2024-07-31 “I Had An Idea” by Merritt and Hannah

I HAD AN IDEA by Merritt — had to drop by the office to sign some HR papers about the ever-important break-room usage policy that some lawyer wrote. As I was coming out, I ran into Hannah… Hannah Madison, the intern. “Hey, New Guy… I was just thinking about you.” She stopped right in front of me. “How is Merritt today?” “Good morning.” It was sort of cute that she asked about me that way, so I answered accordingly. “Merritt is good, though he wonders why the break room policy even exists. What’s up?” “Lunch?” I agreed.	I HAD AN IDEA by Hannah—A few weeks ago on July 31, I was working at NYC SysCo, an engineering company that has been located in Manhattan for decades. I had, at the time, been interning there to finish my degree from Syracuse University. A couple days earlier, my boss, Will Roberson, had asked me to find a new employee to have a get-to-know you lunch. I found the guy—Merritt Gray—and the three of us had gone out. Then, on the 31st, I ran into him at the office just at lunch time. He had seemed really nice, and he was as handsome as they come, so I thought I’d extend a little courtesy and see what happened.  “Hey, New Guy… I was just thinking about you.” I walked up to him and stopped.  “How is Merritt today?” I don’t know why I phrased it like that, but he smiled and answered. “Merritt is good, though he wonders why the break room policy even exists. What’s up?” I thought it was cute that he replied in third person, in keeping with the question. “Lunch?”
We went back to the store that sold the sandwiches. The conversation was fairly mundane—my morning client, her Internship with Will Robertson, differences between Georgia and New York.She mentioned that she had been promised a job in Mr. Robertson’s department when her Internship ended at the end of August. I walked with her back to the office, thinking that seemed appropriate, but I didn’t go inside. I had to get across town to my next client. The company pays for Lyft rides for me, so I put in an order for one and waited. As I was waiting, I had the idea—If the time-shift powers that be had been at play with Emma, they probably were at play with me. And that Will Roberston and I took a couple of classes together only to find me working in a firm where he’s one of the division directors—well, it’s not impossible given how many people were at Georgia, but… So the idea is that whatever metaphysics is going on is still going on. We may not know why we are are here, but whatever is behind all this is still making things—or at least influencing things around us. That, somehow, feels a little better.	We went back to the store Will had taken us to, had a nice lunch and good chat. We talked mostly about his morning, my Internship, and what it was like in Georgia, where he was from, compared to New York. He walked me back to the office like a good gentleman. As I went inside I got the idea that I would like to see about getting to know him better. Nice, handsome, smart guys who act like a gentleman are worth checking out. I didn’t know how it would turn out, but I was looking forward to trying.

2024-07-30 “I Can Do This” by Emma

Ain’t it funny how things work sometimes? One thing led to another t’day, and I come home with a real good job. I done already texted @timetravelerjenn1997 Jenn!

So, how it came about was that I thought I’d go to that karaoke pizza restaurant to see if they needed anyone to wash up dishes an’ work in the kitchen. Just as I was about to go in, two girls come out talking loud. 

“We need to hurry if we want to make our audition. Job’s like this don’t come around everyday.”

I decided I’d just see where they were going, since I could always come back to the pizza place. 

So, 2 blocks away, there’s this big building what used to be a department store, ‘cept it closed ‘cause of COVID and nobody going to it. It’s opening new as a place called American Heritage Interactive Theater.

So you go in and there’s all these places ‘round a big souvenir shop in the middle. Thays a Pilgrim village, for instance. An’ Gold Rush Camp. Naturally, the one what caught my eye was Life In The Delta, 1875. They all have more words, and that one said, “Reconstruction Era Life In The Cotton Belt.”

Now, this place ain’t open yet, but I guess everyone there was job hunting, so I was able to go over and have a look. Right in that department store was a shack like mine from 1880. Folk were gathered ‘round this girl at a warshtub.

The man what looked in charge said, “Just ad lib something. Visitors are part of the scene, but you have to keep things moving.”

That girl nodded, then put the warshboard atop the tub. “As y’all can see, we didn’t have much automation.”

My mouth shot off ‘fore I could stop it. “That ain’t how you put the warshboard. It goes down in the tub and lean it back on you so you can scrub hard an’ not tip o’er the tub.”

That girl looked at me, an’ the man in charge looked at me.

“Sorry…” I covered my mouth real fast.”

One fella with an iPad held it up pointing at a picture. “She’s right… Addison has it wrong.”

