Spinning Time: a time travel adventure

by Jones, D. F.

  Andy pulled out a chair for her to sit down. “Double meat lovers, thin crust with extra cheese.”

  Picking up a slice, Julia took a bite and moaned. She covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, my goodness. It’s excellent.” She took several gulps of beer. “Now, that hits the spot.”

  Julia and Andy talked while they polished off an entire pizza along with several mugs of beer. He relayed some of the significant changes since 1948, like the end of the first Cold War, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon, and how the internet changed everything from commerce to social interaction.

  Andy picked up the plates and raked off the leftovers into the sink, turned on the water, and flipped a switch that made a terrible grinding noise. She placed her hands over her ears. “What is that?”

  “It’s a garbage disposal. It gets rid of unwanted food instead of leaving it in the trash, which attracts critters, one of the many new inventions of the twentieth century. Hey, I’ll look online later for hair stylists in Asheville. Maybe someone will work you in tomorrow. Oh, I’m not sure if contact lenses were available in 1948, but…” He grabbed a small box sitting on the kitchen counter and placed it in front of Julia.

  “These are cosmetic contact lenses. You can change the color of your eyes. See the directions on the box: you position the contact on the tip of your index finger and hold your upper lid, then pull down the lower lid, look up to the ceiling and put the lens on the bottom part of your eye. I bought two colors, amber, and aquamarine. I could try and find violet like Liz’s.”

  Julia’s eyes widened, and she crinkled her nose. “Sounds painful. Should I change my eye color too? I’m not sure I have the guts to put that thing in my eyes. If I dye my hair, why do I have to change my eye color?”

  Placing his hand on her shoulder, Andy said, “I promise it’s not painful. I wore a pair once to a Halloween costume party. You don’t have to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.”

  Julia reached over and opened her dad’s jewelry box. “This letter is from my dad. Will you read it and let me know what you think?”

  “Sure, but let’s get a couple more brews and sit in the sunroom.” Andy went to the icebox and pulled out two more beers.

  Julia followed him down a different hallway through the double doors toward the back of the house.

  Large palm plants, ferns, and peace lilies filled every crook and cranny of the huge sunroom. An L-shaped brown leather sofa backed against a wall of windows. Angled to the left of the couch sat an off-white chaise, and across the room in the corner was a shiny black baby grand piano with the top opened. “What a lovely and inviting place. Did you decorate it?”

  Andy sat on the couch and pulled a lever on the side, which popped up a footrest. “My ex-fiancée decorated the room for entertaining before I caught her sleeping with a college student in my laundry room.”

  She gasped and said, “Are you serious? You caught them doing it in the laundry room?” Julia slipped off her flip-flops and sat cross-legged facing Andy.

  He handed her another beer. “Sadly, it’s true. I gave her the washer and dryer as a going away present. I completely renovated the laundry room. It’s pretty sweet, and I don’t want to talk about her.”

  Julia said, “Good. I’m glad you caught her if she’s that kind of girl. But I would like to see how the washer and dryer work. General Electric had just come out with an automatic washing machine the year before I fell through time.”

  “I’ll show you around the appliances tomorrow.” Andy placed his beer on a wooden coaster on the end table.

  He took the letter from Julia and began to read. After a few minutes, his brows creased. Looking up, he dragged his hand over his mouth and chin. “I’ve read about ATTRA in several of Phillip’s journals. Of course, I thought Phillip was going nuts when I read it. But from what I remember, the agency is very mysterious, and to my knowledge, no single government in the world claims ownership or acknowledges its existence. Ah, I thought it would make you more comfortable for me to refer to my grandfather as Phillip.”

  Julia nodded and said, “Thanks. Yeah, it’s a little more comfortable if there is such a thing in my situation. Do you think ATTRA would help me get back home?”

  “From what I read in the journals, Phillip placed hope and trust in them in the beginning, but later several of his side notes mentioned a possible cover-up and stated some of them were dangerous.”

  “Do you think they’re aliens, like in Orson Welles’s rendition of the War of the Worlds?” Julia took another sip of beer.

