1 Chapter One

2005

"Every day is a good day." Alice thought.

As she awoke and headed quickly down the hall of her apartment. Her surroundings were modest to say the least. Alice didn't own anything fancy, there was nothing more than a sofa and a 22 inch TV in the living room. She had barely enough dishes to provide for a decent meal, and she only owned one pair of shoes that she wore excessively, but with only this, life was good. She had her life, her Graham.

Reaching her son's room she quietly opened the door and listened. The 10 year old lay sleeping soundly, she quietly closed the door and headed into the kitchen. Checking the time, she quickly began her morning routine of making the preparations for her son, for school. Little Graham, no matter how big he is, he would always be her baby.

In the kitchen she brought down the bowl she would need for pancakes, her sons favorite. Thinking back, as it always crossed her mind, Alice didn't recall much of her life. She doesn't know who Graham's father is, how they met, how she became pregnant, or what happened to him. All she knew was every day she loved her son more and more.

Graham was shorter than normal boys his age, with his pale complexion, sandy brown hair, and hazel green eyes, it made him seem so much younger than ten. For Alice it was hard to believe how fast the time flies. Getting the butter from the fridge she placed a dab on the end of the knife and turned on the stove. Quickly mixing her recipe she thought back to her son's first steps, though she couldn't remember anything before him, she could recall almost everything after.

Closing her eyes she recollected…,… Little Graham was excited. With the sight of her, he screamed in delight as she entered the front door. Emily the neighbor girl was studying for an exam while watching him, while Alice worked. Graham was such a timid boy, he was so shy around the neighbors, but he loved Emily. It was supposed to be temporary, but Emily became an active member of what Alice called family. Considering she had none that she was aware of...

Blinking back into reality she quickly finished making the hot cakes and watched the time. Emily would be here soon to drive Graham to school, she needed to wake her son. Placing the pancakes on a plate, she set them aside for her son to finish with the final touches.

She could remember when that task was for her to do. How big he has grown.

Smiling she made her way to his room, it was time to wake her special boy. Reaching the end of the hall, and just before opening his door, Alice cringed. A hard lump formed and cramped in her stomach. Unsure of this sensation, she turned from his room and headed to the bathroom. She was sure she was going to throw up.

Reaching for the knob she looked down and noticed it rippling. Backing up, she looked towards her son's room. The walls rippled and fluctuated. Heart pounding she raced to the end of the hall and extended for Grahams door. Abruptly a light flashed in front of her eyes, Alice had no choice but to blink. Suddenly, without warning, as she opened her eyes, she was in the living room to her small apartment. Wiping at her eyes, Alice was confused.

"Alice?" Emily sat on the lazy boy Alice had acquired before the couch ever arrived.

Looking around she was muddled.

"What happened?" She thought. "How is this possible?"

The small voice arose once again. "Alice?"

Looking towards Emily, she was so young. Her dark skin glistened and her brown eyes beamed with curiosity. With her black hair pulled into a bun and her curls neatly arranged, Emily was beautiful. Alice loved the girl like she was her own, she was such a sweet heart.

"Yes?" She finally answered, as though this moment was not just a thought, but her now instant reality.

"Are you home for the day?" she asked closing her text book.

"Um." Trying to recall a previous response she replied. "Yes, I believe I am."

Looking down Graham was playing with the toy truck Emily had gotten him from a happy meal she received for lunch from her mom. Alice could never afford to take Graham out to lunch so those small gestures were always appreciated. Looking up the boy's eye's widened.

Screaming loudly he stood up. Forgetting that she was carrying a hand bag Alice quickly dropped it and reached for her son. As he took his first two steps and fell into her arms. Clutching him tightly she caressed his soft skin, looking into his eyes she outlined every feature on his face. Her boy, her Graham.

"How….how is this possible…..am I really here?"

"Wow." Emily smiled, as she packed her stuff and headed for the door. "I've never seen a boy love his mom like Graham loves you."

Her heart soared. Holding him close she said. "Yes, he is such a special kid. I'm so lucky."

"Yes, you are. I hope when I have kids I can have one like Graham." Reaching for the boy Emily kissed his forehead and headed out the door. "Bye Graham, I will see you tomorrow."

