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

CHAPTER 29

It takes me a while to walk there but the park massages my body with cool breezes that soothe my tiredness. I look around for the perfect bench nestled between two juniper trees. Now there's only one question on my mind. Will 'No Name Yet' be any better than the last? Chapter one starts off very well.

The red walls really made the room look different. But it was the cage with its door ajar that rattled Mrs. Carter's knees. She hoped it would have the same effect on her husband of nine years, because no one in his family had ever gotten divorced. And if theirs was the first marriage to crumble, Sarah knew his sisters would make her more of a pariah than she already was.

But what kind of person sits down at their computer and comes up with a name like 'No Name Yet' for their novel? What had to be happening in Robert Smith's life for him to come up blank for a name? No one can tell me writers' block extends that far. The lion roars in the zoo across the street. Well, guess what, you carnivorous bastard. I wasn't talking to you.

A bird lands on the tree opposite me with a worm in its mouth then feeds its young and flies away again. My eyes follow it until it disappears, right above a young couple snuggled on the ground. I zoom in on them just in time to see him kiss the ring on her index finger. There's a box of chocolates and empty wine glasses on the sheet. Their shoes are strewn on the grass. His is a pair of black suede boots, hers red pumps. I look down at my foot and frown. Why hadn't I bought nicer things when I worked at the bank? Oh, that's right. All that back rent.

The twins were the only thing keeping them together, especially after what had happened with his latest girlfriend. That was why Sarah had this room redone. It was John's favourite space in the house. And she wanted to show him all its possibilities. She wanted to use it to please him in every way; even if it meant organizing a monthly surprise to keep him on edge.

Yes! This damn book is starting to heat up. Daniel Sotina had better watch out.

The brilliant sunlight in the park suddenly goes dim enough to make the couple start gathering their things. Even the bird returns. But this book is going too good to abandon. I sink my teeth into it and start chewing.

The interior decorator walked in and stood next to Mrs. Carter. "How do you like it?"

"It's much better than expected."

"That's what I like to hear. Same time next month then?"

"If it works, it'll be same time every month."

What on earth is going on with this woman? The rain responds by tearing the sky. I'm tempted to find a larger tree then remember this is the library book. Where will I get the money to replace it if it gets wet? Plus, I'm not sure I'll be able to take it if the words get damaged at this stage.

I throw it into my dilapidated handbag and pull on the zipper hard. Then I do a tiptoe run out the park, past the factory and fire station. The confused rain slows down when I hit the apartment building but starts up again with a vengeance when I'm almost in front of the hospital. I run faster on purpose. By the time I reach the hostel's front gate, I'm drenched and my shoes feel funny. I look down at them. They're slightly unstuck. No, dammit! Whose idea was it to run in the rain in your last good pair of shoes? Inhale. Exhale. What now?

An untamed thought says the copper coins beneath my bed should make their debut. But that will never happen on my watch. Can you imagine me trying on fancy shoes then pulling out three dusty bags? And what if someone bumps into me? Then there'll be coins rolling here, there and everywhere. Definitely not! No daughter of a famed daughter should go down like that. I'd rather face those evil bitches on Lillian Street before I leave that disgraceful legacy behind. I know what I'll do. Remind Matron Caine that she represents a charitable organization and tell her my shoes came undone while job-hunting. Well, at least it's partially true. No need to bring Robert Smith or the steamy Mrs. Carter into it.