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

CHAPTER 87

I head straight for the roof as soon as I get home. It's locked. I tug on the padlock hard to make sure. But it doesn't budge. A dull pain pulsates in my head. I hold it with both hands and slump to the floor near tears.

"Mother, I need you," I say in a low even tone at first then start screaming it over and over. As usual, she never shows when I need her to. I stand enraged and tear my clothes off. A big fat zero! That's what I am and have always been to you. I kick my bag and clothes down the steps until we're all standing in the hallway.

"Mother, come! I need you!" I scream again.

My screams incite trampling feet that race back and forth out of control. Then I stop suddenly as if I hear her coming and run into the washroom to check my face, to make sure it's pretty enough.

"Ugly!"

My mind tells me to scrub away at my makeup with dry hands. I yank them back in time.

"Ugly! Ugly! Ugly!" I rush back out then start banging on my own door. "Mary, let me in!"

It takes me a while to realise I am Mary. I dip into my bag for the keys. Now my underwear comes off. I'm as free as a bird. I look at my nakedness in the mirror. Ruby does too but she doesn't squirm the way Pete sometimes had. Pete, sweet Pete! I left him there at the mercy of that witch. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I had read too much into it, blew things out of proportion. Maybe he still loves me. I'm going to call him. Right now, Mary! Call him before she finishes casting her spell over him. I rummage through my bag for the phone. Dammit! Should I charge it first then call? God knows I need to get into a better frame of mind. No! I'll call first then calm down with a nice long bath. That always does it for me. The decision is final. I open Facebook with my fake account and prepare my mind for the call. What am I going to say? What is there to say? That bitch stole you! You're mine! And I want you back! Sounds pretty good to me. Let's do it! But before I can make the call, a picture screams at me to back the hell off; her in a white gown and him in a black suit. Their love sealed with a kiss; forever.