Looking around, her apartment had seemed bigger back in this day. Nothing decorated the walls, Alice couldn't afford it. The same T.V. sat perched on the makeshift coffee table she still used to this day. The only thing missing was her small tattered love seat, which she wouldn't acquire for another two months from the neighbors across from her once they moved. She didn't care, she had Graham, and not just Graham, baby Graham. She could live in this moment forever, if only time stood still.

As though he was reading her mind, Graham quickly pulled away from her wanting to play. Accepting, she set the boy down and watched as he continued gnawing on the small toy truck.

Instantly once again the walls rippled. Looking around in surprise she watched as the lazy boy disappeared and the couch restructured. In the hallway stood her son. Ten year old Graham was rubbing his eyes confusingly.

"Mom?"

Seeing that the realistic illusion was over, she made her way to her boy and hugged him tightly.

"Yes, my son?"

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing. Just remembering, you…. How much you mean to me."

"Ok…Mom?" he said, pulling from her and making his way into the kitchen.

"Yes, my son?" she said watching as he pulled the syrup from the fridge and proceeded to drown his hot cakes.

"You know I'm going to grow big and strong, right?"

She laughed. "Of course I do."

Graham made his way to the couch, placing his plate in his lap. Alice didn't own a table for them to have a decent meal on, she didn't care as long as she had him.

With a mouthful of food, he continued. "Well, I don't know if you're going to be ready to let me go. Or call me a big boy."

Her eye's lightened, sometimes he said the funniest things. Laughing again, she sat by him on the couch and asked. "Well… son?"

"Yea?"

"You do realize that no matter how big you get you will always be my baby?"

"I guess…" Looking up at her, he continued. "On one condition."

"Really? What's that?" she asked curiously.

"When I grow up you can't embarrass me in front of girls, or my friends, or anyone." He smiled up at her. She loved how his eyes lit up defining every small freckle placed perfectly on his face. "And for the rest of my life, I will always agree to be your baby. Only when we're alone though, Okay?"

She couldn't contain her laughter. "Deal, my son."

As he finished his breakfast she reached down and took his plate, rubbing his soft matted hair. "I love you son."

Smiling up at her, he quickly made his way back down the hall screaming. "I love you too mom."

Heading into the kitchen she washed his plate and placed it in the strainer. She couldn't help but think of the moment she just lived, holding baby Graham as if he was right there in her arms. Then ten year old Graham watching her in the living room confused. Watching her…..

"Wait a minute." She thought. "I was in front of Graham's door. How did I get to the living room?"

Walking back into the small area, she retraced her steps from when she disappeared in the hallway, to appearing in the living room. The walls had rippled and then there was a flash of light...

"Is it possible? Was I really there, in the past?"

She pondered on the thought. Glancing from the front door to the hall. She had to be, there was no other explanation. She was reaching for Graham's door, and instantly in the living room….. Nothing made sense.

Breaking her from her confusion, the front door opened, and Emily walked in.

"Good morning Alice, where is our little ray of sunshine?"

Smiling she said. "He's getting ready right now."

Wearing dark blue jeans, with her yellow and green college hoodie, Emily looked as radiant as ever. As loud as her sweater was, she could make any color look welcoming.

"How's school?" Alice asked.

Before she could answer Graham interrupted. "EMILY." Running up to her. She quickly received his hug.

"There's my boy." Looking to Alice, she answered. "I have two huge tests coming up, I'm nervous about the psychology test, but math is in the bag."

"Ah, sound's fun." She stated sarcastically. "I don't envy you."

"Yea, me neither." She chuckled.

Getting Grahams backpack from the closet she handed it to the girl.

"So are you picking him up from school?" she asked accepting the small bag.

"I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to. You know how the swing shift is, they usually show up late."

"Then I will just plan on it." She smiled.

"Thanks again Emily, I don't know where I would be without you."

"Anytime, you know I don't mind." She headed out the door.

Turning towards her, Graham smiled. "Love you mom, see ya after school." Hugging him, he quickly followed the petite girl to her car.

Closing the door Alice looked around. The apartment was always so lonely when Graham was at school. If she didn't have her job, not only would she not be able to keep the small upkeep on her place, but she would go bonkers. Alice didn't let a lot of people close to her. She wasn't sure why, it could've been something with Grahams father. Maybe he was abusive, or didn't allow her to have friends. She wasn't sure. Instead of pondering on that she quickly headed to the shower to get ready for work.

