No Future Christmas

by Barbara Goodwin

  “Shauna, we need to go. The Guardians can come at any minute,” Mike said. He wanted out of here. He wanted a place to sleep, a place he could feel safe. He gathered up their coats and said, “Mind if we take some provisions?”

  “Go ahead,” Winston said. He grabbed a duffle bag out of a recessed closet and began to put flat packages of food inside. He loaded water stored in some kind of square, clear plastic containers, first aid and toiletry items into the bag then pulled a second duffle out. That one he filled with underwear, jeans, heavy shirts and a couple of coats. “These are for Mike. Sorry I can’t help you with clothes, Shauna. But I added some old coats that you could wear to keep warm.”

  “No problem.” She helped load the bags and put one by the front door. “Is there anything you can tell me about how I can find my parents? Have you had any communication with them in the last four years?”

  “Nothing. I thought they were dead too. You sure they’re alive?” “I’m really glad they’ve contacted you. It’s been so difficult not telling you they weren’t killed. It broke my heart to watch you grieve for them. How did you find out?”

  Shauna showed Winston the computer note she’d received. “Well, I’ll be.” He stood and stretched. “Do you know where you’re going now?”

  “No, but it’ll be someplace safe. Someplace without the eyes of the Guardians always watching.” They hefted the bags. “Thanks for your help, Winston. You’re a good friend.”

  “Come on Shauna, we need to go.” Mike reached for the doorknob forgetting that there weren’t any in the twenty-second century. “How do we get out of here?” He felt impatient, like doom was about to rain down on them.

  Shauna laughed. “Every door opens the same. All you say is ‘door open’. That’s if you’re on the inside. If you’re on the outside you say the same but have a code to go with it. Each code is different and they can change at a second’s notice. Keeps out intruders and works fairly well. Except when the Guardians do their smash and enter routine.”

  “Door open.” The door swung outward. Shauna saw the look of accomplishment that crossed Mike’s face and laughed. “Wow. Next thing you know I’ll be qualified to wash dishes.” He grabbed Winston’s hand and shook it. “Nice meeting you, buddy. Stay safe.” The door silently closed behind them.

  “The dog’s gone,” Mike said.

  “Too bad,” Shauna said. “I could use a nice guard dog about now.”

  They walked across the street to the skycar rental lot. Shauna paid with a prepaid card. They were loading up their belongings when Mike jumped and said, “Shit. Don’t scare me like that.”

  “What?” Shauna glanced around. “Oh, hiya fella.” She bent down and patted the dog on his head.

  “He seems to like us,” Mike said. “Let’s take him along. He can warn us if anyone’s approaching.”

  “We can’t take him, Mike. He’ll just get in the way, we’ll have to find food for him and he’s too big.”

  “The guy looks lonely.” Mike had crouched down and was vigorously rubbing his neck.

  “I’m sorry, Mike. We need to go.” Shauna climbed into the skycar. “Are you coming?”

  Mike hugged the dog and said, “Sorry, fella.”

  He stood up and stepped into the skycar. In a flash the dog jumped behind him into the backseat. Mike laughed and turned to Shauna. “I guess we have ourselves a guard dog.”

  * * * * *

  “Just tell me where we’re going?” Mike said a while later. They’d been flying for fifteen minutes. “What harm will that do?”

  Shauna pointed to the interior of the rented purple skycar and held her finger to her lip. “Autopilot. Heading, 6750, course 1145.” When the vehicle settled into its course Shauna fiddled with some instruments and the skycar turned toward another course and heading. Then she pulled out her electronic device. She touched a button on its side and a virtual keyboard popped out. She typed a few sentences and showed Mike the device’s personal hologram screen.

  He read, “Some of these skycars are bugged. The rental companies have contracts with the Guardians that included bugging. It was a take it or leave it deal, so they took it. We never know if we’ve gotten a bugged car, so we have to be careful what we say.”

  Mike nodded his understanding. “Well, I could use a vacation right about now.”

  Shauna laughed. “Me too.”

