Golf In A Parallel Universe

by Jimmy Bloodworth

  “What's that?," I asked. Mr. Dafford Hilton is no longer a threat," he replied. “Wow!, they caught him?” I shouted out with a big smile on my face. “Well, not exactly. He was found in a hotel in a small town in Georgia. He committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. He basically blew his head off. The local police confirmed that it was him."

  “Wow” I said just shaking my head. “Not sure how I should feel about this. I am glad it is over but sad to see it had to end that way for him. I was hoping he would get caught and eventually get help for is psychiatric issues."

  “I know how you feel Mr. Galloway. I have been in this business for a long time. And it is very rare people like him ever get back on the right track. It's not really a bad thing it ended this way," he told me shaking his head.

  "OK, what's next?" I asked. "We had our plane ready to take you to a new location today. But since this is over, we can take you home now," he replied smiling. “Wow” I cried out excitedly. “OK," he said looking down at his watch. “It is 10:00am now. I will be back here at 11:30am. We will take you to the airport and we will be on the private jet in no time. We should be airborne by 12:30pm. Should be about a two hour flight back home."

  “Cool!. “I will start getting ready now," I said in a happy tone. “By the way," Said Agent Keller. Jerry Churchill is here this morning. He asked if he can come up and talk to you for a few minutes."

  “Sure, send him up I replied." As he left, I started thinking. Today is the Friday. The PGA Championship starts next week. I can make it. I will call my agent. He can make arrangement for me and Zack. Also I will call Emily. Maybe she can pick me up at the Airport and we can spend the weekend together.

  About that time, there was a knock at the door. I looked through the peephole and it was Jerry Churchill and I let him in. He came in with a big smile. “Hey, I hear you are going home today” he said. I had a big smile on my face. “Yep, for and I gave him a big hug." I almost wanted to cry. “Yeah it's been tough," I said shaking my head. “But hey” I said, “It is all over now. I am turning the page on this. I am going forward and not looking back. I am ready to start a new life. I am ready to see Emily and see where our relationship is all going. It looks like we may have a real future together. And besides that," I held up my hand for a high five which he responded. “I am playing in the PGA Championship next week," I said in a excited tone.

  "Hey, maybe you will make history” he said smiling. “I have not been playing” I replied. But I have had my mind on the game. The last few days I decided that if I get to play in the PGA Championship I am going to act like all this stuff the last few days never happened. I will be able to play like I have been the last few weeks. I think I can do it."

  “Golf is 90% mental, you can do it he replied." Then he handed me a bag of fast food breakfast sandwiches. “I thought you may be hungry for some good breakfast junk food. “Alright” I said excitedly as I grabbed the bag and sat down at the table. “Funny thing” I said as I started eating “All of a sudden life is good again." I am getting out of this terrible situation that I have been in the last several days, and I will be back to normal in no time. And thanks for the breakfast, this is great.”

  “OK Jim," he said. “I am glad things are going to be turning around for you." “Look," he said in a serious tone. “I have to run here shortly. But I wanted to check back with you on how you feel after all that we talked about yesterday?”

  “Well” I replied. “I have been thinking a lot about what you told me yesterday. And I am not totally buying it. But I have decided to at least keep an open mind. I am sorry if I told you that you are crazy yesterday," I told him. “No problem," he replied. “That's exactly what I expected you to think. “I would like to talk to you just a little more about this if I could, then I will be finished.”

  “OK, I'm all ears," I said. “Jim, like I said yesterday, whether you believe all this stuff I told you about a Parallel Universes is not important now. What is important is what happens in the future." He paused, trying to think how to explain this. "As I mentioned yesterday. You currently have two of yourselves with you right now. One from this Universe and the other you from the other or the Parallel Universe. Your other self will be going back to his home Universe at some time.”

  “Here we go again” I said to myself. “When you go back you have to stay. You have to keep the two lives separate. That is a good thing. You will live separate lives just like you always have. And will live a happy life in both universes. Both of your lives will have a vague recollection of the events that transpired when you crossed over, but not enough memory to affect you in your life. You will both be aware that there are two Universes and you will appreciate that.” I just listened as he talked.

  “But Jim," he said very seriously. “If you decide to come back to this life, because you enjoyed being a professional golfer, then you will ruin both of your lives. You will be stuck in both worlds, like you are now. And you will never be able to go back. Your other life will be destroyed because all you will want to do is play golf as a professional golfer. And since in that life you are an amateur and that will never happen. It will cause you to go crazy and you may lose your family. And in this life, you will struggle with wanting to go back to your family. But you never will be able to. And you will have that nagging voice in your head for ever and it will cause you many problems and you golfing career will suffer. It will cause you lots of emotional stress," he explained.

  “So Jim," he said. "When I tell you “Keep it Parallel Jim, Keep it Parallel." That has nothing to do with golf. I am telling you to keep both Universes Parallel to each other. Do not cross back over.

  "Well," I said sharply. “I think I changed my mind. I am going with you being crazy again. But, I will play the game for a minute. Suppose that I do go back over to the other universe as my other self. How do I make a decision on if I want to come back here again?

