The Time Traveler's Sewing Kit (The Caacrinolaas Catalogue Book 1) by RC Hancock

Author:RC Hancock [Hancock, RC]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: An Uncommon Press
Published: 2021-09-15T22:00:00+00:00

The Lawyer’s Heroic Mistake

Od regretted visiting his mother. Not only did the dimly-lit, urine-scented facility make his skin crawl, but Mrs. Graham had wasted away to a husk of her former self. Her hair had thinned, her bony parts had become more pronounced—and worst of all, she didn't speak. No matter what Od said or how he touched her, his mother stared at a stain on the wall in front of her as if in a trance.

"This is not living," Od said.

Tricia took his hand. "You can prevent this. There's still time."

"But I can’t save this version of her. Isn't she real? Aren't you real?"

Tricia thought for a moment. "I have memories of living since I saw you last. I feel pain and emotion. I don't believe I'll stop existing if you leave this thimble life. But maybe I will. Maybe there is only one me and it's still in 2017. Just worry about 2017, Od. That is your reality."

"What if I want to stay here with you?"

"No, not if there's a chance of saving your mother."

Od nodded. That is what he wanted. But it felt as if he'd already lost her. Even if they began some miracle therapy immediately would it really bring her back? Maybe it was because Tricia was standing next to the catatonic version of his mother, but in that moment Od wasn't sure which one he would choose.

The facility manager stopped them on the way out of the lobby. He was a short, white man with abnormally straight mustache.

"You're account is several months behind payment," the man said. "I'm afraid I can't allow you to leave until you're current."

"We'll just take her with us," Od said.

The man nodded. "That would be fine, as soon as you've paid your bill."

"You're gonna hold my mother hostage?"

"I'm sorry, it wouldn't be fair to the other patients if Theresa received several free months of care."

"It's Thelma," Od said, his voice rising.

Tricia put a hand on Od's arm. "It's okay. I'll have my mom wire some money from my account."

"You're not using your savings."

"If this life is real you can pay me back. If I cease to exist after you leave, I guess you're off the hook."

The manager gave Tricia a strange look, then escorted her to a phone. Juliet answered this time and promised to send the money at her earliest convenience. Od and Tricia spent another hour with Mrs. Graham, feeding her and helping to lift her while the nurse changed her diaper. While his mother took a nap, Od and Tricia waited in the common room until an old woman invited them to a game of rummy.

Neither of them knew how to play, and Od was fairly certain the old lady didn't either, but they had a good time racking up imaginary points. A few more of the elderly residents decided they wanted in. The card game morphed into a strange version of duck- duck-goose when one of the more mobile residents made his way around the circle telling each person what cards to play.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.