With no training she settled for being nothing more than a quick store cashier. She got her job when Graham was a year old, because of the timing, and Graham, she had no time to look for anything else. Settling in she didn't care. Graham was her everything, as long as he had what he needed that was all that mattered.

Still thinking back to the earlier events, Alice jumped in the shower, leaving her wardrobe in the room. Washing her hair she could still feel the remnants of tiny Graham in her arms. How, there must be a reason.

Grabbing her towel, she cut her shower short. Ringing out her long blonde hair, she covered herself in the towel, and made her way to her room. There was a purpose this happened today, but for now it eluded her. Watching the time, Alice quickly got ready for work.

***

Pulling into the Quik E Mart, Alice quickly made her way inside. Scott the night time clerk waved her over.

Making her way to him she smiled. "Morning."

"Morning Alice. Dave is here this morning, he wanted to see you in his office."

Placing her bag behind the counter she asked. "Do you know what about?"

"Nah, you know Dave, he doesn't really tell me shit."

"Well, ok then. I will set up the till when I come back out."

Heading to the back office she could see the store owner Dave on the phone. Not wanting to interrupt, she waited patiently by the door.

"Nigel listen, I will make sure you get hours. This time though you have to show me you can handle the job. This isn't rocket science...ok....yea...no...How about tomorrow? Um…let me see what she says, if so I will call you back...alright...….talk to you soon...bye."

With the last of his conversation Alice opened the door and sat on the chair across from him. The room was small, cluttered as it was, she could recall the first day she interviewed in here. Back then there was less folders and no security cameras. Now it had everything including a small T.V. display of the front counter.

Watching Dave, the slender Arabian looked disturbed.

Puzzled she asked. "What is it?"

"Well Alice, I want you to know right now you have been a great employee."

Cutting him off, she said. "Are you getting ready to fire me?"

"No." he said sharply. "Oh god no. Not at all. But…"

She hated when Dave hesitated, she could see the concern in his eyes. Alice's heart sank.

"But what?"

"I was on the phone with my nephew, Nigel. He needs a job and the only position he wants is mornings. So I have no choice I have to give him some of your hours. Unless you can work some swing."

"Dave, you know I can't do that, I have Graham."

"What about your baby sitter?"

"She can't she's in college I can't ask her to infringe her schedule because your nephew needs a job." Thinking back she said. "Wait a minute…..is this the same Nigel you hired before who showed up drunk on the job?"

"Yes, it is, but he had a drinking problem then. He's been sober for about two years, and he has a baby, I have to help."

Feeling herself break into a sweat, Alice was frustrated. She wanted to scream, instead she replied. "Yes I understand you have to help, but well… Why can't he work swing?"

"He will only take the mornings. I said that."

"Well Dave, you can't look a gift horse in the mouth, he seriously should be grateful you are willing to hire him again."

"I can see why you say that, but he is family."

"I get that but I have been here too long to have my hours cut." Standing up, she asked. "So when does this take place, because I am going to need to start saving up until I can find something to compensate."

"Actually tomorrow I removed you from the schedule for tomorrow, he will get three days and you the other three, and you guys will rotate on Sundays. One week you will have four days and then the next week it goes to Nigel."

"Dave, that's not enough time. I will lose my home."

"I'm sorry Alice. I can see about working you in on a grave, maybe you can get someone to sit with your son then."

"Dave I can't, it doesn't work that way."

"Well, Alice it has to. You really have no choice in the matter."

She watched him as he shuffled through his papers not wanting to look her in the eyes. That angered Alice, unable to contain herself, she began to shake.

Noticing the difference, Dave asked. "Alice are you alright?"

The cramp in her stomach once again returned. Unable to hold back her anger she stated. "No, I'm far from okay, you basically told me I have no time to prepare for your drunk nephew coming to steal my hours. I may go homeless but he's a reformed alcoholic who's family, so it's ok. No time to look for a job. Barely make enough money to survive... I'm pretty fucking far from okay."

Looking at her concerned he stated. "Maybe you should take the day off today….. It can give you some time to look for a secondary job to make ends meet."

That was the straw that broke the camel's back, Alice was fuming. How dare him. For nine years she has committed her service to this man and just like that she doesn't matter, and he can cut her hours.

"This is bull shit!!" she thought.

