Chapter 6: The Future is a Confusing Place

“Micah! What’s going on?” I asked.

“Who are you and what’s happening?” asked Micah.

“My name’s Missy, I don’t know who you are, and I don’t know what’s happening.” She said. I knew what was happening though and if I didn’t say something everything would be ruined.

“You have to go back in time.” I said to future me.

“What?” said future me.

“You have to go get in a car accident.” I said.

“This is strange, but I trust you.” said future me. She hopped into the time machine, before I knew it Micah was fading back in.

“That was so weird.” said Micah. “Where’s Missy?” He asked.

“She went back so you guys would still meet.” I said.

“Oh, ok that’s weird.” He said. Pretty soon I came back.

“Micah, you came back.” Future me said and hugged him. As they did that, I started thinking about how awful Brent looked as he walked away, I have to go back and let us go out, even though it ended badly. I went back and told myself to ask him out. He said yes and they were happy.

I returned to my time. 

“Oh crap.” Future me said.

“Now what?” asked Micah, Annoyed. 

“The kids come home today.” I said. Just about then there was a knock at the door.

“That’s probably my parents.” said Micah.

“Yeah. I’ll go get the kids and bring them in here so Hope can meet them.” Future me said.

“Hey, I’m gonna slip out the back door to go get my kids, and be back in a jiffy.” said Hope.

“Oh, ok.” Future me said, while walking to the front door. “Hi Mom, and Dad.”

“Oh hi. We tried bringing them earlier but no one was here. So we went out for ice cream.” said her mother-in-law.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry but we had a little errand that we had to take care of.” 

“Oh, that’s fine. Here they are.” All of her, or my kids came running into the house, except for the baby who was handed over.

“Hey my little sweeties.” She said, kissing them and giving them hugs. “Did you all have fun at grandma and grandpa’s?” She asked them.

“Yes.” They all said.

“That’s good, go put your stuff in your rooms and then come back here.” They all ran off. Hope soon returned with her children.

“Kids, There’s someone I want you all to meet.” She yelled to her kids.

“Coming mommy.” They said all walking out into the living room.

“Kids, this is Mommy’s friend Hope. You’ll be getting to know her a lot better now.” 

“Is she our aunt?” asked Harmony.

“Yes, she’s your aunt.” She said.

“Hi Aunt Hope.” They all said one at a time.

“Hi, guys. Kids, this is Mommy’s friend Missy.” said Hope.

“Is she our Aunt too?” Asked little Nick. 

“Yes, She is.” said Hope. The children greeted each other girls went with the girls and the boys with the boys.

“See, I told you they’d be best friends.” said Hope.

“Hope, what really happened to Faith?” asked my future self.

“Well, Michael didn’t exactly get mom and dad’s approval so she ran. Part of the 6 years I was gone, was to search for her.” said Hope.

“And the other half of those years?” Future me asked.

“I really can’t say. I just…” Future me cut her off.

“Hope, I’m your best friend, we used to and should still tell everything.” I said.

“Yeah, you’re right. Since my sister left, my mom and dad would fight non-stop. So one day, my mom being sick of all the fighting and having no more kids to worry about, came home with papers.” Said Hope, head hung.

“You don’t mean?” I asked.

“Yeah, Divorce papers.” Hope said.

“So, your parents are divorced?” I asked.

“yeah.” She started crying. I hugged her.

“Gosh girl, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I asked.

“I’ve tried to find Faith, but I just can’t.” Hope said.

“She just doesn’t want too.” I said. The door-bell rang. “Hold on Hope.” I went to the door and opened it. I gasped.

“Hello. How are you?” I asked.

“I’m fine.” came a little voice.

“How can I help you today?” I asked.

“Is Hope here?” She asked.

“Yeah. Hang on.” I walked back into the living room. “Hope, there’s some here for you.” I said.

“For me?” She asked confused.

“Mhm.” I said. She walked into the front room.

“Faith! Where on this earth have you been?” Hope asked.

“Well, mainly with Ben and Kim.” She said.

“Where’s Michael?” Hope asked. As she said that he came through the door.

“Hey Sis.” Came Michaels much deepened voice. Michael still had dark brown hair, but he’d grown so much taller. 

“Oh you have gotten taller since we’ve last met.” said Hope.

“Yeah, I know.” said Michael.