Hourglass

September 9, 1999

Hey, I'm Opal and the story I'm about to tell you is absolutely ridiculous, but true.

On the day of my 22nd birthday, I was given a gift. No, it wasn't a cute new necklace, or a gift certificate to Contempo Casuals, I was given...Time. Well, actually it's an hourglass bestowed upon me by Ivelisse, a goddess chosen by Khronos, God of Time...and destruction, I sound crazy but hear me out...It all started September 9th, 1999.

I laid in my bed fighting sleep, I roll over to see my clock glaring at me..."Ugh 11:34?". I sit up & rub my eyes. I turn 22 at midnight, and I hate my birthday. I never enjoyed the attention, what do you even do when people sing you happy birthday?! My dad calls me at midnight every September 9th. He sings the same song, tells me he loves me, and then we reminisce about Mom. She disappeared on my 3rd birthday, left in the middle of the night and never came back. She was only 22, so I want to get this birthday over as painlessly as possible.

My phone rings, the caller ID shows "Dennis Turner", I clear my throat and pick up the phone...

"Hey da-"...

"EVERY DAY IS SOMEBODIES BIRTHDAY! TAKE A LOOK AROUND AND YOU'LL SEE WHO! TODAY IS OPAL'S BIRTHDAY SO THAT SOMEBODY IS YOU!!"

I let out a chuckle, "Thanks daddy, you know you can call me when you wake up, right?"

He blows a raspberry into the receiver, "You know I can't sleep without singing my Opie her birthday song. How you feelin?"

"Haha ew dad, I hope you wipe off the phone before Ruby uses it to talk to Brian all night! But I'm ok, I think Maya is planning a surprise party for me. Ugh..."

He laughs softly and asks, "She knows you hate surprises, right?" I can hear the rustling of his shirt as he wipes the receiver. I know he's trying his best to make this day easier for me, probably for him too, but I can't feign enthusiasm at this hour.

"Oh, she knows! I'm convinced my best friend hates me...But I have an 8am class, so I'm gonna try and get some rest, I love you daddy, thank you for everything" a yawn squeezing the words from my chest.

"Ok sweetheart, get some sleep, I'll see you this weekend, Love you kiddo."

"Love you the most dad, g'night".

I rest the phone back in the cradle and toss my sheets aside and shuffle my way to the bathroom, Maya is sleeping at her boyfriend's, so I have the apartment to myself. I flick on the bathroom light and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, "holy sh-...I don't know about you, but I am NOT feeling 22". I smooth my hair back, rinse my face and brush my teeth. I haven't been sleeping well and it's starting to show. I've been having such vivid dreams; I just wish I knew what they meant. Wildflowers, a giant castle in the sky, ghosts?! I swear I don't do drugs.

I crawl back into bed & let out an exasperated sigh. I stare at the ceiling, watching headlights pass. The sky opens & the shadows of tiny droplets race down my wall. I start to count them like sheep, one...two...three... my eyelids grow heavy as I finally succumb to sleep. 12:01am.

Thunder rattles my nightstand & startles me, my clock radio searches for a signal, the time reads "99:99"...a voice beckons in the distance, "OPAL. Open your eye my child."

My bed falls from beneath me. I am suspended in space, cradled in a bed of stars. I'm not afraid, hell, I don't even know if I'm awake. I part my lips to speak when a supernova explodes, galaxies collide before me, planets form, stars and meteors swirl around me. I reach my hand out and let stardust slip through my fingers. A voice in the darkness welcomes me, "Opal the Chosen, welcome to The Hall of Existence".

Stardust begins to settle, as a blinding light pulls me forward. "Don't be afraid my child, come to me". Crystal walls construct themselves all around, a sprawling palace dripping in Amethyst, Rose Quartz and iridescent Selenite towers, glowing in hues of pink and purple. A chandelier hangs above me, my jaw hangs loose as I realize it's the milky way. An altar appears where a gold throne gleams & an ethereal being glows. Half in shock, I sheepishly make my way towards the light. The being extends a hand towards me. I take it in mine & she speaks to me.