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Time Machine

June 13, 2022 14 Comments

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The magical device will be just for us. It’ll work simply as pouring water between two glasses.

Sneaking you from the hospital will be the hardest part. I’ll set the dial, let you pull the lever. We’ll start slowly—the moon shrinking across the viewscreen like a dollop of butter in a skillet. Taking the scenic route, we’ll watch icebergs rock toward the poles, bare trees explode with color. We’ll count down the years as we zero in on your backyard. I promise—if you had a tire swing, it will be there. And your feet won’t even reach the ground.

By David Henson

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kevin says

    June 13, 2022 at 7:33 am

    I read this many times before deciding this was about an assisted suicide. I could be wrong ( not for the first time ) but this was a cleverly written piece. Does anyone else have a more interesting idea ?

    Reply
    • Jennifer Lai says

      June 13, 2022 at 9:51 am

      Interesting perspective, Kevin. I didn’t see it (or maybe didn’t want to see it) that way. For me, it represented the last heartfelt moments between two people, the relationship of which is unknown, but I’m not sure it matters.

      Reply
    • Stella says

      June 13, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      I thought that too!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer Lai says

    June 13, 2022 at 9:45 am

    Absolutely love this little gem!

    Reply
  3. Tim Goldstone says

    June 13, 2022 at 9:54 am

    Gorgeous writing, especially “- the moon shrinking across the viewscreen like a dollop of butter in a skillet.”

    Reply
    • Chieh says

      June 16, 2022 at 9:11 pm

      Agreed! This description impressed me the most! I like the part with icebergs and bare trees exploded to patches of colors — as if different parallel universes collide, merge and transform!

      Reply
  4. Cam Petrie says

    June 13, 2022 at 11:43 am

    Nice work!

    Reply
  5. Jim Ginshinan says

    June 13, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    Beautifully done. Quoting a line from a 70s movie, “If it ain’t true, it oughta be.”

    Reply
  6. David Henson says

    June 13, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    Thank you to all who commented. Much appreciated!

    Reply
  7. Liz says

    June 14, 2022 at 11:16 am

    @David Henson, just a heads-up, the link to your page isn’t working: it just takes me to Word Press, not your specific site.
    xx
    Liz

    Reply
    • David Henson says

      June 14, 2022 at 11:42 am

      Thanks for letting me know, Liz.

      Reply
  8. Sally says

    June 15, 2022 at 7:41 am

    I really love this story. It is so intriguing. The way I interpret it is a person in hospital at the end of life. That opportunity to go back and relive those simple pleasures one more time. Beautifully written. Moon description spot on too!

    Reply
  9. S. Webb says

    June 15, 2022 at 9:44 am

    Loved this piece. Made me sad but anticipating the next journey of the couple.

    Reply
  10. David Henson says

    June 15, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    Thanks for commenting Sally and S. Webb. Glad you liked the piece!

    Reply

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