“Show me.” Addison says.

When she said that, I got shy ‘cause I thought I shoudn’t ‘a’ said anything.

“What’s your name?” Addison asked.

“Emma Knox.”

“Emma, come show me how to do it.”

I smiled and went over.

“You put this end, here, down in the water, see? Then you get your dirty clothes outta a basket like you have it. Warsh the cleanest one’s first on account of you don’t wanna spoil the water right off with the dirty ones.”

I took a shirt out o’ the basket.

“Dunk the shirt down an’ soak it, then you can spread it on the warshboard so as you can rub on the soap, like this… An’ you might have to rub in hard to bad places that mighta got a stain on ‘em”

I did all that as I said it, and the man I took to be in charge said, “She’s got the dialect done to a tee.”

I went on to say, “You can put the soap up here and then you jus’ scrub up the shirt on the warshboard. It ain’t much to think about, but it’s hard work. E’r’thing a sharecropper has to do is hard work, an’ there weren’t much to show for it either.”

Then I looked at Addison. “You wanna take a turn?”

Then the man said, “Brilliant! Get the audience involved! Addison, what do you say?”

Addison looked at me. “Hired. She can be the principal and I’ll play the second if needed.”

I looked at them lookin’ at each other, and I smiled like I understood. I did understand one word. Hired, ‘cept I didn’t know what for.”

The three of them got to talking fast, and saying a lot, then Addison asked me something I didn’t understand at all. “Emma, do you have an agent?”

I shook my head and she said, “Tom, we’ll be right back.”

So turns out Tom is the owner o’ the place and Addison is an actor and is the director o’ what turned out to be a really big theater show. An’ she was representative of what she said was a union of actors, an’ got me in it so that Tom would have to pay me somethin’ called “scale wages.”

I’m gonna make $1225 a week to tell people how it is to be a sharecropper.

Merrit thought somethin’ good would happen, an’ he was right!

2024-07-29 “Second Week Begins” by Merritt

Remember when I first figured out I was in 2024, I thought it was crazy. Then things more or less leveled off. Well, today at work, the crazy came back.

But first, I want to talk about things at home. Emma got her furniture and we put it together yesterday. We had a nice time working together and we were able to smile about my thinking she was trying to get cozy with me. We agreed that it was understandable and that we’d have to be mindful of ourselves, so that was good. 

She’s got money concerns, naturally. She’ll start looking for work right away, and I have a feeling something will come up. I’m sort of counting on the metaphysics of the time-shift to kick in and hoping for something good.

Now, back to the crazy thing at work. I was at my desk which is in a cubicle, except they call it my pod. I think that’s just something my company does.

It was coming up on lunch time when I noticed one of the Senior Engineers, Will Robertson and his intern, Hannah Madison—I learned their names a few minutes after I noticed them—walking toward the elevator.

Hannah saw me look up and said, “Hey, New Guy… lunch time. Mr. Robertson wants to meet you.”

I was shocked. I got up and joined them.

The older man extended his hand. “Will Roberston. Merritt Gray, right?”

I acknowledged that he was right and Hannah introduced herself. She is a senior at Syracuse.

Mr. Robertson pushed the elevator call button, then said, “I saw your name as a new hire. University of Georgia… That’s where I went. Double major in engineering and physics. Graduated 1984. Man, things have changed.”

That was when I remembered being in a class with a guy named Will Roberston. That was when recognized that guy from the statics class in his aged face.

That was when I saw him looking at me oddly. “You seem really familiar to me. I don’t recall reviewing your vita, but I looked at so many, it’s all a blur.”

So, Mr. Robertson is the head of the Re-engineeering Division that goes into old buildings (old materials) and re-engineers them (new materials). Perfect. He’s seen it all!

2024-07-28 “It’s A Start” by Emma

You can see I got my boxes from Amazon. Turns out the mattress has all the air sucked out of it and is rolled up. My granny would never believe a whole bed could come in boxes. I got some pillows, sheets, blankets, and bathroom towels. I got a little desk and a chair for it. All in boxes.

An’ this chair to my left. It came by a different truck and wasn’t in a box.

I’ll say this… everything in 2024 seems like it’s in a hurry and worried about being too big.

I ain’t meaning to complain. I like the microwave fine for heating up things.

Getting a bed delivered in a box is really nice. But it’s all in a big hurry. 

Well, I don’t know if that made a bit o’ sense to you. 

