Dragon's Call & Other Stories of Magic and Mystery

With Me In Paradise

"Wake up, honey, or you're going to be late for work again."

I rolled over in bed and groaned.

"Stacy, you asked me to make sure you didn't oversleep again and here it as, almost 8:00. If you don't log in within the next ten minutes, it's going on your record. Can you afford another pay decrease?"

My grandmother was right, as always. I had been given two warnings. If I logged in late a third time, it would be a mandatory pay cut, which I definitely couldn't afford.

"Fine," I grumbled as I hit the button to raise myself into a sitting position and pulled the keyboard tray over in front of me. The screen on the wall lit up and I saw the time. 7:58. I hurried to hit the login button and took a deep breath only when I saw the green light that meant I had made it to work on time.

"Thanks, Gram, I owe you one," I said and heard her light laugh in response as I got to work. I finished my assigned tasks by 11:00 and debated whether or not to continue on my optional project or take a break for some food. My stomach growled and that answered that question. I logged off and headed to the fridge for something to eat. Some of my friends had put in a food replicator, but that was more than I could afford. I still had to prepare my food with my own two hands like some kind of cave woman. I stared at the scant selection and debated sending out for something, but decided I didn't want to wait that long. Fifteen minutes sounds like a short time, but it's an eternity when you've skipped breakfast yet again.

"Hey, Gram," I called out as I pulled out a yogurt, "why don't you cook for me, anymore. I miss your chicken noodle soup."

"Gee, I don't know," my Gram said with a wry tone to her voice, "maybe because I'm dead."

"You use that excuse a lot, you know," I teased and flopped into the chair by the one window in my efficiency apartment. My place was tiny, just enough room for the essentials, a bed/recliner for sleep and work, a fridge and reheater for food, an alcove with a shower and toilet, and not much else. I only had two luxuries, a second chair for a visitor to use or, more often, as a change of pace from my primary furniture, and a window. I had debated whether or not to pay extra for the window, but I had never regretted it. I was just glad I lived in a small town where the rent was more affordable. I had heard of two or more people sharing an apartment not much bigger than mine. I tried to imagine it and my mind boggled.

Now I looked out over the town and saw that traffic was heavier than usual. There were over two dozen cars out on the roads.

"What's the bustle about down there, Gram?" I asked as I ate my lunch.

"It's a holiday, isn't it?"

"Is it? What's the date, anyway?"

"July 4, 2082," she said promptly.

"Oh, is it? That's a holiday?"

"What are they teaching you kids these days? It's the Fourth of July, nimwit."

I shrugged. "Yeah, that's what you said, July 4, so?"

"The Fourth of July? Independence Day?"

"Oh," the light dawned, "that's ancient history, right? Is that still a holiday?"

"Barely," Gram muttered, "evidently some people still care about the old traditions. I hear there are some companies that still give their employees holidays off."

"Wouldn't that be nice," I said with a laugh. "Speaking of which, my lunch break is about over. I'd better get back to work."

Gram wished me luck and then went off to do whatever it is the dead do when they're not talking to the living. I assumed she had other friends and family to talk to and didn't think much about it.