Looking Backward from the Tricentennial

Chapter Forty-One

"That's so sad about Reverend Shaver," Idabee said, standing in Julian's bedroom door. He turned to see her mournful look, hands clutched right over left against her denim skirt, elbows tight against her muted green blouse. She met his eyes and admitted, "I was really looking forward to meeting him today."

"I'm sure he would have liked that," Julian said, rising to greet her. Ray had swung into action as soon as the nonagenarian had fallen, alerting paramedics to his physical location. When they reached him, the reverend was beyond revival.

The pair embraced; unlike her grandmother hours earlier, Idabee made no attempt to kiss him. Instead, Julian felt her arms weighing him, gauging the amount of comfort he might need, and he exhaled the accumulated tensions of the morning. He held her, grateful for everything she'd taught him, shared with him, explained to him. Their breathing slowed until they only existed in each other's arms.

When she released him, Idabee's gaze evaluated him. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, thank you," Julian said. "I'm glad I had a chance to meet him, and glad that he's going to help me in the past when I remind him of his childhood backgammon set." From the hall, the parlor emitted a single musical note, summoning their attention. The first guest had arrived. "I hope Polly has a good plan to take advantage of it."

"Well, let's find out," she said, and led the way.

Delroy was waiting on the couch, and chuckled as he saw six red indicator lights appear in quick succession—Edith, Ray, and Stella followed them into the parlor. "Lot of fuss over something we'll never know if it worked," he announced to the room. "But I have faith in Julian."

Julian took the other end of the couch, with Idabee snagging the chair beside him. Edith, not to be outdone, made herself comfortable in between the two men. Ray and Stella sat across from them on the loveseat, knees touching unobtrusively.

The sixth light turned out to be Professor Carlton, appearing next to Idabee with his hands pressed together in greeting. Idabee offered up a general introduction, then looked puzzled by Delroy's gleaming grin. "Sid's an old-school organizer," Delroy said, using the professor's given name. "He was one of the First Hundred back in the 2024 campaign."

Stella leaned forward to speak. "Until last week, I had no idea the American Union started that far back," she said. "Some historian, huh?"

"We filed the paperwork September 11, 2023," Delroy explained.

Idabee gasped. "That's my birthday!" She cast an adoring look at Julian.

Carlton cleared his throat. "It's the birthday of satyagraha, in 1906."

Delroy cackled. "I'm sure that's the real reason," he offered graciously. Another tone sounded. Heads shifted to watch Charlotte Grayson flicker into the chair next to Delroy. She was dressed casually, silver hair cascading to her shoulders, and promptly waved to all the faces staring at her.

"You created those alternate histories?" Stella asked her with awe.

"Julian does most of the work," Charlotte replied. "All I'm going to do is kick him backward in time." She made a flicking motion with her fingers at him. "Again."

"It's so exciting," Stella said, slipping her fingers into Ray's hand. "Not that I'm trying to get rid of you, Julian, but I can't wait to read the journal after you leave. I've already started outlining the book I'll write. What do you think of this title: Whispers Across Worlds?" She smiled enthusiastically.

"What about Warnings Across Worlds?" Charlotte suggested. "Julian says my husband, Anton, was killed in the civil war."

"When did I say that?" Julian wondered. Charlotte produced an envelope, robin's-egg blue. "Okay," he announced to the room, "if anyone else has one of those that they haven't told me about, now's the time." Julian cast a suspicious look at Professor Carlton, who held up his hands innocently as everyone laughed.