  Andy scratched his left eyebrow and then twisted it. “I have no idea. I’ve been thinking about the journals, though. We need to organize them by date and catalog the data. Before Phillip died, he told me to protect the journals with my life. At the time, I thought he was using a catch phrase, but after today, I believe he was serious. I’ll start inputting the data into my laptop. Maybe from the information, we’ll devise a plan to send you home.”

  He kicked the footrest down and swiveled around to face Julia. “I have a colleague and friend, Ruben Callaway, who works with me in the Science department. He teaches physics too, and I know he’s been researching time travel. We’ll pick his brain. I’ll call him tomorrow and see if he can come over for dinner. We’ll tell him you’re an old family friend who’s working on a time travel project for your thesis. I think he’ll buy it.”

  “What’s a laptop? You're going to have to train me on the new terms and inventions, at least a basic crash course. For instance, what’s that big black frame over your mantle? It doesn’t look like art.” Julia drank the rest of her beer.

  Andy laughed out loud, and said, “You got it. That’s my baby, a sixty-five-inch flat screen TV with high definition.” He picked up a small device, and the screen turned on.

  Julia’s mouth dropped open as she looked at the brilliant colors and clarity of the screen. It was better than watching a movie at The Bijou. “Wow. I knew I was onto something. After graduation, I wanted to move to New York to write scripts for television, and just look at that big beautiful screen.”

  “Oh, man, I have access to hundreds of TV shows, movies, music and the internet. Follow me. I want to show you my laptop in my office. With a few taps on my keyboard, I have access to billions of records, people, videos, social media, just about anything, I bet there’s tons of information on time travel, but most of it’s probably junk.”

  Julia followed Andy into a small office next to the sunroom. A black desk was pushed next to a large window with a view of the backyard.

  Andy said, “Here, sit behind the desk, and I’ll grab another chair.”

  Over the next couple of hours, Andy taught her how to operate his computer laptop. Thanks to many typing classes, she picked it up quickly. In today’s society, people accessed so much information it was mind boggling.

  Andy glanced at his watch and yawned. “It’s past midnight. We’ll pick up on your tutelage tomorrow when we get back from Asheville.”

  Julia said, “Would you mind giving me one of Phillip’s journals to read in my room tonight?”

  “Sure thing. Give me a couple of minutes. You can play on the computer a little while longer.” He left the room.

  Julia looked at the screen and typed in the search engine, Phillip Andrew Clayborn Sr. and several images popped up along with links to different articles. She clicked through several of the pictures. Placing her hand next to his face, she whispered, “Phillip, my darling, I’m going to find a way back, I promise.”

  Andy came back in the room with an old notebook in his hand. “I went through the journals until I found the first one. Phillip started this journal the night of your disappearance.” He gave the journal to Julia, and she took it, hugging it to her chest.

  Taking a deep breath, she said, “I think I’ll retire to the guest bedroom to read if you don’t mind.”

  “Look, this is your home for as long as you want to live here. You don’t have to as
k permission, and I’m going to call it a night too.” Suddenly, he grabbed her into his arms, squeezing her tight. “Julia, my heart breaks for you. I want you to know that I’m here for you any time, day or night if you need to talk.” He released her, and together they walked down the hall to the bedrooms in silence.

  Julia stepped just inside her room, but before closing the door, she said, “Andy, I don’t believe in coincidences. You were there today for a reason. Somehow, all of this connects. Thank you for making me feel welcomed in your home.” Andy gave her a slight nod, then turned and stepped into the master bedroom.

  Closing the door, Julia slipped off her flip-flops and removed her leggings and tunic. She decided to sleep in Andy’s oversized sweatshirt. She turned on the lamp on the nightstand and then flipped off the main light switch. Pulling the covers back, she slid in between the crisp, clean sheets. Propping the pillows behind her back, she reached over for the journal and opened the book to the first page.

  Julia, my love, I blame myself for climbing the cliffs to the Falls. Sloane was right. It was too dangerous, and I couldn’t find you…

  * * *

  1948 Burkett Falls

  Phillip climbed the cliffs behind Julia, leaving Sloane to sunbathe on the flat rock next to the beach.

