Writing Eternity (short story)

Writing Eternity

Jeff was a young man in his mid thirties. At this age he was one of the very few people who enjoyed their life and lived without any apprehension. He was always energetic to start a new day and discover new thing.

Jeff worked at the West Publishers as an editorial assistant. This company was located in the middle of the crowded city center about ten minutes drive from Jeff's apartment, but Jeff preferred to walk to and back from his office, unlike most people who preferred driving to save time. Jeff enjoyed spending his time exploring his surroundings. He believed he has all the time in the world he needed.

Jeff's job was to read the books that people thought were worth publishing. He read them, and approved them before forwarding them to the publishers. He loved his job, after all it was his dream job.

Jeff had always been perfect at everything he does. He had vast information about every thing. You could ask him about history and wars, and he would explain them in such details that made people wonder if he had witness them happen. You could ask him about science, Astronomy, psychology or Mathematics, and he would illustrate them as if he were the scientist himself.

His secret lied in reading.

People were surprised to witness such intelligence. Some wondered if he was an alien? When ever asked, he told them about all the amazing books he have read over time; which must be around tens of thousands if not millions.
But there was one particular book that inspired him the most. Written by Dr Ray Roberts, 'Road to Eternity'. He knew this book like he knew the back of his hand.

He told everyone that this book is what made him the man he is today. He wanted everyone to read it and experience the freedom that he had experienced after discovering it. He believed people were slaves to time and themselves. They didn't have any time to enjoy. They were missing too much and this book would change that.

Yet the only thing that made Jeff depressed was the fact that this book was never published. It was a book that came into his office for confirmation for further publishing. He read it and instantly approved it, but his boss didn't share Jeff's opinion. He found it nothing more than an unacceptable imaginary fiction.

After all the book discussed living for eternity -exactly like its name suggested-, which people thought was impossible. Except the book made it seem possible.

Firstly the book explained the natural ways to slow down aging. Healthy diet, peaceful life, loving family and joyful moods.

Later the book discussed the artificial ways to live forever . It conferred memory editing and mind updating. The book explained how the brain controlled everything a human body does, in addition to growth. If we could stop the brain from sending growth signals to the body, we could stay healthy and young forever. In this process the brain cells were replaced with younger ones every once in a while, and updated in a way that growth signals were not sent anymore . This way the brain would never age, and the body won't either.

"If any human or living thing can obtain this... he can obtain eternity." Said Dr Roberts in his book.

Except the people never got to experience this wonder. After the book was disqualified, Jeff tried to convince his boss to give the book another try. Later Jeff discovered that the book was taken to the labs by the CIA and the government to discover this possibility.

Jeff hoped that after realizing it all makes sense they would permit them to publish it and people would finally read it, but unfortunately this book was never mentioned again. He was glad he had saved a copy before it was eliminated.

That weekend Jeff visited his hometown to celebrate his birthday with his family. His hometown was about 400 miles from the city he resided. When he arrived he knocked the familiar oak door. An old lady in her 80s opened it wide. She was grey-haired and wrinkly. She walked towards Jeff supporting herself on a wooden cane.

"Welcome again." She said hugging Jeff.

"My dear Lillian, you are just as beautiful as the last time I saw you." Jeff said hugging her back.

The woman smiled warmly "Well unlike you my dear great grand father, Jeffery Roberts, I'm growing old." She chuckled. "Happy 166th birthday."