2024-10-09 “End In Sight” by Emma (born 1965)

I was in Merritt-1960’s apartment when Hannah-1962 came in from work. I asked where our Merritt (born in 2000) was.

“He’s over in Emma’s apartment getting her laptop… hoping she doesn’t have a password on it.”

“What’s up?” I said.

“On the train, I told him I wanted to memorize some engineering tables… maximum center load for different kinds of boards.”

“Sounds… fun…”

Hannah laughed. “I told Merritt that if 1880 Will is a building contractor, I could get a real job and get out of being a burlesque dancer.”

I let that sink in and smiled. “Wow. So smart! What did Merritt say?”

Hannah smiled mischievously. “First, he nodded and said nothing. He let the silence hang for a few seconds, then he said, ‘Well, will you still wear your burlesque dresses sometimes?’ It was hysterical how he said it.”

I could imagine, and Hannah went on. “Merritt said he should get a job with Will, too. The sewer thing is not much his thing and he says the people in charge don’t know what they are doing.”

I nodded. “He’s comparing them to 2024 engineering.”

“He’s gonna get Emma’s laptop and Goggle some engineering stuff.”

I laughed. “I think it’s ‘Google.’ I heard him talking about it before.”

“Google… Goggle… something like magic, if you ask me.”

We paused for a moment and sort of settled into the sofa. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Hannah shrugged. “I guess we go back tomorrow. You gonna do anything to prepare?”

I smiled. “I’m gonna help you memorize stuff about wood.”

Hannah smiled and leaned into me gently. “Thanks.”

“And, just ‘cause it’s how things were done in 1984, I’m gonna make sure to have on a bra! Surprise Emma!”

Hannah laughed.