  Sloane yelled out, “I don't think y’all need to climb behind the Falls today. The current is too fast from the storms last night.”

  “Let the good times roll, baby sis. I want to stand under the Falls and wash my hair.” Julia and Phillip climbed the natural stone steps leading to the back of the waterfall. She turned and said, “Come on, Sloane. It’ll be fun!”

  Sloane shook her head no. Phillip held Julia’s hand and squeezed. “Maybe, we should listen to your sister.”

  Julia’s hand fell away from his. With a smirk, she said, “You chicken?” Julia turned and blew a kiss to Phillip right before she stepped behind the Falls. “I love you.” Julia walked into the rushing water and stretched her arms upward to the sky.

  Then she slipped and fell.

  Phillip shouted, “Grab something, grab anything, I’m coming, Julie.” By the time, Phillip made it to the rushing waters, Julia had disappeared beneath the roiling pool of foamy water. He ran back to the edge of the cliffs, whistled loudly, and shouted, “Sloane, take my Jeep and get help. Quick, Sloane! She’s caught in the undertow, and I can’t see her.” He turned and dove straight into the churning waters of the Falls. He swam down as far as he could, until his lungs nearly burst, searching for Julia, but she was gone.

  Even with his eyes opened underwater, the water moved so rapidly it made it impossible to see his hands in front of his face. Phillip’s lungs burned badly, threatening to burst from the lack of oxygen, so he swam to the surface for air. He frantically swam away from the Falls to get a better perspective of the landscape. He screamed, “Julia, where are you? Julia!”

  Phillip swam back and forth across the width of the pools. He climbed the cliffs again and dove back into the Falls where he’d last seen Julia. He edged along the wall of the cliffs behind the raging Falls to see if Julia crashed into one of the jutting rocks or boulders, but she had vanished into thin air.

  Breathing heavily, Phillip became dizzy, but he kept searching. He was hoarse from screaming Julia’s name over and over. With barely a whisper, he cried, “Julia, oh God, Julia. Don’t leave me.”

  Phillip’s head lolled back, and he sank into the water. Seconds later, someone pulled him out. With blurred vision, Phillip looked up to see Joe. “Did you find her?”

  Urgently, Joe said, “We can’t find Julia. What happened to her, Phillip?”

  Sloane held Phillip’s head and said, “Daddy, he’s in shock, and I told you what happened. Julia climbed the cliffs and stood under the Falls and slipped before Phillip could get to her. She fell. Julia never surfaced but disappeared.”

  Bunny released a loud outcry. “No one just disappears. He killed my baby. What did you do to her, you monster?”

  Joe frowned and shook his head. “That’s not helping, sugar.” He turned to Sloane and asked, “Did Sam call the Sheriff’s office?”

  Bunny stood over Phillip glaring at him like he was the antichrist. “I called the sheriff, and that son of a biscuit eater is going to jail.”

  “Mother, stop it. I was here the whole time. Phillip didn’t do anything to Julia except try and find her. Maybe she was swept into an undercurrent we can’t see.”

  Bunny plopped on the ground next to Sloane. “Julia’s not dead. I’m her mother. I would know if she were dead.”

  Phillip fought the tears, but the thought of never seeing Julia again hit him like a shot to the heart. He sat up and looked between Joe and Bunny. “I couldn’t find her. I tried over and over. She’s gone. She’s not in the water. She’s just…gone.” He rubbed his hands over his face and then gripped his hair in despair wanting to pull it out by the roots.

  Distant sirens grew louder and louder before stopping in the open field behind the beach. Within minutes, the perimeter of the pools and beach crawled with men from the Sheriff’s office.

  Sheriff Lamb stepped over to the family, took off his hat, and held it in his hands. “I’m sorry, but we couldn’t find Julia. We’ve called in a diving team from Myrtle Beach.”

  Bunny cried out in grief, and Sloane hugged her.

  Joe and Phillip stood with the sheriff. Joe asked, “You mean, as a recovery attempt and not as a rescue?”

  “Yeah, Big Joe. We’re sending the diving team in to search for Julia. I don’t have anyone on my staff that dives. There are undercurrents, and to my recollection, a cave runs under the Falls. She may be where we can’t see her.”

