NINE TIME MACHINES: Do you want to undo your entire life on planet earth?

CHAPTER 18

As usual the bus takes forever to come. There's a woman in her seventies standing at the front of the line in a black beret who reminds me of my mother's sister. I never refer to her as my aunt because that seems too personal, and I think it's probably best to keep a wedge between me and the woman who stole my castle. She turns and smiles at me. I look away in disgust. Poor woman. She's paying for someone else's sins; but she doesn't seem to mind. Besides, her smile gets a chance to stretch when Hazel-the-Friendly gives her some current.

"Are you girls heading to the beach?"

Not unless you think we're here to see you. Yes, we're heading to the goddamn beach. Gosh!

"Yes," Hazel confirms, in a warm tone that encourages conversation. "It's been a while for me but Mary's a regular."

Jesus Christ! Just when I thought I could stand here invisible. Hazel nudges me to get in on the chat; but I'm far too distracted by my prejudice to be pulled into chipper conversation. Besides, why should I, when these two badly-dressed women seem to be hitting it off just fine?

"For me too."

"Well, at least you're getting some in today."

"Who me? No. I live down this side. Almost forty years."

"Whew! That's a lot of sea-bathing."

"In my youth, maybe. After a few years, you get bored."

Now I know for sure that I hate this woman. Living so close to the beach and ignoring it is a mortal sin. This makes it even easier to ignore her.

"Oh, well." Hazel steps on the brake pedal when she sees my face. "Hope you get some in soon."

Just then the buzzer goes off at the information desk. Saved by the bell. Yes! There is a God!

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," she begins; then pauses as if trying to verify her own information. "Due to mechanical failure, the Stocatta bus has been delayed and won't get here until three. The Cave Beach bus is also unavailable. We do apologize for any inconvenience."

Hazel flashes a wary look at me. I know what she's thinking, that I'm already having a bad week now this happens.

"Don't worry, we'll come back tomorrow," she tries to reassure me. "It'll be ready by then."

"Can't be sure of that." The black beret drops in her two cents. "You girls are lucky you don't live down this side. I've got to wait until they fix it or call my brother for a ride home."

I turn away; anger this close to bullying my tears.

"Nothing in this rotten place ever works," I say beneath my breath.

"What's that?" Hazel asks, inching closer to me with her mannish-looking body.

"Nothing! Let's just go home."