As he stared at her blankly, she said. "Let me guess, take the day off so you can call your drunk little nephew in for a retrain? Dave this is bull shit." Shaking violently, Alice could feel her life unwinding. What was she going to do? How was she going to pay her bills now? Most importantly what about Graham? Continuing, she said. "Do you realize I have a little boy at home who relies on me? Do you realize when things don't work out I have no family to turn to. This place…" she looked around at the walls as they began to close in on her…."This has been my family and you don't care about none of it….You could care less if my son eats at night...."

"Calm down Alice." He intervened. "I can help you find something….."

She quickly interjected. "What something else to work so maybe I can have 28 hours here and another 30 somewhere else so you can sleep better at night? What about Graham, my son. Does he get time with me? How do you live with yourself, seriously?"

"Alice…"

Before he could continue, Alice felt constricted she needed the day off. "Call your nephew. I need to figure things out…." Reaching for the door she finished. "Thanks for everything."

Before he could say anything more she made her way out the door, and behind the counter. Grabbing her bag she could feel her eyes well up with tears as Scott asked. "Everything Okay?"

"No, it's not. Have fun waiting for Nigel."

Dave's office opened, and he quickly advanced toward her. "Alice please wait."

"No. Dave I said everything I have to say."

She hurried back out to her car and started the engine. Unable to hold back the lump in her throat, Alice started to cry. What is she going to do? She had nowhere else to go. If she lost her place she would lose her son. Why was this happening?

As Dave opened the entrance door, Alice quickly pulled her car into reverse and headed out. There was nothing more to say.

***

As she pulled into her apartment, she put the car in park and didn't bother shutting off the engine. Slumping behind the wheel she allowed her feelings to take control. Crying uncontrollably, Alice could feel the cramp in her stomach begin to pulse. On the drive home she was able to ignore it, now, with nothing else distracting her, the feeling pulsated and cringed threatening to rip out her insides.

Before the sensation overwhelmed her, she turned the engine off and quickly found her apartment key, making her way inside. Slumping in her tattered blue sofa she looked around the tiny square footage. Tears rolling out of her eyes, this no longer seemed like it was enough.

Why? Why didn't she prepare for the future? What's going to happen with Graham? At that thought her heart sank. Graham, her beautiful boy. He deserves so much more than she has to give him.

As the thoughts of his smiling face rolled through her mind she watched as the walls again began to ripple. Sitting up she dried her eyes and allowed the transformation to take place. With the walls fluctuating, Alice thought back to her son at a younger age. As the flash blinded her she quickly closed her eyes and re-opened them. Standing in front of the stove she was making dinner for her and Graham. She could smell the food as it simmered. Looking around everything looked as it did in her day. The sofa was in the living room, and she had already discarded the lazy boy. The only difference was Graham. At this moment, he was six years old and coloring in a book he received for Christmas from Emily. Looking at the stove she took note of everything she made. Pork chops and white rice. She also had a side of instant potatoes going as well.

Turning the stove down on the meat, she headed into the living room watching her son as he remained consumed in his activities.

"Graham?" she asked.

"Yea mom, is dinner almost ready? I'm starving."

"Not yet son."

Unknowingly the boy continued in his project, she made her way over to him.

Her heart lightened at the sight of the happy child. "So whatcha coloring?"

"Mom, you asked me that already." Picking up his book, he waved it in her direction. "Spiderman, you said when I get done we are going to hang it on the fridge, remember?"

Recalling what else she said, she stated. "Oh yeah that's right, I did tell you the walls need more decorations and until I get some tacks we would use the fridge."

"Yup." He smiled up at her, and continued on.

Remembering back she also recalled what happened to the small drawing. It had fallen off the fridge. Alice had placed the boy's milk he hadn't finished in the door so he could drink it when he got home from school. Opening the fridge, the cup wasn't held down enough by the bar in the door and it flew over it, landing on the drawing ruining the design. She remembered when she had to discard it, Graham was so upset she had promised to buy him another book and he could just replace it. That never happened, she never had the money.

Closing her eyes, a tear welled up at the thought. Instantly she was back in her living room and young Graham was gone. She could no longer smell the food from the previous memory all traces had disappeared.

"What's going on?" she thought.

This was significant, it had meaning. Something important was transpiring and now that she had no work, it was her time to figure it out. Was she really adventuring into the past? Could this be? As she thought more about it there was only one thing she could think of. Find a way to prove her theory.

"But how?"

