Time Machine, II_challenge

The do over spirit arrives in Natalie's room under a waxing gibbous moon.



"I'm sending you back to a moment in time where you may correct any error."



Natalie is unable to move her limbs, terror climbs from her toes to her chest, but the pain does not waken her. She cannot roll over and pull the covers over her head.



"Go away, I'm not buying any magazines ghost."



The apparition is not lovely, her knotty pine hands touch the smile lines on Natalie's cheek.



"I'm taking you back to two points in your life, you may change the tide of events, like a time machine-"



"What do you think this is, the dream from Christmas Carol?"



"No, trust me," the phantom says.



"I've heard that line before, it never leads to good fortune-"



"It is 1980 and you are in Ballyholme, Ashley Gardens."



"Oh, I know the stone façade of the flat- if only I could reach to shake myself awake, or put my feet on the floor," Natalie says.



"Natalie you are in love, Robby does not know you are M15."







**



Back in the apartment, a slouching bed rests in the guest bedroom. Fireplace ashes need clearing, the penetrating smell of soot consumes the confines. In the kitchen, a fit woman cranks the gas meter with twenty-five pence coins. This pays for the stove and hot water. She opens the window to allow the smell of salty ocean fill her heart. Robby is in the living room with his guitar. His brother Gregory and Shaun Connelly (a rough and tumble punk with piercings and tattoos on his upper body) are speaking with sullen tones. Robby is six foot and lean, not as robust as his brother Gregory, the three of them make up the band Pitcher.



"He was such a fool to listen to his older brother, they should have stuck to punk music not politics, damn god and Ulster."



"So - change what happened?"



"They sent me there with instructions to infiltrate the Blacknecks. I was doing my job."



"Didn't they tell you not to fall in love?"



"Yeah, but they also knew I was incapable of not caring, that and my abilities made me great."



"Seems like you should've known with your code name-"



"Cumaean," Nat sighs remembering the taste of chili-mac dinner that stormy night. "We were poor and the boys thought it exotic compared to potatoes."



"You have the chance to run, to back away, change what happened-"



"No. I locked away my abilities with my past. I still analyze; but I never write down dreams anymore. Going back doesn't change who I am."



"This was your first kill?"



"They planned to bomb Belfast Central Railway Station. The VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device) was already in the trunk. I slashed the tires to stop them, figuring they couldn't substitute another car in time. I called the car location in. Then they borrowed a van, I had to stop them."



"Don't shoot three boys, change the altercation-" the spirit taunts.



"I wouldn't change a thing."



"Sure?"



"Yes I lost a love for Queen and Country, but I saved others, take me from here."



"Then I direct you Natalie to a time you recall well, it is recent history. Again choose to change the course of events, perhaps better your life."



Natalie says, "I don't want to play this game. I have regrets but I've made my road."



"About a year ago, you were betrayed by your fiancé, and made a choice that perhaps was unwise."



"I don't regret the geriatric pregnancy. I am not taking anything back."



"The Doctors warned you, the elevated blood pressure might kill you or cause a stroke."



"One life is not better or more worthy than my life."



"Your other children what will they do as orphans? Will Catholic guilt help?"



"I believe in love, and giving unconditional love, I have great responsibility to my children."



"But-"



"No there is no but, point out all the people who have hurt me, those who lied, cheated me and my children. It doesn't matter, I choose to love, to forgive, every day of my life."



The ghost grows more white and translucent. Her voice is higher in tone as a child's, "Natalie you have chosen to stay on this earth."







**



The doctor removes the disposable gel foam pads and applies gummy candy to the paddle, "hit her again, the foam on the pads is not making a good connection."



The Defibrillation depolarizes a critical mass of her heart muscle. The sound of the force punches the delivery room. Her body bounces, the arrhythmia stops, and normal sinus rhythm returns oxygen to Natalie's cells.



"Welcome back little mother."



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