Mind Over Matter

Prologue

8 years ago.....

"Son, let's try if it really works!" My dad, putting down his gloves, said enthusiastically. "Yeah! Let's do it!" The seven year old me said.

We went inside the rusted, blue machine. Inside was filled with buttons and an old TV turned off. It was amazing. Seeing my dad creating this. Someday, I'll become like him I remember thinking. All my life, I looked up to him.

"Move a little over to the left, Derrick. I'm still working with the size. But for now, let's go for the smaller one first." He said. I nodded.

He started it. His tongue in cheek. He was pressing different buttons at the same time. I noted myself to remember what was he doing.

Finally, the machine roared. "Okay, hold on to your seat." He advised. I swallowed and broke a sweat. And the machine lifted itself. It was still shaky that time, but I know that's one of the things he's gonna fix.

My father maneuvered it around the whole garage to get used to it.

"Okay. I think we're ready to go." He said after a few minutes. "If this doesn't work, all my hardworking are wasted and the garage gate will be busted." He said in a monotone voice. "So that's why hold on."

He made the machine face the gate. He was right. It was really risky to do this. If it didn't work, it was not just the garage gate getting busted, but the two of us too.

He headed straight to the gate and there was a loud boom.

*****

We were like in hyperspace. It almost blinded me. "Here, put this on." He said while staring forward. I put the welding helmet on and sat back in my seat.

I looked sideways and saw myself.

That was what I was doing before! I thought, fascinated and amazed. It's like a memory but on third person's view.

I regretted something when I realized it 8 years later. I should have asked him, Can we go forward into the future?

Can I ask him now? Can I ask him later? No. I shouldn't. Because he's too busy building and rebuilding, that he lost touch with reality, family and me.

*****

Years later, it had fully worked. It was very functional. But the only thing is, he cannot or maybe, should not, mess with the timelines.  He had saw the World War II happening before his eyes. He saw the V-P or V-J Day. Many Americans were cheering and celebrating. He told me that the celebration was unforgettable.

He didn't make me come with him anymore since the first attempt. He only celebrated by going to the past without me.

Then I shall go without him, then.