Remembering the drawing she had an idea. Sitting back, she allowed the thoughts of her young son to consume her mind. As before, the walls rippled. She again allowed the transformation to take place, as the light became over powering she closed her eyes only to re-open them. This time she was transported into the kitchen in front of a bag of groceries. Graham walked through the door and went straight to his room to place his book bag away. Looking down at the ground she could see the drawing.

This was the day the picture had been ruined. Reaching down she picked it up and headed back into her bedroom. Taking her blanket she tossed it aside and lifted the mattress. The drawing was only a week old when it had been the victim of the milk. If she placed it in between her mattresses, it should be there when she got back to her own time. This would prove she was really here in this time.

Racing past her room, Graham hurried into the kitchen.

"Your milk is in the fridge. If you finish it you can have some fruit punch kiddo."

"Okay." The small boy replied. "Mom?"

Making her way back into the kitchen she noticed her boy staring blankly at the refrigerator.

"What is it son?"

"My picture, it's gone."

Stepping to him, she held him tightly. "No, it's not gone. I just placed it somewhere, where nothing can happen to it."

"Where is it?" he asked.

"It's safe. You don't worry about it. Drink your milk and I will get you a cup of juice." As she made her way to the bag of food, the walls rippled and, once again she was back on her tattered love seat. Noticing instead of being in the kitchen, at some point in time, she must've gained more control.

"This is good" she thought.

Blinking, she rubbed her eyes. She quickly headed into her room and lifted up the mattress. The picture wasn't there. Her heart sank. She was sure she had adventured into the past. Suddenly a new thought emerged. As though it really happened she remembered taking an old picture frame that she hadn't had use for and placing the picture in there. Setting it aside until she could find a way to hang it up and surprise her young son.

Heading to her closet she opened it only to find the picture safely tucked in the frame and placed at the top of her closet. The drawing was untouched. Her eyes widened.

"I can change the past." She thought.

Thinking about her recent endeavor at work she thought about a way she could use this gift to benefit her and Graham. Maybe going into the past and looking for a different job to prepare for this day. So while the Alice of that time was working she could go searching for something else. Wait a minute...

Thinking about it, she realized each time she traveled she ended up in a different area of the house. She wasn't just traveling then, she was possibly taking over her own body in that general time. Testing it out, she placed the picture back in the closet and laid on her bed. Thinking once again of her young son she watched as the walls made the same transformation. Rippling and fluctuating around her as the light flashed, Alice blinked and once again she was transported into another memory.

This time she ended up in her small bathroom. Looking in the mirror she was wearing a black t shirt and palm tree pajama bottoms. Listening to the sounds around her she didn't hear anything stir in the apartment. Opening the bathroom door, she went into the living room and looked out the window. It was night time. Suddenly there was a sound of a baby crying in the back bedroom. She knew right where she was. Graham was about three months old, this was the night she had taken him to the hospital because he couldn't breathe right, she found out he had croup. Making her way to his bedroom she turned on the light and looked around the room. The tiny crib was actually a pack and play given to her by the hospital. Decorated with jungle animals, it also provided Alice a place to change her baby when he soiled himself. The only other thing in the room was a five dresser drawer that Graham would use to this day. She didn't have a lot of clothes for her baby, but she always managed to do well with what little she had.

Now, as she thought about it, he deserved so much more even at this age. Making her way to his crib she picked up the tiny infant and held him. She could hear the wheezing in his lungs. Holding him close she rubbed his head and kissed him. It was time for her to head back to her time. She knew she made the right decision taking him to the hospital because Graham is ten years old now, so she would allow the Alice of this time to resume control.

Back in her own time, she sat straight up and contemplated her plan. When she travels to the past she resumes control of herself from the past. So she can't necessarily go into the past and look for another job, unless she chose for herself not to show up at her job. She could go back and possibly start saving money, put some away every paycheck. No, that wouldn't work either considering she lives paycheck to paycheck.

Overwhelming herself in thought she couldn't help but to place her face in her hands and cry. What was the point of going into the past if you couldn't make a better future? There must be something she could do. There had to be. Then it hit her. What if she went into the past and bought a winning lottery ticket? No one would know. She would go one day and check the winning numbers then hit the day prior and pick those specific numbers. If she did it early enough, maybe before Graham is born then she wouldn't have to work at all. She could spend the rest of her life taking care of Graham and providing for him the kind of life he deserved. Her heart lifted at the thought.

