Then and Now

A story of how a girl changed her future.

  There I was on my 8th birthday. Running around like crazy playing tag with my friends. I remember that day better than anything. But now, I want to forget it. Forget everything that happened, have the whole memory thrown in the memory dump. But I can't. It haunts me every day and night now. And I can't deal with it.

  It was time to open presents when it happened. I was opening my last gift, all excited because all my other gifts were things I really liked, like dolls, stuffed animals, and building blocks. But this one was going to be awesome. Because this one was from Grandma. I was expecting something really cool because Grandma has a collection of magical objects and gives me one every year on my birthday. I got a candle that never melts and actually grants your wish every birthday last year. So I was a little disappointed when I pulled out a mirror, but I made myself listen to Grandma explain.

  Grandma told me that this mirror could show you what you're doing in however many years or months or days you tell it to. I tried it out and whispered "1 day ".  I saw myself laughing on the swings. I decided to see further and tried "10 years". And I saw myself in a taxi crashing into a giant truck and falling off the cliff next to the road. There was no way I would live after that.

  And here I am now, a day past my 10th birthday, sitting under my apple tree, depressed and frightened, knowing I can only live 8 more years.

 

Almost 3 years later...

  "Jessica." The voice goes through my mind a few times before I understand it. My name. "Come on, daydreamer. Your 13th birthday is coming up in a week. You need to start planning with me."

  I am sitting under my favorite apple tree. I was reading, but I must have gotten lost in my thoughts. I look up and see my mom, gently smiling. I wish I could return that smile, but my future is still bothering me too much.

  "Come with me. Your grandma just arrived. She wants to see you and decide on a birthday present." Mom says.

  I shake my head. I am not ready to see Grandma again. It has been several years since I last saw her. She has been busy and sends my present by mail with a note for a few years.

  Mom tilts her head. "Just welcome her, say hi, hug her, and then you can leave." She observes my face. "What's wrong?"

  I shake my head again. I can't tell her my future. It'll kill her. I take a deep breath. "I don't feel well. I'll say hello later. Can I go to my room?"

  Mom looks worried. "Sure," she says, but I can feel her concerned gaze following me.

About 5 years later...

  "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

  I blink. The lights had suddenly come on, and my eyes hurt from the sudden brightness. I look around. Mom, Grandma, and my best friend Maddie (Madeline) are standing in my room, beaming.

  "Happy birthday, sweetie. A wonderful beginning to an important day, don't you think?" Mom pulls me out of bed and huggs me. "I can't believe you're 18 already!"

  "Hi, Jessie. I came by early to help you pick an outfit for your party! Your mom said that would be fine." Maddie says cheerfully. "The look on your face when we woke you up!" She laughs.

  I can't help but smile. "Sure, Maddie." I say.

  "Hold on there. I would like to talk to my Jessie privately first, please." Grandma says.

  Mom and Maddie both leave the room immediately.

  Grandma turns to me. "Something tells me you've seen the future where you die today."

  I am startled. How does she know about that?

  "You have been so depressed and frightened ever since your 8th birthday, sweetie. And you've been avoiding me." Grandma continues. "I need to tell you something." She looks at me in the eye. "That future is only one future of all the possible futures. Your choices make your own future. You can still live today, if you make the right choices." She hesitates, then says firmly, "I would like to apologize."

  I open my mouth to say that she had nothing had nothing to apologize for, but she puts a finger on my mouth, shushing me.

  "The mirror I gave you only gives you the most likely future. But you have many paths that you can follow. I have a future mirror of my own. Mine tells me all the possible futures. I should have given you that one, but I was selfish. I wanted it to myself to see which choices would lead me to the best future I could have. I didn't even consider the one that would frighten you." She pulls out a velvet case and opens it. "You can keep this. See what you should do to stay alive." She smiles and leaves.

  I take the mirror. "In an hour," I say aloud. Many branches appear. I tap them, and they show me each future. I shudder at the dying ones, but I am hopeful. I might survive today. I know what to do now.

  An hour later, I am dressed, fed, and ready. Mom smiles. "You can have your own taxi, so you can daydream and take up as much space as you want today."

  It is a tempting offer, and I would accept it right away, but the dying future pops into my mind, and I shake my head. "We can ride together." I had seen that future, and it ended wonderfully.

  We call a taxi and get in. My heart races every time we pass a cliff, but we make it safely. I take out the mirror from my pouch and examine the next futures of the day. I will stay alive. I am relieved.

  We step into the party room. Before I meet my friends, I turn around and give the mirror to Grandma. "I won't need it any more. I'll have a happy day today." I say to her.

  She smiles back, like she understands completely. "You are so much more selfless than I was."

Author's Note

I just suddenly got the idea to write this story! Hope you like it!