  Jerry looked at me and he continued. “When you go back, you will remember everything about this universe or life. And of course you will just think that it is a dream that you had or that your are losing your mind. But something will happen that will make your realize that it is real."

  “What's that?, I asked sarcastically. Jerry looked at me and continued. “Something physical will go back with you and you will discover it. Something that you had in this Universe will be found. It will be some physical object that you will know is only from this Universe. At that point you will remember everything that happened to you and there will be no doubt.”

  Then he looked at me really serious and continued. “This is where your decision comes in. If you keep that object, then at some certain point and time you will be cast back into the other Universe and will be stuck there for ever. However, If you destroy or get rid of that object then you will be free. Just throw it in a river, burn it, do whatever it takes to get that object out of your life and you will be free."

  “I am glad I decided to keep an open mind," I said still laughing. He was not smiling.

  "I made the mistake when it happened to me. I had a chance and I blew it. I was raised by a very strict family in this universe. We were also very poor. I had nothing when I was growing up. But I was lucky I had great parents that gave us a good life. But they were so strict. When I was in highschool I wanted to play sports, but I was too small. Then I signed up for the golf team and I found that I had some special talent. So golf was my focus. My parents realized that I had a future in golf and they pushed me to work on the game. I never got to go out with my friends. When they were out partying and having fun. I was always working on my golf game. My parents did not drink alcohol and made it clear that I should never do drink. And I never did. I basically grew up to be a nerd who had no fun in life. All I did was play golf. I never did party or have fun like other kids growing up. By the age of twenty one I was a successful professional golfer.

  And then it happened. I was cast into the Parallel Universe. In the Parallel Universe, I was a to
tally different person. I was also an aspiring golfer. I was trying to become a professional golfer, and I was on my way. And in that universe I did not have the strict discipline that I had in this Universe. I grew up in the other universe as normal person and enjoyed life. I drank alcohol and partied. But I did not drink or party to excess, but just as any normal young man would. I had girlfriends and just enjoyed life.

  I came from this universe and was cast into the body, mind and soul on the other side. Once I was there, I really enjoyed the life of drinking and partying. Because I never got a chance to do that here. It was so much fun for me. I was that voice in his head just like you have now. But mine was destructive. I effected my other self to drink and party too much and started destroying my self in the other life. When I finally come back here to my home universe I did not know what happened. But then one day I found a bottle of booze and I knew exactly what it was. It was that physical object that came back with me from the other universe. And then I remembered everything that had happened. The booze the partying the girls everything. Something I never experienced here. And I wanted to go back for more. Then I remember one Old man told me the same thing I am telling you. He told me that when I go back to my home universe and I find that physical object. And when I find it, I have to get rid of it or there will be problems.

  But I decided to drink it anyway. And that put everything into motion. I went back to the other Universe and completely destroyed my life there by drinking too much. Now I am stuck in two Universes at the same time. I am an Alcoholic in the other Universe and my life is ruined. You may think it looks like I have a good life here but I do not. Because I feel the pain on the other side and it hurts me deeply. I am living in both Universes at the same time and it is tearing me apart. Every day, I feel like my body and my mind and my soul is being ripped apart. If I would just have thrown that bottle I would have separate happy lives in both universes. But now I am miserable and my life is ruined in both Universes.

  So I am telling you now. Once you get back you have to Keep the two Universes Parallel to each other. You have to get rid of that physical object when you find it. Keep it Parallel Jim, Keep it Parallel."

  At this point I did not know what to think of Jerry. The only thing I can think of is that he is crazy. But I do not want to insult him.

  “OK, OK” enough, I told him. “I have to get ready, it is almost time to leave this place."

  "I have to go as well. I know you think I am crazy but it will all make sense in due time," he told me. “OK, thanks for the info," I said sarcastically. It was time for him to go and we talked for a couple of minutes. He told me he will be at the PGA Championship working on the telecast and he will see me there. He, went to the door, then turned around and said. “Keep it Parallel Jim, Keep it Parallel." And then he walked out.

  And of course it hit me like a ton of bricks, just like every time he says that. “Oh well the hell with this I need to get ready," I told myself. I started packing my bags. I called my agent Bobby I and told him in that I will be able to play in the PGA Championship. He will coordinate everything for Zack and I for the tournament.

  I called and talked to Emily and told her about what happened and that I am now free. She was thrilled and told me she will be there to pick me up at the Airport in Orlando. I got all my bags packed and was ready. I stood by the window and looked out a Chicago. I was thinking about all that has transpired the last few days. What a crazy few weeks. Going over and winning the British Open and then coming back to have all this happen with Dafford Hilton. And then Jerry Churchill telling me all about this Parallel Universe crap. It is hard to process all this.