  “What do you do for Christmas around here? I haven’t noticed any decorations.” Mike stretched his long legs in front of him. He plumped up the soft pillow behind his head, part of the seatback. The dog stood on the backseat, turned in a right circle and plopped down with a sigh.

  “It’s against the law to put up decorations.” Shauna twisted a knob, flipped a switch and a light jazz song played over the interior speakers.

  “What? No celebrations? That’s awful.”

  “Oh, we celebrate. Within our homes, in our churches. Freedom of religion is lawful, we’re just not allowed to show or display it outside our homes. Because of that, you’ll see homes decorated beautifully on the inside.” Shauna shook her head. “It’s alarming at first. The city looks boring and drab all year round. But you walk into a private home, church, synagogue or other religious dwelling and you’ll see stunning displays that honor their religious beliefs.”

  “So, department stores, shops and restaurants don’t decorate?” Mike asked.

  “Not if they value their business.”

  “Sad,” Mike murmured. A thought occurred to him. “Why wasn’t your apartment decorated?”

  “Oh, I don’t have time for that. I’m rarely home right now, what with the testing phase of the time travel device being in full swing. Why decorate if all I’m going to do is sleep, eat and change clothes?”

  Mike sat up in his seat and turned toward Shauna. “So, what religion do you practice?”

  “I’m more spiritual than religious. I love Christmas for its goodwill toward man theme but it bothers me that people ignore it.” Shauna turned toward Mike and laid a hand on his arm. He felt a bolt of electricity shoot through his system. “While I was in your time I saw Christmas displays everywhere. They were beautiful. Songs played on outdoor speakers, decorations adorned trees and buildings. I wish we could have that. I guess the CEOs decided to do away with any display that could cause a rift between groups of people.”

  “But why would they do that?” Mike followed the progress of two skycars, one above them and one next to them. One looked like a fat bumblebee, black with yellow stripes on it and the other looked like a ripe, luscious peach.

  “The twenty-first century war in the Middle East lasted longer than anyone thought. People were weary of fighting. They realized it was really a religious war so they decided to eliminate all signs of religion. The hope was that if people could worship in privacy there’d be peace in the world.”

  “Did it work?”

  “Yes. For over one hundred years there have been no wars. If it weren’t for the Fearsome Foursome we’d be living in paradise.”

  Mike thought about that. No wars. He never thought he’d live to see that. A chance jump into the year 2110 had shown him what life would be like but there were too many things he didn’t like. “What about crime? Has it been eliminated?”

  Shauna smiled at Mike. “You would be out of a job as a cop. There’s still plenty of crime, on the streets and in business. Corporate crime is rampant, identity thieves are still finding new ways around security but thankfully don’t make much progress. Robberies still exist. It’s not paradise but it’s closer.”

  “I could still make a living fighting corporate crime.”

  “You can’t.”

  The blunt statement startled Mike. He turned to Shauna. “But you just said—”

  “You’d have to be a Global Guardian to either patrol the streets or fight any kind of white collar crime.”

  “Oh, well, then I’m out of work here,” Mike said. He didn’t understand why he’d even asked these questions. He wasn�
��t planning on staying in this century anyway. “How long until we reach our destination? I’m pooped.”

  “Fifteen minutes. Autopilot, descend. Landing destination at 1600.” The skycar slowed and dipped. The stick automatically went forward and they began a gentle descent.

  As the ground rushed up to meet them Mike saw more of the surrounding area come into view. He gasped when he saw palm trees and tropical foliage.

  “Well, I guess we packed wrong for this trip.”

  * * * * *

  Humid, fragrant air surrounded them the minute they climbed out of the skycar. The dog jumped out and stretched. He gave Mike a quick nudge of his hand and Mike bent down to rub his head. “I think we’ll like it here, fella.” Mike said. He inhaled a deep breath. “Wonderful. I feel myself relaxing already.” He glanced around the rental carport and saw lush foliage everywhere. He might not be a flower kind of guy but he sure could appreciate the sweet scent and bright red, yellow, orange and green colors of the plants. “Where are we?”

