mbarker | Another Life (500 words)

Over on OddPrompts this week https://moreoddsthanends.home.blog/2020/02/26/week-9-of-odd-prompts/ , my prompt was

The line from “Heroes” by David Bowie: “Though nothing will keep us together, We could steal time, just for one day” Here’s the link to the whole song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXgkuM2NhYI

I looked up the lyrics, and the backstory. Then I admitted that the prompt reminded me of this song:

If I could keep time in a bottle... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1rMeYnOmM

So, toss it all in the back and let it stew a while. And today, this came bubbling up? Let me know what you think, okay?

Another Life (500 words)

by Mike Barker

Bill looked around at the people in the crowd at the sideshow and wondered whose life he would steal tonight. He shook his head. It wasn't supposed to work like that, but that evening long ago, he had done something wrong in the invocation of the prophetic ability. Now, well, he stole lives. Randomly, and no more than one a day, but he was a thief of time. At least, that was how he thought of himself.

As Bill walked through the crowd, he watched. But a woman bumped into him, and he reached out to steady her, almost a reflex. As his hand touched her shoulder, the magic engaged.

Bill watched, as she caught her balance and apologized, then hurried on her way. Now, carried along with her by the magic, he knew her name was Jennifer, and he could hear her thoughts, hear her wondering what Andy wanted to talk to her about tonight. He had sounded so serious on the phone.

So Bill watched, as Andy proposed and Jennifer accepted. He watched as they were married, bought a house, had children, lived a long, full life. He was with her when Andy died in the hospital. He was with her when she laid down in her bed, and took a long, last breath.

Then, as he gripped her shoulder, she looked at him, her eyes wide with fright.

"What? What was... did I just..." Her voice quivered as she tried to put a life lived in the blink of an eye into words.

He smiled at her confusion.

"Yes, Jennifer, you did just see what your life with Andy would be like. If I were you, I would take it, and try not to think too much about this prophecy, just enjoy your life as if this was just a sideshow trick that you could laugh away."

Then he let go of her shoulder.

She looked at him. Then she shivered.

"You? You were with me through it all?"

He shrugged.

"Yes. Beside you all the way."

She blinked. There were tears in her eyes, but also a little smile.

"Oh. Thank you."

As she shook her head, then turned and ran into the crowd, Bill muttered, "And thank you."

Bill always felt better when he lived one of those ordinary lives. So much better than the ones torn apart by violence, or filled with panic, or cut short by accident or illness. He just hoped that the preview of what was coming wouldn't keep her from enjoying it.

He wondered what it would be like, to have a preview of what your life would be like. He had lived through so many other lives, some bad, some amazingly good, and so many, many just ordinary, but he never got a glimpse of his own. That was his curse, and his blessing.

Bill took a deep breath. Well, now that was over for today. Maybe he'd give Annie, the snake lady, a visit. She always had such interesting dreams to talk about.

Maybe he would tell her about Jennifer, Andy, and their three children.

The End