When the boxes got here I was wishing Jenn could be here to see and be part of it. I know she’s okay, ‘cause I can see her on Instagram and we can message. But I do miss her.

An’ I still have Merritt. I guess you know about me falling ‘sleep leaning on him. I ‘member dozing off an’ then I woke a bit enough to know I was leaning on him. I could o’ sat back the other way, but I didn’t.

He said he didn’t mind it, so I guess ever’thing is okay, an’ we talked about how things are between us and having to think things through. Them’s Merritts words about thinking, but I know what he means.

I ain’t saying we are cows, but when you put a bull and a cow in a pen… But cows can’t manage themselves. Just because he’s right there ain’t reason by itself to not think about things.

I need to think about getting work, too. I’ll start out on that tomorrow after I get my room set up. An’ ‘course Merritt's coming right over to help just as soon as he gets done looking at his email for work on his laptop.

‘Much as I like my iPhone, I reckon… I s’pose I need to get a laptop, too. Merritt thought ever’body might like to see all our stories in one place an’ he made an Internet page for that. I put a link to it in my bio. If I get a laptop, I can help keep it up.

Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for reading my story, an’ if you have any advice about me and Merritt, let me know!

2024-07-27 “Dinner Out” by Merritt

I made it through my first week at work, and Emma and I made it through the craziness that was the last couple of days, so I thought we could go out to a nice restaurant to eat. She was concerned about not knowing manners, but I said to just keep your hands in your lap with your napkin and watch me—as if I know everything about manners.

This was no 5-star place, but it wasn’t a franchise and it did have cloth napkins. It was really nice.

It seemed strange for us to be out without Jenn. To be honest, it was very strange.

We both opted for water, not for the price, but just because. So, “mood altering substances” were in no way involved.

Nevertheless, throughout the dinner, our mood picked up. There was a piano player doing up tempo jazz, and that was nice. There was an energy in the room, and the food was way beyond adequate. 

So it started off strange because we missed Jenn. Then it got stranger because we were having such a good time despite her not being there. 

Far from forgotten… but the sting of her needing to take some time away seemed to fade.

I expect that, with just Emma and me together, she and I will need to depend on each other. Having her next door is good, though, because… Well, with three in the apartment, the potential for anything to… go astray was pretty much gone.

We’d already signed the lease before I knew Jenn was going, so it doesn’t matter—and I didn’t tell Emma—that the health department was fine for 2 in a one-bedroom. Even though the plan is to pretty much live in mine, use my kitchen, my TV—Pause: When did TV’s become FLAT? Sorry—She can get my wireless Internet. You’d say WiFi. Basically, it will be that she sleeps and showers in her own place and otherwise, we’ll share the space we already set up.

We will get her a desk and nice chair for her apartment, but she already said there was no need for a sofa. So, that’s the plan.

So, we just finished dinner and went back to the apartments.

Emma changed clothes then came over to my apartment and we worked out getting a movie on. It was an “old” move from 1985 called “Back To The Future.” We thought it was fitting.

And as you can see, Emma is asleep on the sofa. So, let’s continue…

First off, I KNOW Emma will see this, and I’m okay with that. I think I studied Engineering because a lot of it is bound up in more-or-less constants. Gravity points down, for instance.

So, I think I drag the fact that I like things to be clear and exact into areas dealing with people. So, honesty. I’d not want to hide this from her.

I came, tonight, to realize things without Jenn are going to be complicated. With just the two of us sharing space, it will be… complicated is the only word I can think of.

I guess I’m pretty much a regular normal guy. Maybe on the nice side, maybe a little reserved. Okay, maybe a lot reserved by some standards. But, I’m pretty much a regular guy.

We were sitting on opposite corners of the sofa until I went and microwaved popcorn. By the way, there’s a “popcorn” button on the microwave that just automatically times it out. But… 

I came back with the popcorn in a bowl and sat close enough to share. We weren’t hasty with the popcorn, and when we finally finished, I just put the bowl on the floor.

After a little while, Emma sort of leaned against me. I thought she was being… sweet or… I don’t know, cuddling. That… that is where my regular guy mind immediately went. I was sitting there trying to decide if I liked it… Well, of course I liked it… But I was trying to decide if I wanted to encourage it or not. Maybe five minutes, my mind was a flurry of activity.

Then I realized she was asleep and not being sweet at all. 

Now, to be completely honest, I was relieved. And I was disappointed. Both at once.