The only problem she could see was she didn't recall anything before the small child was born. She would have to focus hard. She needed to recall a memory from when she became pregnant or before that. Closing her eyes, her stomach knotted with her thoughts. Wait a minute….

She opened her eyes and began thinking of her young son, keeping her thoughts limited to what she remembered. The cramping ceased and the walls began to ripple. As the light flashed, Alice blinked and again was transported to a time of her earlier son. This time she was on her couch, toddler Graham was asleep on her arm and she was watching T.V.

"Okay." She said aloud.

Closing her eyes she resumed back into her time.

"I see." She thought.

There's the connection. The first time she felt the cramping was when she was making her way to Graham's room. Her mind must've been trying to remember a previous memory from before the boy was born. When the feelings started she instantly thought to a time easier for her to recall, and therefore, was transported to that earlier time. All she had to do was allow for the body to commence the stages and fall into whatever or wherever the memory took her.

Holding her stomach she again closed her eyes and allowed the pain to resume. Instead of falling into something closer, she thought back to what eluded her mind, somewhere deep in the depths of her subconscious. The pain became overpowering, letting out a small scream she held her eyes closed tightly until she could see the flash of light take its position. Once the light receded she quickly opened her eyes.

Looking around she was in a hospital. The walls were bleached white and the smell of disinfectant became quickly overpowering. Glancing down she noticed she was in a nurses scrub uniform.

"I was a nurse?"

How could she forget something like this? As though her confusion showed, a nurse from behind the front counter quickly broke her out of her trance.

"Alice?"

"Yes?" she said, confusingly.

"Were you going to change the catheter in room 4304?"

"Catheter?"

Playing it off, she made her way to the counter. "Yes. I just needed to check the date really fast. I have some arrangements coming up pretty fast. For the life of me I can't remember what day it is."

Chuckling the woman said. "Oh I know what you mean, young love is always that way." She winked at her, Alice smiled back.

"Young love? What?"

Grabbing the paper from the counter she looked at the date. February 12, 2012. Wait a minute….

Her time right now was the year 2005. Has she traveled before? She must have, and forgot the incident. She gave birth to Graham in May of 1995. If the year is 2012 now and she is from the year 2005, she must be some sort of time traveler and she must've traveled back in the past and gave birth to Graham. Which means somewhere inside she knows what she's doing.

This also doesn't help her that much. If she plays the lottery for the future, Graham is in the past. She needs to be able to win a past lottery. But when she travels, she's always pulled into herself and she was not in that time, which means she can't go into the past and win the lottery.

Feeling dazed she turned from the counter and made her way down the hall, smiling one more time at the lady behind the counter. Closing her eyes she allowed the feelings to once again resume, as the pain increased she clutched her stomach and hunched over, leaning against a wall. Opening her eyes she was once again in her tiny apartment.

This doesn't make sense. What caused her to travel to the past in the first place, and why can't she remember it? How could she win a lottery if it doesn't benefit her at this moment in time? There must be more, and she's not catching it. Looking at the time she noticed Graham would be home from school soon. She had to figure this out, to make it work.

Closing her eyes she allowed the pain to consume her once again. Before the flash of light made its way in front of her, Alice opened her eyes. Cringing she hadn't noticed before, but the room had been swallowed in darkness. With this new found pain there was no rippling of walls or fluctuation of time. As the light came from the left corner of what was once her room, she noticed in the distance a figure standing and staring in her direction. Upon closer observation, and before she was completely consumed she made out directly who the figure was. Standing about a foot in front of her was a mirror image of herself. Reaching her hand out, the replica extended her hand as well. Before she could grasp the hand Alice was again transferred into a different time.

Looking around she was in an apartment, one much nicer than the one she occupied. Laying on a chocolate sectional sofa, she quickly got up and looked around. The living room was much bigger than hers, it connected to a dining room where a small dining table occupied the area. Unlit candles sat across from one another and in-between them looked like there was mail.

Was this her apartment? How did she not remember anything about it?

Making her way to the table, she took one of the small envelopes. It was addressed to her, with an unfamiliar address, along with an unfamiliar city. Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Placing the letter down, she walked around the space in wonderment. Entering the kitchen, the area was clean and tidy. Pots and pans hung neatly above an island counter. The setting seemed classical, she must've acquired a distinct taste she had no recollection of. Just past the kitchen was a small area where she could make her way to the patio. Noticing her deck space, there were two lawn chairs sitting with a table between them. Planters hung against the ledges filled with different types of flowers hanging beautifully in the setting. Everything seemed perfect.

