A Different Time

by Donna Steele

  “I’m sorry, Dusty. I wish it could’ve been different.” She felt tears form again for this woman she had never met.

  He sat beside her and brushed at her damp cheek. “Guess I still needed my upbringing to become the person I am.”

  “And I didn’t?”

  “We don’t know what things were like with you and this Hinshaw guy, even if he was your stepfather.”

  “True. How do I handle this? It’s going to be awkward when I call Mom.” Dee raised an imaginary phone to her ear. “Hey, Mom, tell me all about this guy you married and I lived with for years.”

  Dusty breathed a silent sigh of relief. Knowing her siblings had been born calmed her. “You might want to ease into it a little better than that,” he advised and laughed when she stuck her tongue out at him. “Your dad’s coming for breakfast. He called a few minutes ago.”

  Dee looked over at the bedside table. “Where’s my phone?”

  “I took it to the kitchen with me. You needed the sleep.”

  “You’re too good to me.”

  “And don’t you forget it.” He pulled her into his arms and made certain she wouldn’t. When they broke for air he asked, “Do you want me to cook breakfast?”

  “No. Do I have time for a shower?”

  “Yep, take all the time you need. I’ll get everything together for you. The egg and sausage casserole?”

  “Yes. I’ll hurry.” Dee stepped toward the bath.

  “Don’t. Really, take your time. We won’t starve and while you’re getting ready, your father and I can visit. I got the feeling he wanted some time alone with me, and I can’t blame him.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Watching Dee disappear into the bathroom, Dusty felt a moment of relief. She had been so disturbed and stressed when they’d gone to bed. He could have looked up the information last night, but what if it hadn’t been as positive?

  Yes, he was being overprotective. He didn’t want her blindsided again. Researching areas they had postponed would be a priority for him now.

  They’d taken for granted the changes had all been positive. Easy to spot items—clean energy, advances in medical care—had been their concentration. There was a lot more below the surface to learn.

  A few minutes later, Dusty admitted her father when the door announced his arrival.

  “How is she?” Ben asked, the moment he was inside the apartment.

  “Much better. She didn’t sleep the best. I checked out Tom this morning before she woke up. He still had two kids when he returned to his wife and they seem to jive with the two brothers she remembers from the original time line.”

  Ben swiped his hand across his mouth. “I didn’t sleep so well myself. It’s too much.”

  “Agreed. But you do believe her.”

  “I kind of have to. Not remembering Roger but knowing about Tom. Part of me is dying to ask you every question I can come up with about what’s different over the last hundred and fifty years and the rest of me doesn’t want to know.”

  Dusty poured Ben a cup of coffee and waved toward the creamer and sweetener. “You certainly opened my eyes last night. I’d let all the good things I’ve seen cloud my judgment.”

  “From what you’ve told me, a lot of things sound better.”

  “That’s just it, things are better. I’m not sure about people when I think about it. Face it, you still have a job.”

  Ben grinned at him and took a sip of his coffee.

  Dusty looked up as Dee joined them. He watched father and daughter embrace, a new bond forming with the secret they all now shared.

  “Want some decaf?”

  “Why bother? I’ll take some more juice. Want to sit at the bar and keep talking while I cook?”

  “Sure.” Bringing his pad to the kitchen, Dusty began research as they randomly chose subjects to check. He continued pulling up screens as Dee and Ben thought of more questions. Most of the investigation included Braddock’s Crossing, which appeared to be the hub of the changes. Easily spotting the progression outward from the town, she pointed out these changes to her dad. Since it was the only reality he knew, the information led to more questions. As fascinated as Dusty and Dee, Ben’s questions spurred them on.

  The Middle East still contributed greatly to energy use in the world, due to the vast amount of sunlight so close to the equator. Their role had changed, neither leading nor following but sharing when and where necessary. Their oil gave them no huge advantage. The oil reserves didn’t seem to have been heavily tapped, since the process was so much more expensive and potentially dangerous than sun and air. Ben listened avidly as Dusty described the conflicts and politics he remembered.

  Marijuana was the number two most prescribed drug world-wide, finally coming into its own. Its medicinal value couldn’t be overestimated. Ben gawked at them over the information that use of marijuana had been illegal, leading to massive overcrowding in prisons.

  “Did they not know?” Ben asked.

  “It was very hard to get people to listen when they’d been convinced pot was only a gateway to dangerous and addictive drugs. Scientists knew it helped with strengthening bones due to osteoporosis, and was a wonderful anti-nausea during chemotherapy sessions, but it was controversial. It’s nice to see the benefits are finally being used,” Dee explained.

  Dusty nodded. “As a renewable substance, hemp leads the pack in manufacturing over cotton, and only trails bamboo.”

  “Look at this.” Dee pointed at the screen. “It all emanates from Braddock’s Crossing. A nearby town, Hickson put in the conduits after the blizzard of 1892 and it spread from there. D.C. couldn’t ignore it.” She clapped her hands in glee. “International visitors took it from there. Dusty, this is incredible!”