So there you have it. Emma’s bed comes tomorrow, so I guess it will be fine for her to sleep on the couch here tonight. I was planning on her having the bed here in this apartment for tonight, but I don’t want to wake her. She looks too peaceful.

But I will cover her with a blanket.

2024-07-27 “A Little Alone” by Emma

By 19, back in1880—a dirt poor sharecropper girl—it woulda been regular for me to have my own place. ‘Cept I’d prolly been married off. So, in part, having this apartment for my own seems regular.

Merritt’s been saying what happened the last two days, so I guess you know about Jenn taking a trip. An’ about my having a bank with money in it enough to pay my rent more ‘an a year, by a month. 

I got real upset about all this for a lot o’ reasons.

When I found out I had so much money, I thought I ought to give it to my 2024 daddy. But what made me sad was I didn’t want to.

My 1880 daddy was, I guess, a good man. I think he did the best he could, an’ I’d hear him tell momma how sorry he was he couldn’t do better. But he was always sad and angry, and after I turned a woman, all he ever thought about was getting me married off. A while back I said Jenn and Merritt were the first people I felt connected to, ever, ‘cept my momma. That goes for my 1880 daddy, too. 

I talked to me 2024 daddy, and it seemed like he was happy enough I ran off. 

So, one thing that made me sad was that I don’t feel connected to him. Not ‘nough to give him the money the time-shift gave me. 

Guess it goes without saying I’m sad ‘cause Jenn left.

So, now it’s just me and Merritt tryin’ to figure out things. 

I ain’t got no… don’t have any furniture yet. Merritt and me found a bed and mattress on Amazon that comes in boxes, an’ they get here tomorrow, but I slept in the bed in the other apartment last night ‘cause Merritt said to. I been over here this morning sitting in the floor and hanging up my clothes in—in my closet.

I’m fixin’ to warsh up and get dressed. I tol’ Merritt I’d like to be with him much as he can stand it an’ make meals for us. He said he’d like that, but we’re gonna go to a restaurant an’ eat for dinner tonight ‘cause he just finished his first week at work and wants to celebrate.

I don’t know what’s gonna happen in the weeks to come, but I gotta get work to pay for my ‘partment. 

Thanks for reading my story. I really appreciate it.

2024-07-26 “And Then There Were Two” by Merritt

A lot has happened since our run-in last night with that… person in the alley.

Jenn was upset by what he said—or didn’t say—and was slow getting up, so Emma and I ended up in the living room. Her iPhone received a text, which is odd because only her father, Jenn, Ailana Geven, and I even know she has an iPhone. The alert was from her bank. Also odd. We didn’t know she had a bank.

It said she needed to download a new version of the banking app. Also odd. She didn’t have an old version. We figured out how to do it and logged in. Beyond belief, she has a lot of money.

Based on what happened to me and Jenn, I took a guess. Her 2024 self had some money from the dish-washing job. The time shift multiplied by 4 or 5 and added a zero.

About that time, there was a knock at the door. It was the apartment manager. He was dodging some movers as they carried a sofa down the hall. It was a fairly long conversation that sums down to this.

He had learned that 3 of us were living here and the health department would not allow that. But the neighbors beside me had to break their lease and he wanted to know if I / we wanted to rent it. Given Emma’s newfound wealth and her hope to get a job, we agreed.

We talked to Jenn about it and she thought it was a good idea, but she wasn’t very enthusiastic. We moved forward as she retreated back into the bedroom. It was a hasty decision, but it made sense.

Emma said she’d still like to spend time in my place and “make meals” for the three of us. I said that sounded great.

We were just getting our heads around the new situation when Jenn came out and said. “I can’t stay here. It’s too much for now. I thought we’d get here and find out why. I don’t want to just sit around waiting on a shadowy figure to show up and explain that we have to wait longer. I need some air.”

She said she was going to take some time and go to the mountains for solitude.

So… In the course of a day, we went from 3 people in 1 apartment to 2 people in 2.

It has been a lot for the 2 of us to take in. But, we’ll make it through together.

Too Much, Need A Break

2024-07-26 “Too Much, Need A Break” by Jenn 

Bridging Worlds is tiring, my friends… time for a stint in solitude. See you in the forest.

First Encounter

2024-07-25 “First Encounter”

Merritt, Jenn, and Emma had, after enjoying a nice dinner prepared by Emma, decided to enjoy the evening. The temperature was in the low 80°s F, and Merritt and Emma were able to convince Jenn that it was pleasant; not hot.

