talk about this more."

"Yes dear, we will. But for now, let's get John to his room and show him where the bathroom and such is so we can all get some sleep tonight."

"Okay, dear."

I needed to talk with John about the elixir. Why shouldn't we come into contact with the stuff? Gerry and I showed John where he would be sleeping and where the bathroom was. We left to go back to our room. I made Gerry go on ahead as I ducked into Allison's room to tuck her in and see she was okay. I pulled the covers back up and gave her a kiss on the forehead, then left and went to my room.

When I entered our room, Gerry was already dressed for bed and had the laptop on his legs looking at some of the other things that had been on the flash drive. I hurried into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash up before I changed into my pj's. Brushing my hair, as I crossed the room to the bed, Gerry looked at me and sighed. I knew what he was thinking before I got to bed.

"God you are beautiful," he sighed.

"Oh, stop Ger," I scolded as I climbed into bed.

"I found this picture on the drive, even fifteen years in the future you are beautiful."

"What are you talking about?"

"This picture, it was on the flash drive. Yes, I know you were on the vid, but this picture is intriguing. It has Susan, you, John and me. The other people I don't recognize."

"Let me see," I said leaning over to see the screen.

Sure enough, there I was with Gerry's arm around my waist, grinning proudly.

"God, you're right. It's Susan, you, John, and me, oh that's Jenny, John's wife. I don't know that woman standing next to me...oh my god, that's Allison."

"What? Where?"

"There next to me, between John and me."

"My god you're right. God, I thought she might be your twin, except I know you don't have one."

"Oh my, those are Susan's children. That one," I said, pointing to the screen, "is Bobby and his sister Sharon."

"Then who are these two pretty girls here?" Ger asked pointing at two very pretty redheads.

"Oh, how wonderful. Those are two of John's granddaughters. That is definitely Jackie so that one must be Kelly. They grew up beautiful."

"How do you know them?"

"I was their doctor before they all moved to Arizona."