Unwilling to get too caught up in the moment she made her way back into the living room. Sitting on the sectional, she closed her eyes and concentrated. Instantly she was back in her own time.

Recalling the moment time shifted she remembered seeing herself. Why was there another version of her? What did it mean? Watching the time she had ten minutes until Graham came home, she needed to figure this out fast.

First off there was a difference. When she thought about the time with Graham, the walls rippled and then the flash, and she was transported to a time when Graham was young. The secondary time travel, she felt a deep pain, upon opening her eyes there was nothing but blackness, once the light hits there's a mirror image of herself. What's the connection?

Desperately needing to understand, Alice again closed her eyes and thought of a time before she remembered. The pain ensued and, again, as the darkness enveloped her she opened her eyes. This time before the light hit her, she reached into the darkness where the mirror image had stood. As the light emerged, Alice was just close enough to the image to grab her hand. A tingling sensation hit her fingers and made its way throughout her body. As she stood up, she noticed this time the light didn't recede nor did she transport into any different time. The pain was gone and the mirror image smiled at her then disappeared. Looking around, with only the small refraction of light to make her way, she continued to walk toward the distance.

Noticing fissures off to the left and right of her, she stopped in front of one and watched. She could see a young version of herself waiting at a stoplight to cross. She didn't recognize the city and could only guess that she may still be in the Colorado area. Watching herself make her way across the busy street, Alice could only guess that she must've been a young adult. Deciding to see what age she was at, Alice quickly jumped through the crack, and instantly became the girl she was looking at. Stopping abruptly as she merged into her body, she looked around. Nothing looked familiar, she was sure she was in the city of the other version of her. Reaching into her purse she pulled out her wallet. Quickly finding her ID she examined the small card. The state issue was Colorado. Looking at the bottom of the card she noticed her birth date. February 2, 1987. Placing the contents back in her purse she made her way to a newspaper stand. Reaching in, she grabbed a paper and looked at the date. February 25th, 2005. She had just turned 18. Wait a minute…..

Closing her eyes she concentrated and was again back in the tiny confines of her bedroom. Confused she tried to assess her situation. Right now in a different state there was another version of her, how were there two versions of herself in the same time? Anytime she had transported it was always to herself, meaning there could not be two of her in the same time period. Yet here they were, how was she able to use this to her advantage when she didn't fully understand the situation. Feeling overwhelmed the tears again began streaming from her eyes, just as Graham walked through the front door.

"Mom, I'm home."

Quickly wiping her face, she smiled at her door just as Graham made his way over to her.

Obviously noticing her drying tears the boy asked. "Mom, what's wrong?"

As he reached for her she scooped him up and hugged him tightly. His small body felt good against her skin. That's it, she had to make this work, she had no more time left to contemplate. Graham deserved more than this, and she was damn well sure she was going to make it happen.

Holding the crackling in her voice she said. "Nothing, mommy just had a long day. I'm all better now, I have you my son. Hey, can you do me a favor sweet heart?"

"Yea mom, anything." He smiled at her.

With that she could feel a swelling in her heart. Look at this kid, he's amazing how does he deserve this? Not acceptable.

"Get mommy some water? I'm thirsty kiddo."

"Ok, mom. On one condition."

"What's that?" She held him closely waiting for his demands.

"You got to make sure it doesn't come out your eyes anymore ok?"

She chuckled and she could feel the lump grow in her throat. He knew she was crying, and he found another way to bring it up. Graham was so smart, she would be lost without him.

"Deal, my wonderful son."

Kissing her forehead he made his way out of the door.

What an amazing kid. God, how he deserved so much more. The lump in her throat soon felt like a fire burning in her heart. She was angry. Why? This wasn't fair, now was the time to make it fair. Thinking of a way she could do it she thought of a plan in her mind.

First she would go back to her eighteen year old self a day after the numbers came in. Then she would go back the day before and put in those numbers. After that she would make her way back to Graham before he even came in with the water. He would never know and they would be set together. She imagined his time would change too and nothing would seem out of place for him. New memories would emerge as to how much she spoiled him and showing how loved he was. Just like the memory of the Spiderman picture. Everything was going to be okay.

With that last thought, Alice closed her eyes and allowed the transformation to take place.