“Should we go toward that park you like?” Jenn asked Emma.

Emma shrugged. “I dunno… I sort of feel like we could go the other way.”

Merritt had the same feeling so he nodded in the direction and started walking. As they came to a section of the street with shops and stores, they all abruptly and simultaneously stopped. As one, they turned and looked down an alley between two sections of buildings.

“We need to go down there,” Jenn said.

Merritt knew she was right.

Emma spoke up. “It’s like when I knew I had to come talk to you back in Omaha.”

Merrit agreed. “Let’s be careful.”

He led the way and when they were nearly to the next street, a door opened and light poured into the alley. A figure stepped out in front of them.

“Don’t be alarmed,” The voice sounded female.

“Too late not t’ be,” Emma replied.

Merritt backed closer to the girls. “You need something?”

The figure wore black boots of some sort, perhaps reminiscent of those worn in equestrian events, gray leggings, and a black hoodie that shadowed the person’s face.

“I need to tell you something.”

Merritt then knew by some means this figure was connected to the time shifts. Jenn and Emma pressed forward, seemingly aware of the same thing.

The figure spoke. “There is a reason you were brought to this time and place. But now is not the time to reveal what it is. The threads of time weave through the nether, so it was… convenient… to assemble you here and now. They will twine back together again, and when they do, your purpose here will be revealed.”

It nodded, turned, and went back to the door from which it had come. As the door closed and the light from within was blocked, Merritt realized there was no door at all; only a bare brick wall.

“Well that cleared up nothing,” Jenn declared, shaking her head. “I’m not happy about this.”

Merritt agreed and Emma seemed to as well.

Out For A Walk

2024-07-25 “Out For A Walk” by Emma 

I was in the apartment looking outside through the window, and got the idea to come out and get some fresh air. Jenn’s busy with some things she’s trying to get done, and Merritt’s at work, naturally, so it’s just me out here.

Back, before I time-shifted, fresh air was about all I knew. Our shack from 1880 kept the rain out, mostly, but let’s just say it was airy. You couldn’t tell much in the summer, but some days in winter, the temperature would get down to freeze water, and you could sure feel the drafts comin’ through the cracks and around the windows.

When we was back in Miami, Merritt said the ‘partment would be small, and I figured it would be better ‘an what I was accustomed to. We both were right, to tell the truth.

I guess that’s why I get the idea to come out and walk around so much. It’s not real bad, but when Merritt’s got the sofa pulled out, it’s a little close getting out of the bedroom and to the bathroom.

I’m adjusting, though. Still, it feels funny traipsing around in my dressing gowns in front of a man. And here’s something I can’t figure out.

He has underwear called boxer briefs, and they look to me to be just like swimming trunks or even shorts. I s’pose they are a little tighter. But they’re supposed to be underwear and when I see him in them, I feel a little embarrassed. Like it was different to be seen in a bikini compared to a dressing gown, even though the dressing gown covers more skin.

I was wondering if this is just something in my mind ‘cause I skipped 144 years into the future, or is it like that for everyone? Does everyone feel different about being seen in their underwear compared to a swimsuit?

Well, I’m sure sorry I keep bringing things like this up, but sharing a little ‘partment with Merritt and Jenn, I keep having to face it, so I guess it’s just on my mind.

Okay, enough of that. I need to get back. I tol’ Jenn and Merritt I’d make a meal for us again. Jenn got some chicken, ‘cept it’s already cut and got no bone, so I’m gonna bread it in flour and milk and fry it.

Thinking About Justice

2024-07-24 “Thinking About Justice” by Emma

I’m down here at that park again. Jenn’s doing some looking around and Merritt’s at work.

I was looking on Instagram and saw a post by @aliana.geven.dreams where she was imagining being a’ elf and fighting for justice, equality, and dignity for all. She asked who’d fight with her.

Now, that got me thinking back to 1880 and my days sharecropping in the Mississippi delta. To ask me, I’d say weren’t none o’ those things, ‘specially for the n… for the black folk. They weren’t called that in 1880, so, I’m working on changing.

I said in a story about the farm next to ours that they was a black girl about my age, and I never even thought to ask her her name. Looking at things now, in 2024, that seem really mean. Just ‘cause my skin and hair were different, I had no place being uppity. Fact is, we grubbed up the same dirt, picked the same bolls, and had life near about the same.

