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

CHAPTER 82

The next morning, sunlight smiles on my copper walls. Somewhere in my peripheral Ruby is dancing to the beat of her own drum. I reach for her bottle and drop a flake in then raise my eyes to examine the other me. A weak smile kisses my lips. It tells me that I should do better today. And suddenly the words tumble forth from my mind.

"Mary, you can make it," I whisper so Tessa can't hear and laugh. "It's not the best job in the world. But you can use it to climb the ladder. You breathed the ambassador's air everyday this past week. He even called you by name. Do you know how many people's name he doesn't know? Think of that for a moment. Maybe this can be your ticket to Stocatta; the other Karmic Islands, even. If you play your cards right, you can have a brand new life; one where you'll never have to tolerate disrespect again. Now get off this bed and start over!"

My pep talk only lends me enough juice for the duration of my shower. Once I step out and see my face, I shrink back at my own reflection. There are busy footsteps approaching. I hustle to my room and shut the door behind me. Let them see my awful skin from behind. That's all right. As long as our eyes don't clash and I can't witness their scorn, it doesn't matter. Five minutes later, I'm back in my yellow panties and black denim suit. Now it's just to pack on the makeup and roll out. When I'm ready to leave, Ruby makes a big splash to get my attention. Sorry, no kisses for you, lady. I haven't sunk that low on the totem pole. And it's as if she reads my mind. Her fins stop dancing to rock music and simmer down with a rock ballad instead. The transition is so sudden that I spare a few minutes to see what else happens. But instead it is she who downloads her thoughts into my mind. She wants me to understand why she jumps from her bowl. And it's not that she longs for death. Ruby just wants to return to where she belongs.