  Finally I hear a knock at the door. It is 11:30am and Agent Keller. They escort me to a car downstairs and we drive to the airport. We do not go to the terminal area but the General Aviation part of the airport. This is the section where the private planes come and go. They drive me right up to our waiting plane and we get on board. Before I know it we are airborne. I take a deep breath and look out the window as we make it to cruising altitude in no time. I look at Agent Keller. “Man this is the way to travel. You think you guys can be my ride for rest of my tournaments this year, this sure beats flying coach," I told him laughing. He just laughed. We just talked for a while. This is basically what he does all the time. He manages protective custody people like me. They have a real system in place for this.

  As we approach Orlando I am a little nervous and very excited. I am ready to see Emily. I not seen her for a long time. I was overseas for about a month. And then in protective custody the last several days. After we landed, we taxied over to the General Aviation section. I had told her that is where we will come in. We went inside and there she was. It felt so good to see her. We gave each other a big hug, and the tears flowed from both of us.

  We were both a little embarrassed because we were so emotional. All this time Agent Keller was right there. I finally introduced her to him. The three of us talked for a few minutes and she thanked him for the security that they provider for her he last few days. She said she always saw the local police cars passing by her house and the FBI often called her to check up on her. “That's our job” he said smiling.

  Finally, they brought my bags and my Golf Clubs. I told Agent Keller that I appreciated what they have done me. He told me that Agent Phillips which was the first agent I met will probably be following up with me since he is the lead agent on this case. I told him I will be happy to assist in any way that I can. We said our goodbyes and that part of my life was over.

  Emily and I were finally together again. At first it was a little awkward because it has been so long since we seen each other and all the crazy things that has transpired over the last few weeks. But before long things were back to normal. She drove me home. As we were driving, we talked a lot. It seemed to both have so much to say. We finally arrived at my place in Orlando. We walked in the door of my Condo. “Man, it feels good to be home” I remarked.

  The place smelled a little stale since it has been closed for so long. I opened some windows to let some fresh air in. We just sat down on the couch and talked about everything. Finally she got a little quiet. “There is something I need to tell you," she said nervously. I could tell that she was quite concerned. “What is it” I asked. She paused taking a deep breath. “I cannot believe that this happened, and I was not sure how to tell you. I wanted to tell you as soon as you got back from The British Open, but all this stuff happened with the FBI and all," she said nervously. "What, what?," I asked. She looked at me and put her hand on mine. “Jim, I am pregnant” she said with a nervous smile.

  I was stunned, but not upset. I tried to think about how to react. I did not want to say anything wrong. But the truth was, I did not feel that this was bad news. She looked at me. "I did not know how you would feel about this," she said in a nervous tone. I looked at her and smiled. I took her hand. “It's all good," I replied. Then we just hugged and the tears were flowing from both of us.

  After we settled down we discussed it all on how we felt. She was not sure if she could keep it because she was not sure how I felt. I told her I was fine with all of this. I told her the ultimate decision is hers. But I told her that I would be happy a baby with her. She told me that she would prefer to keep it. We both agreed that we will be having a baby and we will worry about the details later. We both agreed that we will make that decision in due time as far as marriage or if we will be living a separate lives. For now it is important that we do all the right things to make sure she has a health baby.

  After all of that we were relaxed. I put my finger to my chin in a thinking gesture, laughing. “It been quite a year so far. I win my first Major Golf tournament. I meet the girl of my dreams. Then I win a second Major tournament and get attacked by some crazy guy. Then I win another Major tournament and find out the Crazy guy is still after me. And now, I am going to be a Dad. Not a boring year," I said holding up my arms up in the air laughing.

  We just
laughed. “Look," I told her. "I'm playing this week in the PGA Championship. Then I have a couple of tournaments left this year. Lets just you and I go somewhere for a nice relaxing vacation. OK?," I asked smiling. She agreed.

  The next couple of days, we relaxed. She stayed with me in Orlando. My plan was to leave Monday morning. I went out to my local course and hit a Saturday and Sunday and worked on my game. I felt good. Emily left Sunday afternoon to go back to her parents house. I really hated to see her go. But it is time to get back in golf mode again. I have a chance to make history the next few days. If I can win the PGA Championship, then I will win the “Grand Slam” I will be the first person in modern golf history to do this.

  Chapter 18: The PGA Championship. Going For The Grand Slam

  Monday morning, my plane touches down in Louisville Kentucky. I waste no time and am at the course about 11:00 am. I meet up with Zack and we both feel like kids in a candy store. It has been a difficult last few days for me. And he is fired up and ready to make a run at the PGA championship. We hit some balls and then played a practice round. I feel good. I do not feel like I have missed a beat. I am thinking maybe the layoff the last few days was good for me because I gave my body a chance to rest. Monday through Wednesday we do lots of preparation for the tournament. We played some practice rounds and spent a lot time on the practice range and the green. It was good to see the guys again and there was quite a bit of talk about Dafford Hilton. Everyone could not believe what all had transpired with him this year. But basically everyone is glad that this mess is over with. I get a lot of attention from the press. Everyone asking me how I feel about having a chance to win the Grand Slam. I just tell them that I will just do my best and we will see what happens. Some of the press asked me about the incident with Dafford Hilton. I just gave canned answers about that. I told them it was a tragedy and best wishes to his family.