No, to be sure, there weren’t no… wasn’t any justice for poor people, ‘specially black people, back in 1880. Now, to look around, I see life’s different for black folk. But I still see lackings. Anyone can take a look and see the same, if they have a mind to do so.

Is there justice, equality and dignity for all in 2024? I’d have to say there’s more of it, but it sure ain’t even, and I’m just saying about race. A lot can be said about women coming up close to equal, but I don’t think it’s even for women, either.

Well, I guess all that to say, if somebody wants to see things even out, there’s still some work to do. Sure, things come a long way since 1880, but if they can come so far, why not keep on going? I know it ain’t simple, and I know some folk have overcome a lot to rise to high places, but I don’t think the climb is the same for everyone.

So I thought I’d try an’ make an elf picture to be in on Ailana’s thing. I used that thing I used to make the 1880 pictures a while back.

I hope you like it and know it’s not the normal me!

Working It All Out

2024-07-23 “Working It All Out” by Emma

I’m sitting in my bedroom on my bed, as you can see in the picture. Jenn is in the living room reading about different things to do with all the years she skipped. Merritt’s at work. It’s his second day. He said Monday was real fine, an’ ever’body was nice. He says he’s gonna be just fine with the work for now, ‘cause it’s just math and measuring things, so not knowing all the stuff he skipped for 40 years won’t matter.

I wanna say, just to get it out, I was a little worked up yesterday. After all day at the pool together on Sunday, and a nice dinner, something hit me about how much outta place I am. 

It ain’t just skipping 144 years. Say I didn’t do nothing but move from a tenant farm to Brooklyn… Ever’thing is so different. I don’t even s’pose cotton would grow much in Brooklyn on account of the climate being different. 

Anyway, I was saying how everything just sort o’ settle on me yesterday. I teared up for a little while, but I knew that’d amount to nothing good. But I pulled it together. I made a bubble bath, too!

I felt a lot better when Merritt got home with his good story about his work, and we had a fun evening. Jenn and me made a nice meal, then we all went for a walk and ended up at that park where I took the swing picture a few days ago. It was a nice time.

Well, that’s much of a story, but I wanted to tell everybody what was going on.

Me an’ Jenn was talking about the time traveling we did, and we can’t figure out why it happened. We gotta believe something is behind it all, and there’s a reason, but we jus’ can’t work out what it is. Merritt can’t neither.

But we think there’s gotta be something.

Well, that’s about all. 

I have to say one more thing. I showed my picture to Jenn before I posted. She was surprised my pajama top was unbuttoned.

I wudn’t trying to be naughty. I was just changing when I got a mind to tell my story, so I pulled it back on. Jenn says it’s cute and not to worry. 

Tell me if you think I shouldn’t o’ posted it. I’m still trying to learn all this.

Last Day Off

2024-07-21 “Last Day Off” by Merritt 

Tomorrow, I start my first real job. College is a thing of the past. Actually, the distant past. Or not, actually… I graduated a few months ago, from everyone’s perspective. It was 1984 to me. It was 2024 to my family and everyone else. But, what I learned was from 1980s, not 2020s!

I gotta be honest. I’m a little scared. I’ll be in the office tomorrow for more hiring things. Then I go with another guy on Tuesday so he can show me how to do my job. The technology is crazy. My Macbook Pro connect to my iPhone and connects to the office… system, and I fill out forms and… Yeah… I’m a little scared. 1984 had nothing like that!

Jenn and Emma will be holding down the fort back at the apartment. They both plan on looking for work, but we all feel like they need to wait. Like, this time-shift phenomenon is hanging over our heads. There MUST be some reason we all were brought together. 

I guess we’ll figure it out.

We all came to a swimming pool today, here in one of the parks. Catch some sun and relax before the big event tomorrow… 

It’s really a nice day, and it’s great to spend it with Jenn and Emma. I’ll be honest again… I’ll miss hanging out with them tomorrow.

But… I have a job, and that’s a new thing. I suppose it would be scary for anyone, even if they hadn’t skipped 40 years of history.

I’m glad I have Jenn and Emma who understand and who will support me.

Karaoke And Pizza

2024-07-20 “Karaoke And Pizza” by Merritt

I have to start work Monday, so our leisurely days are quickly winding down. I thought it would be fun to go out tonight, so I got @timetravelerjenn1997 Jenn and @emma.knox.1861Emma to take a break from decorating and rearranging things.

