CHAPTER THIRTY Mike
Not all was as I’d remembered. This particular universe that my lovely mother had apparently sent me to had some differences. I had better continue cautiously because I could believe events have happened when they in fact did not.
Cooper must be thinking I’d lost my frikkin mind with the way I reacted to unexpected news.
Here’s what I knew thus far: Hastings was gay in this realm, I was still Jennifer James’ boyfriend, and it sounded like a drunk driver had killed my father, not a person who’d fallen asleep at the wheel of a car and ran a red light.
And that I didn’t drink beer when I was seventeen.
How was I supposed to navigate this life when my brain was full of memories from a life I’d already lived?
I suddenly realized that my mother probably hadn’t thought that alternate universes offered alternate outcomes, alternate choices and decisions.
What if Cooper didn’t want me in this one? Jesus! What if he hadn’t been here?
The calendar on the wall was turned to June just like I’d done when I’d been standing in this room a few hours ago, but somewhere else.
Wrapping my head around the entirety was impossible.
I pinched my skin for the tenth time that day.
Either the pinching was part of the dream or I was actually here, looking like a young adult once again.
I stood and closed my bedroom door all the way, wanting to look at myself in the full-length mirror that hung on the backside of the door.
My hands ran over my stomach to where a scar should have been after having my appendix removed at age twenty-two.
The scar wasn’t there; the skin was smooth and perfect.
My abs were a clearly outlined six pack with jutting obliques that pointed to a full and thick cock.
A cock that in this world had yet to experience sex, but it wanted to.
I could feel the desire warming in my crotch as I thought about being inside Cooper.
Burying my length in his ass or his throat, whichever he’d prefer.
I knew I’d prefer both. The crazy thing was that I didn’t have those nasty thoughts the first time around.
Would I be able to communicate how I felt now that I knew what I wanted from Cooper?
I liked my shaggy blond hair and smooth young face.
I’d forgotten how I’d looked as a youthful, non-stressed, athletic boy.
I was powerful, muscular, and naturally fit thanks to my good genetics.
I felt weird staring at myself and admiring who I was, but I’d forgotten I had been a good looking young man.
In my twenties, I, like many my age, began to notice flaws.
Of course there was the aging, and the aches that hadn’t been there before.
It was natural to dread the passing of time.
I’d been getting closer to thirty in another universe.
What a trick for the beauty business this would be.
Fuck Father Time could be the headline. You can swap realities, baby, and restart life from any age. Just drink the marigold juice.
“Fuckin’ stupid,” I huffed, twisting and checking out my bubble butt from another angle. “Damn,” I whispered. “Not bad, Mikey. Not bad at all.”
“Michael?” A knock on my bedroom door nearly caused me to scream like a girl. “Honey? Are you going out today?” Mom asked through the closed door. “Are you decent?”
“Just a sec, Mom,” I answered, rushing for my gym shorts on the bathroom floor. “Come in,” I yelled, casually strolling out of the bathroom.
“Oh there you are, sweety. Why’d Cooper leave? He mentioned needing a ride to the mall at breakfast.”
“He changed his mind,” I lied, attempting to be wiser about what I said and how I said it. “I can check again if you think I should.”
Mom walked around my room picking up our towels and placing them in the hamper she wished I’d use on occasion. “I thought I’d drive out and visit Dad today. It’s been a minute,” she announced. “You got me thinking about him.”
“Would you like some company?” I asked. “Maybe grab Dad’s favorite Frosty from Wendy’s and then eat them in front of him. You know he’d hate that.”
Mom looked surprised.
“He liked Frosty, right?”
“Yes . . . your father liked Frosty, Michael,” she said, slowly enunciating her words.
You screwed something up, idiot.
“But you dislike going to visit your father,” she pointed out. “And after this morning with your mention of incense and the biscuits and gravy, what is all this about, son?”
I sat on the edge of my bed and smiled. “I want to do better, Mom. I miss Dad and I want to talk with him like you do,” I admitted.
“Are you sure, honey? I appreciate you putting in more effort, but you don’t have to try to fool your mom about the stuff I talk about. Even your father thought it was a bit much at times.”
“Dad and I joked around, Mom, but we didn’t mind all that much,” I confessed. “I sorta like having a goofy mom. You’re unique,” I said. “Even possibly cool. I’d say ahead of the rest.”
“You’re still not getting a car,” she reminded me, giggling.
I loved my mother’s giggle. The feeling of love that flowed to my heart was incredible now that I could hear it again. What a sound she made. Pure, kind, sweet and loving.
“About that, Mom,” I began.
She adjusted the neckline of her blouse in preparation for another one of my begging sessions or another list of reasons why I just had to have a car before I went to college.
