3 Chapter Three

2005

Looking around, Alice was completely unfamiliar with her surroundings. Where the hell was a normal corner store? Where did she live? Closing her eyes she thought about this time in Colorado. Nothing came to mind. Walking down Galley Rd, she could only continue on in hopes a liquor store was nearby. This time as she started her adventure with her younger self, she didn't appear in an apartment, or a hospital or anything she could make her way from. She had been walking down this road, for her the best idea she had was to keep on going. Continuing down Galley she came across a stoplight. As cars made their way across the green light she noticed directly in front of her a small corner store.

Making her way to the stoplight, she pressed the button. Looking up at the street sign the store was located on the corner of Galley Rd. and Hathaway. Noting that for future reference, she made her way across the street. The name of the mini market was Loaf and Jug. The store was small but adequate with a car wash located in the same parking lot. Signs for cigarettes at a discounted price decorated the front of the building.

Making her way inside she had no interest in cigarettes only numbers. For this day she would get the winning numbers and then she would quickly travel to an earlier time and play them. She just had to be sure on being there before the date they were drawn, on those specific numbers.

Breaking her from her trance a voice from behind the counter spoke to her.

"Hello Alice, how are you?"

"I'm good." She said confusingly.

She had no idea who this person was but she must've come in here a few times to be recognized by name. That told her she lived close.

Confidently making her way to the counter, she took a quick glance at the name tag: Marge.

"Hey Marge, I was wondering if I could get a copy of the winning lottery numbers."

"Sure, did you play?"

"Oh, no I just wanted to keep up with the winnings."

"Oh, well you should play. It doesn't look like there was a winner."

"Yea, maybe I will." She smiled, accepting the small paper from the clerk.

Looking at the receipt it stated the winning numbers for the Colorado lottery drawn on February 9, 2005, were 3-10-28-34-39-45.

Making her way out of the store, she quickly headed to the side of the building and closed her eyes. Clutching her stomach she gave in to the transformation, but not before opening her eyes and grabbing the mirror image of herself once again. With the tingling in her fingers, the small light was again all she had to light her way through the endless hall of fissures and cracks. Finding the one she had just come from she went further down the hall. Figuring the one she needed would be right next to the first one, she made her way through the crack.

Finding herself in a bedroom she could only guess it was hers. Looking around the room it was well accommodated. With a day bed to save space, a dresser, vanity, and a wall mounted mirror, there was plenty of room for her to move around the small area. As she glanced at all the nick knack's, from little trolls hanging on her mirror, to picture frames with unfamiliar people decorating her dresser, she realized none of this looks familiar. She must've lived at home at this point in time. Grabbing her hand bag from off the mirror, she opened her bedroom door and made her way into the living room, where an older lady sat on a small sofa crocheting.

"Good morning." She said, not looking away from her project at hand.

"Morning." Alice replied. She didn't feel comfortable calling this woman mother because she could not be sure she was her mother. She was surprised she had no memory of this lady or her activities.

Heading to the front door, the woman once again called out.

"Where are you going?"

"Oh, I just thought..., I would go for a walk."

"Are you sure?" the woman replied, looking up from her hobby. "Or are you going to meet up with Mark?"

Looking at her confused, the woman must not have got the hint, Alice had no idea what she was talking about as she continued. "Yes Alice, don't seem so surprised I know. I've been paying attention. Just keep in mind I'm your mother I know everything."

Well that answered that question as to who this lady was. Playing it off, she stated. "Okay, you got me. I won't be out long though, promise."

"Alice, your eighteen now, you can be out as long as you want. Just be sure to use protection that's all." She smiled.

"Mother, seriously!" Opening the door, she smiled at the woman one last time, and headed out.

Making her way down the steps to her apartment she immediately headed for a street sign.

Cree Dr.

Okay, from what she could gather the lady at the Loaf and Jug tomorrow knows who she is, so that being the case the store was close. Best thing she could do was walk around until she found the familiar street Galley Rd.

Heading down the street, she passed a street sign for Seneca. Before turning to head the other way she noticed the street veered around and another one was close enough to check. There it was Galley Rd. At the corner she looked down the street facing left seeing if anything might seem familiar. Looking to the right, still nothing. Taking a chance she headed to the right, maybe the next stop light. It didn't matter if this took all day she was going to make it happen.

As the next stoplight came into view, she could see it was familiar.

Hathaway

Perfect. Heading back to the store she made her way inside. The lady from tomorrow was again behind the counter.

"Morning Alice."

"Good morning Marge."

Smiling the lady stated. "Pfft…I said morning not good morning. So far there's been nothing good about it."

Looking through her purse she shifted around for her wallet trying to keep the conversation as well. "Oh really, why not?"

"Well." The bigger lady leaned toward the front of the counter. "Henry was here a little while ago, and of course, he couldn't find anyone to cover tomorrows afternoon shift so guess who gets to be here? Ain't that about a bitch, that was supposed to be my day off to."

That explains why she was here tomorrow. Finding her wallet she looked at the contents. She had five dollars to her name. It was time to make use of it.

Looking up from her bag, she smiled. "That sucks Marge, but that's okay I will come see you tomorrow afternoon."

"Ah, you're such a sweet heart Alice."

"Thank you. Although actually I was thinking of playing the lottery today and since the drawings tonight, you just gave me another reason to visit tomorrow."

"Well that sums it up then." She smiled, making her way to the machine. "Did you want a quick pick or are you picking your own numbers?"

"Actually I thought I would try my luck on my own numbers."

Grabbing a paper from beside her machine, Alice made her way to her and accepted it.

"Here ya go I keep extra by the machine, normally the booth is over there." She said, pointing over by the fountain drinks.

Glancing in the direction Alice saw a small square area designated only for lottery.

"Okay, well can I just fill this out right here?" she asked.

Taking a pen from behind the counter, the older lady handed it to her.

"Of course you can, you are one of my favorite customers after all. Hope you win, I couldn't see it happening to a nicer person than you."

"Awe, thank you." She smiled.

Remembering the numbers for tomorrow, she quickly filled them out. Her heart was racing. She felt like she was cheating, but honestly she didn't care at this point. Graham, that was all that mattered. Trying to make it seem more legit she went ahead and filled out two more of the empty spaces on the card. Handing it back to the lady she quickly paid and made her way out of the store.

"See you tomorrow."

"Alright sweetie, good luck."

Making her way back to her home she figured she would leave her younger body there. She would then head to tomorrow and make sure everything was in order for her big win. The question she had to ask herself was, would younger her know of the proceedings taking place? It might be possible that she did, that could've been why when she came here she was heading in the direction of the store in the first place. Maybe she didn't need to come back and make sure tomorrow went through, after all, she was missing Graham terribly.

To test it out, she decided to just leave and head to her own time. If things went well she should have her money and Graham would be waiting, she was a time traveler so everything else should still play out the same. If not, she could always make another trip to the past and fix it, like she did the picture. With everything set, she quickly made her way to the home she didn't recognize, to get her back to the home that she did. Where her Graham would be waiting.