  Phillip paled, and his lip quivered. “You’re saying she’s dead. She’s not. She just vanished. Don’t you get it?”

  Bunny sprang up from the ground and pointed to Phillip. “Arrest him, Tommy. He killed my daughter.”

  Sheriff Tom Lamb remained calm while placing his hand on Bunny’s shoulder. “Bunny, now is not the time for finger-pointing. I’m not arresting Phillip. I’ll have him and Sloane stop by the station tomorrow to make an official statement. Get yourself together and let Sloane take you back to the big house.”

  “My beautiful girl is gone. I can’t believe it. My baby is gone.” Bunny fell into Joe’s arms, sobbing.

  An hour later, only Phillip remained at the Falls, and he prayed, “Please watch over Julia. Keep her safe. If it’s your will, Lord, send her back to me.”

  Phillip had tried to be brave all afternoon, but finally broke down and cried until dark, then drove home.

  His father met him at the door. “Phillip, I’m sorry, son. Tommy called me.”

  “Please dad, not now. I need some time.” Phillip went to his room and shut the door. Still suffering from shock, he grabbed an empty journal and began to write Julia a letter:

  Julia, my love,

  I blame myself for climbing the cliffs and walking behind the Falls. Sloane was right. It was too dangerous, and I couldn’t find you. The Sheriff’s office is bringing in divers tomorrow, but they won’t find you either. I watched you disappear in the Falls. I don’t know where you’ve gone, but I vow to find the answers for you, for your parents, Sloane, and for me.

  Today started out fantastic, the best day of my life. Your father agreed to our marriage, and then everything went miserably wrong. I thought the world ended when I lost my mother. But nothing accurately describes the pain I feel from losing you. The world as I know it ended today. I will love you with every breath I take, every moment of every day, and somehow, I will find a way to you.

  Until we meet again, I pray my words will reach you, and you’ll know that you hold the strings to my heart.

  I am forever yours,

  Phillip

  * * *

  Present day, Burkett Falls

  Tears streamed down Julia’s face. Phillip knew from the instant she fell into the pools of Burkett Falls that she’d disappeared. He’d lov
ed her and searched for her for the remainder of his lifetime. She had no clue how she was going to get back to Phillip, but Julia intended to spend whatever time she had left on Earth trying. She thought of Andy in the next room. Where did Andy fit in this cosmic whirlwind? Why did this happen?

  Chapter 5

  The next day, Julia walked into Edie’s upscale and very posh hair salon and two hours later emerged as Kaye Bailey. Her hair stylist, Joni had a warm and bubbly personality and set Julia at ease as she transformed her 1940s hair into a chic millennial look with a Liz Taylor flair.

  Scanning the parking lot, Julia spotted Andy leaning against his Camaro with his arms crossed over his massive chest. She sucked in a breath when he spotted her. Andy looked so much like Phillip that her heart skipped a beat. Seeing Andy made Julia acutely aware of the pain of losing Phillip, and the growing knowledge that she may never see him again.

  Andy moved toward Julia and spun her around. “I love the new you. Real frigging hot, and I can see why my grandfather fell in love with you.”

  Julia blinked away tears and said, “You really like it? Joni’s an excellent stylist, but my hair is so short.” She touched the back and side of the cropped hairstyle. “I cried when she cut my hair. I didn’t mean to hurt Joni’s feelings, but I’ve never worn my hair this short before.”

  Andy opened the passenger door. “You’re movie star beautiful, my friend.” He brushed his fingers along her jawline. “The contrast between your creamy pale skin against the black silky waves is striking. The hairstyle frames your face perfectly and accents those doe-shaped eyes of yours. I’m glad we chose the sapphire contacts. I’m afraid you’re going to attract attention, and it’s not because you look like Julia Boatwright. It’s because you’re gorgeous.”

  Giggling, Julia playfully pushed him, then slid into the car seat. “Aw, you’re as smooth as Phillip too.”

  Minutes later, they drove down the interstate toward Burkett Falls. The countryside was barely recognizable from the roads she used to travel. The mountains along the corridor remained unchanged and kept her grounded.