“It’s called Karaoke,” I said to them. “When I was… in my own time, I heard of ‘sing-alongs’ and there was even a TV show… Follow the bouncing ball…”

“I know what Karaoke is,” Jenn said. “By the time I shifted time, it was… around. I’ve heard of it.”

Emma just smiled. “I ain’t even heard of pizza until I shifted. This’ll be my first time.”

“Pizza and Karaoke…” I smiled and led the way.

The place was called Little Pizza House. It was a bar of sorts, but it served enough food that a 19 year old could enter.

When we got there, it was amazing. The songs in the “oldies” list were the songs Jenn and I were listening to when we shifted. It was like I heard them as new songs a month ago.

Emma… was pretty much not going to find anything she had ever heard before her shift. But, as she says, she played along.

The pizza was good, though different from what I expected. They were small. And I’ve never seen soda cans so small. “Personal pizza” I understand. But the—as I decided to call it—”why-bother size” Cokes, I don’t get at all.

Jenn was the star of the night. She sang song after song, and she was really good. Emma, if she was worked up as she says, didn’t show it. She enjoyed the food and Cokes, and she caught on to some of the songs Jenn was singing enough to join in on the choruses. Naturally, the words were on the screen.

Walking back to the apartment she said, “Well, that was somethin’ I’ll remember. My first night out for pizza. I liked it.”

“It was pretty good pizza,” Jenn added.

It was, indeed, a great night. Whatever is behind the time shifts—that seems to want us to be together—didn’t do me any disfavors. Being with Emma and Jenn is always pleasant and fun. I think I’m closer to them than I have been to anyone since before college.

So, who knows what’s next, but I’m expecting it to be fun.

Three For Coffee

2024-07-19 “Three For Coffee” by Merritt

Earlier today, Jenn, Emma took a little walk and ended up at a park. While they were gone, I did some laundry and finished setting up my workspace.

When they got back, I suggested we go down the block to the coffee shop, and they agreed, so that’s what we did.

Back to setting up my workspace, though, turns out, I’ll be working from home from time to time, so I had to get my desk situated so that when I’m on camera, it looks slightly less like a guys apartment room. Jenn, last night, helped me with some background ideas.

I think that “working remote,” in 2024 is a big thing. My company gave me a Macbook Pro as an on-boarding bonus and explained that it was standard procedure since 2020 when everything shut down for COVID. I, naturally, “played along” as Emma says.

I did some Google work this morning about COVID and the workplace. I have just one word in mind as response: stunned.

If you had told me back when I graduated in 1984 that I’d be working for a big engineering company, but would do so from my apartment several times each month, depending on what client I was meeting when and where, I would have laughed. No one works from their bedroom, I would have said.

I’ll also just skip over my whole reaction to the coffee scene. Coffee was like a buck per cup, and it came out of a Bunn pot, and… I’ll let it go.

And, I have to admit, the flavors and the whole experience is pretty cool.

Needless to say, Jenn, Emma, and I won’t be strangers to the coffee shop.

Swinging

2024-07-19 “Swinging” by Emma

I guess I ain’t accustomed to being in a city. Our ‘partment is real nice, but this morning, I was just looking out and sort of felt like I need to get some air. So me an’ Jenn went for a walk and come to this neighborhood playground.

That’s when I saw the swings. Something stirred up ‘cause of seeing them.

When I was a little girl, my momma’s pappy came to visit. He said a girl oughta have a swing, and started looking ‘round for something to make one. My daddy said it would come to no good, that I’d wander off from my chores and waste time.

Pappy said, “Listen here, swings been ‘round since them ancient Greeks, and the world ain’t come to a stop yet. My momma had a swing. My sister had a swing. My daughter had a swing. And by golly, my granddaughter is gonna have a swing.”

All he could work out was one rope over a tree branch, and a scrap of fence board for a seat. He had me help bore a hole through it. Daddy took to the idea, too, and helped rig it over the branch.

I think about how hard I had it growing up and then I jumped time 144 years. But, I left a whole county full of little girls no better off than I was, and not all of them had a hard-headed pappy to make a swing for them.

Then, I got to thinking about 2024. Hard times look different now. My time-shifted daddy has a hard life compared to a lot I seen already. An’ Jenn says there are place ‘round here where people have it hard and we oughta steer ‘round those places, ‘cause hard times make some people turn desperate.