  After unpacking their meager belongings Shauna said, “Skycar lock, 1406.” She hefted one of the duffle bags and handed it to Mike. “We’re on a small island in the Caribbean called Isla Atlantica. It’s privately owned and not patrolled by the Global Guardians. They have private security here.” Shauna led the way and they crossed the tarmac toward a row of hover scooters.

  “Oh, good, then I could get a job in this time.” Mike didn’t know why he kept commenting about the job issue.

  “You want to stay here?” Shauna found a large scooter with saddlebags on each side for storage. She stuffed the duffles inside them and hopped on. “Come on, we’re off to have some true relaxation.”

  Mike climbed on behind Shauna and wrapped his arms around her waist. He felt the connection between them hum. “I don’t know if I want to stay here but I sure want to explore this time.” He laid his head on her back and tightened his grip.

  Shauna’s back stiffened and she turned her head. “What are you doing?” She leaned forward to break the contact but Mike moved with her, keeping his head firmly planted between her shoulder blades.

  “I’m getting comfortable. Don’t mind me, I’m just here to enjoy the ride.” He heard her snort and the hover scooter rose off the ground and started forward.

  They floated down a narrow, winding road past small outbuildings or huts. No one traveled on the road. Mike felt Shauna’s body shift and sway as she maneuvered the hover scooter forward. He closed his eyes and felt the warm wind as it rushed by his face and arms. I could stay like this forever, he thought. He snuggled closer and drifted into a state of semi-sleep secure in the knowledge that Shauna would keep them safe.

  * * * * *

  They’d been at the stunning estate of a friend of hers for three days. Three glorious days of swimming, sunning, eating and sleeping.

  Mike felt safe, refreshed and antsy.

  A maid brought them a breakfast of mango, pineapple and papaya layered with yogurt, granola and dried tropical fruits. Mike dug in. The coffee was Starbucks, the only kind that could be purchased anywhere in the world. He loved it. Today he drank an Ethiopian Sidamo, a bold coffee with a floral aroma that had a distinctive lemon flavor as advertised by the packaging.

  “What do you want to do today, Mike?” Shauna asked.

  “More research, I figure. We need to find out how to find your parents.” He scraped the bottom of the clear bowl. “Breakfast was delicious.” Mike got up and went to a sideboard that had a silver coffee service on it. He poured a second cup and returned to the table.

  “I’ll tell Camille.” Shauna gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen.

  Mike heard Shauna return but didn’t take his eyes off the virtual newspaper in front of him. He scanned it for any mention of them. “I don’t see anything about us in the news.”

  “Doesn’t mean anything,” Shauna said. “The Global Guardians are probably tearing the world apart looking for us.”

  “If it weren’t for this protected island and your friend, we’d still be on the run. I like the friends you keep, Shauna. I haven’t felt so relaxed in years.”

  “I’m glad you feel better, Mike. I do too. Although I’m sure my boss is frantic. He knows about my parents, agrees with their views.”

  “Good. Now about today… I’ve been thinking…” Shauna laughed. The light, happy sound wove around Mike, filling him with warmth and lightness. He sighed. What would it take to have a woman like this beside him for life? If only he knew. But with their time separation he figured it couldn’t happen. For a brief moment he wondered what cruel twist of fate had him meet the woman of his dreams at the crossroads of two centuries. Shaking his head he continued, “I want to learn to fly a skycar.”

  Shauna’s head snapped up. “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  “I told you it takes years to learn that. And there’s no way you can take the world test. If you have a criminal record, or are wanted by the Global Guardians, you won’t get permission. Not that it stops the criminals from flying.”

  “Well, there you go. Teach me to fly.”

  “No.”

  “Look, Shauna. If anything happens to you I need to know how to control that machine. You can’t be the only one to know how to fly it. What if we needed a quick getaway and you couldn’t fly?” Her forehead wrinkled and two vertical lines showed just above her nose between her perfectly arched eyebrows. Mike pulled her hand to him and stroked it. He lifted up her arm and rose from the table. Like a man taking a woman out onto a dance floor, he placed one hand at the small of her back and they walked to the ivory-colored couch in the great room and sat down together.