  Dusty shifted the screen. “Instead of mid-Seventies, the metro system went into use in the Thirties with help from the very experienced Coppedge Brothers and several other companies who wanted to share in the technology of the buried lines and uninterrupted services.” Dusty read on. “An upgrade or refurbishing is scheduled for every station and line on a rotating basis. This new present isn’t allowing the infrastructure to deteriorate until it’s too late to repair it.”

  “You talked to your students about those things, didn’t you?” Dee grinned at his delight, her hand caressing his arm.

  “I mentioned it, but they’re the ones who pushed it. They listened better than I did in school.”

  Discovering Joseph and Josiah had created the Pickerson Brothers BioFuel Company, and taught the technology as well, brought a chuckle from Dusty. Once again, the information flowed outward and was adopted by nearby communities.

  Ben laughed out loud at the tale of the congressman who, opposed to wind generated energy, argued wind was a finite source. He’d insisted employing it large-scale for energy would slow down the wind and using it to turn turbines would have environmental consequences.

  “I’m gratified to see the advance in women’s shelters,” Dee commented. “They took off immediately. With advocates such as Elizabeth and Mrs. Masters, I shouldn’t be surprised. We discussed this more than once at the Working Women’s Group I told you about, Dad.”

  “AIDS and Ebola didn’t get the foothold they had in our time.” Dee pointed at the screen. “Look, they were studied and treatments were developed much earlier. Thank goodness for the notes I left Elizabeth. We didn’t have time for everything I wanted to teach her or warn her about.”

  Dee did a little shimmy of happiness to Dusty’s chuckle, then exclaimed, “Oh, check on Daphne. See if her lingerie line was successful. Eliminating those stays was no doubt a huge boon to womankind.” As Dusty started a list, jotting down fast notes, she added, “Names of all the students you can remember, too. Who knows what else they did?”

  “Wait, are you saying long-
term mental health facilities were shut down?” Ben stared at them, appalled as they continued, no rhyme or reason to their leaps as they talked over one another in their haste to investigate.

  “Funding,” Dusty said. “It wasn’t considered a priority. Homelessness became an epidemic.”

  “Homelessness?”

  “People literally living on the streets. Shelters like the ones for women were set up for feeding and an occasional place to sleep, especially in the winter. They had nowhere else to go.” Dusty saw Ben close his eyes, shaking his head slightly in disbelief.

  “Physical as well as mental health was improved with Dee’s input,” Dusty offered. “She had to use ether for Connie’s emergency operation with me as her nurse anesthetist. She also grew her own penicillin.” Dusty grinned at the astonishment on Ben’s face.

  “Sam Dula came to me with an emergency, nearly lost his hand.” Dee spoke in a low voice. “He had been sent to the veterinarian for treatment because he was African-American. Dr. Tillman wouldn’t treat him.”

  “Tell me you’re not serious,” Ben sputtered.

  “Sorry, but it’s true. Looks like Dr. Morgan continued treating my patients regardless of color. Thank goodness.”

  Ben sat back, staring at them. “How did you do this, change all of this?”

  “It wasn’t us,” Dusty protested. “It was the people we met in Braddock’s Crossing. They took what they heard from us and ran with it. We were only there three months.”

  “Must have been a hell of a three months,” Ben murmured.

  Chapter 8

  Home World of the Malveks

  “Who is the focus?” Braxal’s claws were fully extended.

  The analyst shivered. “That is difficult to pinpoint.”

  Braxal’s eyes flashed red for an instant. The workers under his command were as useless as females. Did no one in this stratum of civilization have the capacity to understand or see time changes?

  He had spotted the changes emanating from the planet immediately. However, hundreds of workers who should have seen the phenomena, and spread a warning, had seen nothing. No one had the authority to put someone from the warrior class into such a position, but what other catastrophes had occurred without notice?

  There were fewer and fewer warriors each turn. Without expansion, the reduction in warriors could only continue. Braxal had personally fertilized thousands of eggs through his females, yet only two emerged as warriors. His other spawn, born to lower levels, such as techs and workers within his line, far exceeded the soldiers necessary.

  The interference with these planets by the Guardians had to be stopped, and territory expanded in order to survive and revitalize the warrior class.

  A conclave would have to be called. It would be difficult, but Braxal had to make them see no more time could be wasted. His investigation showed three planets had already been destroyed for their purposes. It would take centuries to undo the damage done to the atmosphere and temperature of these worlds. His children’s children would never see it.

  Unless the Malveks learned to control time as well.

  ~ ~ ~

  Guardian Enclave

  Cael hurried to her Mentor’s living quarters rather than the area where the Elders congregated. None of her previous assignments over the millennia had led to such turmoil. She stood silently, her eyes to the floor as she waited to be acknowledged. This needed to be private.

  Questions from her last visit generated as many questions as answers. She had no time for anything else.