So, I asked Jenn if I could come swing a minute. I didn’t try to go high. I just went back and forth enough to get a feel for it and remember a little.

I think it’s funny that thinking about things in the past can make you wonder about things in the future. Like, what’s gonna happen to all the people having a hard life? Like, can I do anything? And what?

Well, me and Jenn are gonna spend a little time here. She said to say we’d hang out here and enjoy being outside. Then, I guess we’ll go back to the ‘partment.

Thanks for reading my little story.

Brooklyn Is Nice

2024-07-18 “Brooklyn Is Nice” by Emma

I was looking out the window and Merritt said, “Hey… turn around.”

He took this picture of me looking back over my shoulder. I turned around more an’ he took the other.

“Merritt! I’m in my new bra! Folk aren’t supposed to see my underwear.”

“You looked really cute,” Merritt said. “I think your Instagram friends will like it, and you’re definitely covered more than in that bikini.”

I s’pose he has a point. He said it was up to me, so I studied on the pictures a minute and decided he was right. They do kinda catch a feel of how things are going.

Me an’ Jenn went for groceries. There’s a lot of little stores you can walk to in Brooklyn.

Jenn and me walked to a store called a girl’s boutique. I got this bra. It ain’t as tight as the one I got before, but it still digs in. I guess girls have t’ get used to it. Truth be told, I kinda hope my… girl parts stay little so I can just wear a t-shirt or tank top without a bra.

I think I talked about bras enough for now.

That boutique also had some pretty things they called camisoles. But they ain’t for under a shirt. They are to be worn as a shirt. But since I knew the name, I bought one—now, I need to say it was Merritt’s money. He says the time-shift musta did the math really bad, ‘cause he’s got a lot more then he ought to have on his plastic money card, so he gave me plenty to get a few things a girl in 2024 would need.

About Merritt’s money… He’s been talking to the people that hired him to do engineering for him. He’s gonna start working Monday across the bridge in Manhattan. 

So, I guess all that to say I’m really happy. I’m looking forward to whatever is gonna happen, and it sure is nice to have people on Instagram reading my stories, asking questions, and giving me advice.

One last thing. While I was writing all these words, Merritt came by and said he was sorry for taking my picture without asking first. I tol’ him it was okay, ‘cause, like he said, I’m covered up more ‘an in a bikini.

I guess that’s all for now.

I’ll write something tomorrow, so keep your eyes open!

Calling Vicksburg

2024-07-17 “Calling Vicksburg” by Emma

Well, we are in New York! Brooklyn, to be exact. Me, Jenn, an’ Merritt and 8 million other folk. I ain’t meet ‘em all, yet.

That was a joke, just in case you thought I was gonna try and meet 8 million people.

So, this morning, me an’ Merritt figured out some things about the 2024 me.

Back on July 4, 1880, I hopped a train to Memphis on account of not wanting to marry a man named Shamus. I fell asleep in the train and woke up in a semi-truck almost to Omaha on July 4, 2024. Me an’ my belongings all time-shifted.

Well, in the picture, I’m talking to my 2024 daddy, and I learned some things. I had to play along a lot. And he got confused by my questions an’ kept saying “Baby, are you OK?”

Daddy is a tenant farmer down Vicksburg way. Momma worked in a nursing home doing basic care stuff. 

Now two years ago, I quit school an’ took a test called the State of Mississippi High School Equivalency Diploma, then I got a job doing up dishes at a casino in Vicksburg to help with the bills.

But, in March, momma got COVID at work and died. When she died, me and Daddy lost health insurance.

After a while, Daddy said, "Honey, you might as well go it on your own. You're welcome to stay here, but that Shane boy down the road—he seems to be about as good as anyone. He's got a good job with the county highway department. Marry him and get on his insurance. I'll be okay on my own."

Now, seems I wudn't fond of Shane, and told Daddy I’d go to Memphis and find a job. He said I only had enough money for bus fair to Walls, an’ I tol’ him I’d hitch hike the rest of the way and find the Salvation Army shelter for a few days. 

While we was talking, it came to me what happened next.

I was real tired when the woman trucker picked me up. "Where are you going?"

"North… wherever you can take me…" I thought it would be somewhere in Memphis.

So now I remember falling asleep in the boxcar, and also falling asleep in the semi truck. I woke up in Omaha, and that gets back to my first post on July 4.

So, I guess I know a little more about how I got here in 2024 according to the 2024 version of me. It's a lot to take in, but I'm glad you are taking it in with me!