  “You’re distracting me,” Shauna said.

  “Yes I am.” She tried to pull her hand away but Mike tightened his grip. When she relented, he ran a finger over her knuckles and across her palm. He saw her eyes dilate and watched in delight as her tongue wet her lips. He stifled a groan. “I’m glad it’s that easy for you to be distracted.” He leaned forward and tasted her wet, tempting lips. In another time, another place, he’d make tender, passionate love to Shauna. Digging up all the resolve he could find he broke the kiss and murmured, “Soon, sweetheart. Soon.” He slowly wiped the dew from her lips with the tip of his tongue and watched her eyes widen with desire. “Teach me.”

  Confusion marred her features for a moment then cleared. She leaned away from him with narrowed eyes. “You are a sneaky, devious, tricky man. I’m sorry to admit I can be confounded by you so easily.” Shauna sighed. Mike watched her struggle not to smile. He knew he’d won before she gave her answer. “Only with strict conditions.”

  A huge smile creased his face. He felt a rush of excitement race through him as he grabbed Shauna’s hands to kiss them. “I agree.”

  Shauna’s eyes lit with mirth. “You don’t know the terms yet.”

  “I accept.”

  She laughed. “Fine. Consider yourself a student flyer.” She got up to leave the room.

  “Wait, what are the conditions?” Mike laughed.

  “Why do you want to know?” Shauna teased. “You already accepted the contract.”

  “Come on, sweetheart. Spill.” Mike sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. He placed one leg across his knee and settled in for a chat.

  With a large, exaggerated sigh Shauna said, “One. You must follow my directions at all times. Two. You don’t complain. Three. You study the basics before you ever sit in the flyer’s seat. Four. I take over in any emergency and five, you don’t fly without me in the skycar. Ever.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Then, Mr. Student, it’s time for some studying.”

  * * * * *

  Mike studied day and night for two weeks. It was a complicated process but he found it fascinating. Aerodynamics played a large part of flying a skycar but the rules of the road were harder for him to understand. Even though the rules were the same worldwide, he found it difficult to understand how skylanes were
designed and where they actually were. He grew a deeper appreciation for the poignant ballet that ruled the sky when millions of people flew their vehicles.

  “Test time.” Shauna strolled in bringing with her a feminine, flowery fragrance. She wore tight, peach-colored shorts made of some slinky material. Her white top left her shoulders bare but hugged her beautiful body leaving two inches of her sun-tanned waist exposed to his sight. She glowed with health and vitality and for an intense moment Mike wanted with her with every fiber of his being.

  “What?” He didn’t realize he’d stepped up to her but somehow she was in his arms. Their attraction sizzled and he devoured her mouth. Mike tasted mint and cinnamon along with coffee. Flavors he would always associate with Shauna.

  She pulled back and licked her lips. “Quit that,” she grinned. Shauna scraped a hand through her short hair, spiking it.

  “No.” Mike playfully pulled her to him. He ran his hands over her shoulders, circled his finger in the hollow of her collarbone and trailed his finger up her neck. He felt Shauna shiver and watched her eyes darken. “You want me as much as I want you.”

  “Now’s not the right time, Mike.”

  “It’s never the right time to fall in love.”

  “What?” Shauna stepped back to stare at Mike. “You’re not in love with me.”

  Mike didn’t hear her. He stood stunned at the revelation. How could he be in love with a woman he’s never made love with? What was it about Shauna that screamed permanence? He mentally shook his head and took a tactical retreat. “I’m talking generally, Shauna.” But his heart pounded and his palms were sweaty.

  “Oh, well then…” He saw her chest rise and fall and heard her suck in a breath. She turned and slapped a ten-page test on the table next to him. “Here’s the first phase of the three-phase skycar test. Normally you’d take one a year for the required three years of studying. But you’re on an expedited learning pace.” She laughed. “There’s no time limit. You are allowed to use study materials.”