“I don’t need a car.”
“Well, you’re right about that, young man, but why the change of heart?” she inquired.
“I’ll be in Pullman for college in three months anyway. Classes are near the fraternity houses if Coop and I get in, so we can walk everywhere,” I said. “I need to save for tuition anyways.”
“We have your college money, son. Dad and I set a nice sum aside and I have some of Dad’s life insurance money for the rest.”
I walked to my desk, pulling the calendar off the wall.
“I have a summer job and will save as much as I can.” I leafed through the months until August came up.
I stared at the small square box that read 30.
My heart sank when I remembered the pain associated with the date.
Mom would have no idea about either of course.
She had no idea she and Cooper would share a death date in another universe.
“I’ve got nearly three months to save. Prices are cheaper in Pullman too,” I added, having decided to go to Washington State with Cooper instead of the University of Washington with Jen.
“Does Jennifer know you’ve decided on WSU?” she asked. Even in this world I sensed she understood my girlfriend was headstrong and determined.
“She’ll deal with it,” I stated, hanging the calendar back on the wall and wondering what Sunday of the month we were actually in. “What’s the date, Mom?” I asked, turning to face her.
“You were the one looking at a calendar, silly,” she pointed out. “It’s the 13th. You have one week of school left and then it’s your dad’s and my twentieth anniversary actually.”
I moved closer to her. “Oh, shit,” I let slip. “Are you okay?” I asked, standing in front of her, a good six inches taller.
“When did you get so big, kiddo?” she asked, trying to dam the reservoir building in her eyes.
“I miss him too, Mom.”
She stared into my eyes for what seemed like an eternity. I wondered if she could see into my mind and knew I wasn’t of this world. But that wouldn’t be possible, would it? But then again, this was my mother.
“You’re different today, honey.” Maybe she had uncovered my secret.
“I can’t seem to put a finger on what it is, but you’ve definitely changed,” she began before grabbing my chin and gently turning my head side to side.
“It’s you and then it’s not you.” She shook her head as if to clear fog from her brain.
“I’m losing my mind,” she added, laughing at herself and dropping her hand to her side. “You’re just a man, is all.”
I reached for her and held her hands. “Are you lonely, Mom?” I asked.
Once again she seemed unprepared for my question. “Michael, honey. Why would you ask such a thing?”
“It’s just us now. I guess I was wondering,” I said, lowering my voice. “I worry about you.”
“Then stop,” she replied, tapping my wrist with a hand she’d freed from my grip. “You’re a boy. These things are not for you to worry about.”
“I could stay home a year or two and work instead,” I offered. “Maybe give us both some more time to heal?”
“Fat chance, kiddo. Your father wouldn’t want that.
I won’t allow it. You are going to college, young man,” she declared.
“I am a resilient woman anyway. Plus,” she began, her eyes lighting up.
“I had my charts read by this new lady, a fabulous spiritualist, and she says my Moon is in a wonderful new phase. Full of health and wisdom.”
“Oh yeah? And what exactly is Miss Koo-Koo for Coco Puffs predicting?” I teased.
“Aww, so there he is,” she joked. “That’s the Michael I know and love. Her name is Druzella and she sees all.”
I couldn’t hide the smirk on my face. I was surprised I wasn’t shitting my pants instead, but things were probably going to get weirder, so why the fuck not roll with it?
“I bet she does,” I agreed, hearing the name for what had to be the first time in this universe.
Maybe not the first time in my former world, but here was the connection I’d wondered about.
Maybe Druzella should check out my moon phase. I sure as fuck had a phase for her.
Mom headed for the door.
“Hey, have you seen my phone by chance?” I asked after her, assuming I had one somewhere around here.
“Nice try, smarty pants,” she replied. “Come home at two in the morning again without permission and we’ll see if you ever see a cell phone.”
“But, Mo . . .”
She cut me off with a raise of her hand. “You might think you’re a man and you might look like one too, but Momma still rules the roost, big boy, even if the rooster left the coop.”
“Okay, that was weird, Mom. But what about texts or calls, I can’t be without my cell phone,” I complained, wondering what type I had in what I assumed was 2013 all over again.
“Mow the grass and straighten out the garage, son. Maybe when I get back from the cemetery I’ll reconsider. Until then, use the landline if you have an emergency.”
I laughed out loud. “You always been this tough?”
Mom pointed at my feet and then gestured her hand up and down my body a couple of times from across the room. “I don’t know who this boy is today, but I’m still the mom. I have to be tough. Now get to it.” And then she twirled around like a version of Stevie Nicks and exited the room.
“Yes you are,” I whispered after her.