  Much quicker than expected, her Elder stood before her. “Daughter?”

  “Forgive my intrusion. I come about the project. It has been perceived by others.” Agitated, Cael spoke too rapidly and with less deference than usual.

  “Perceived? From where? How did you learn this?”

  “I have been unable, thus far, to discern the location, but . . .”

  She paused, then pushed the words out. “The Essence informed me.”

  Chapter 9

  Washington, D.C.

  Dee looked tired when she finally arrived home. Another late day at the hospital. Dusty was glad he hadn’t waited to make dinner. They took their seats and Dusty served as she poured tea. “Did you call your mother?”

  The annoyed sigh and clunk of the pitcher hitting the table were unmistakable. “No.”

  “Okay.” He eyed her for a moment. “Are we still on for this weekend? You know, the wedding?” His tone had obviously set her on edge, but she was the one insisting her mother and this new stepfather meet him prior to the ceremony. He was fine with meeting them after the deed was done. Or maybe never. They weren’t children and her father already approved of him.

  She glared at him for an instant. “Yes. Dad is coming back. What about your father?”

  “I left him a message today. I’m sure he’ll call me tonight. Dee, do you really want your mother here?”

  “Yes.”

  She sounded a lot less than confident. Dusty reached out to rub her shoulder. “But?” He had to push a little. Time had run out.

  “I’m nervous about meeting Roger and pulling that whole thing off.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Isn’t that enough?” she huffed, pulling away from his gentle caress. “I’m supposed to have lived with the man for years.”

  “I know, but I’d really rather not postpone the wedding, unless you’ve changed your mind about marrying me? Or decided you want the full treatment after the baby comes?” He knew his attitude was not helping matters, nevertheless something needed to move forward in order for them to stick to their plans.

  “Neither. I’ll take care of it.”

  “It’s stressing you out.”

  “Yes, but it has to be done. I’ll call her after dinner. You’re right, I can’t put this off any longer.”

  They continued to eat in silence, then Dusty took hold of her hand. “You okay?”

  She put her fork down though she didn’t meet his eyes. “No. I’ve been in a mood all day. It’s probably hormones.”

  “You said it, not me.”

  “Bite me.”

  “Now you’re talking.” He grinned. “After your phone call.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Knowing on some level Dusty was being supportive didn’t help. He had no clue how nervous she was about this call.

  After Dee learned her mother was well and living in a more upscale area than she remembered, she’d again hesitated to look further. Her brothers were her brothers no longer, and one was now a sister. Despite her memories, there was no way she would ever be close to them.

  Stunned how the knowledge devastated her, she mourned their loss in her life.

  They wouldn’t know her in any case, though she had been around when they were babies and cared for them, even if grudgingly at the time. She’d never met Roger-the-stepfather. She would need to pretend a relationship with him. How did she do that? Had their relationship been like the one she remembered with Tom? Teenage hostility and resentment for the hurt to her father? Had this relationship been better or worse?

  Since Roger hadn’t been the reason for the divorce, maybe things had improved.

  Her mother could never be included in the loop about what had happened to bring Dusty and her together. No word about time travel or the changes emanating from their time in the past could be shared. Dad had barely believed her. Mom never would. Roger, as an unknown, couldn’t be allowed to pick up the smallest hint.

  Her appetite gone, Dee rose from the table only to have Dusty grab her hand again. “You should eat.”

  “I can’t.”

  “I should never have mentioned the phone call. Please, for me and the kid, eat a little.”

  Where had those puppy dog e
yes come from? She resumed her seat and glowered at his grin. “That won’t work often.”

  “I’ll use it sparingly,” he assured her, and handed her the fork.

  Managing to eat enough to pacify Dusty, she finally collected her phone as he cleaned up.

  With a sigh she pressed connect. “Mom? Hi, how are you doing?”

  “It’s good to hear your voice,” her mother exclaimed. “I was going to call you later to make sure you were okay. It’s been a while. I want to tell you about the latest garden club gathering. You remember Mindy Winchester?”

  “I know I haven’t been in touch,” Dee broke in. “Sorry. Work has been hectic. There is something I need to talk to you about.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  Finally catching Mom’s attention, Dee smiled. “Better than okay. I’ve met someone special.”

  “Well, that explains you not calling. No time for your mother when there’s a man involved. Tell me all about him.”

  “Better, I was wondering if you could come up this weekend. I know it’s short notice, but I’d really like you to meet him.”

  “Meet him? That’s different. I suppose we could work it out. I think Roger has a golf game scheduled. If it’s important . . .”

  “It is. His name is Dusty, Dustin Williams. And he’s very important to me.”

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you talk about someone like that.”

  “I never have before. What time could you get here?”

  “I need to talk to Roger. How about Friday evening?”

  “Perfect. Plan to stay overnight. We’ll go out to dinner. Bring something dressy.”

  “Now I’m dying of curiosity. Does he play golf? That’s going to be Roger’s first question.”