With a familiar sinking feeling, I texted him but got no response. Not that day, or the next. I called, and the line went straight to voicemail after one ring, as though his voicemail was full or he was on the line—also signs that I could’ve been blocked. I didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t time to panic, yet. I had to give him a chance to reply in case I was wrong. I didn’t want to appear clingy or paranoid. There was still a chance it could be different.
I was desperate enough that I called on Saturday and again on Sunday, to no avail. I didn’t know what I’d do if he answered, but I had to try. When this had happened before, my feelings had been hurt and I’d waited weeks before going to his place. He hadn’t come home. I couldn’t track him down at work. His lab had tight security and I could never get past reception.
Last time I’d been too proud to ask for help, but I had to change the outcome. I couldn’t let him die, so I did what I’d been too scared to do before. Desperate times called for desperate measures.
Chapter 4
I texted Christopher Monday morning.
“Elizabeth here. Can we meet? It’s important.”
He answered in less than a minute.“Sure. Where? When?”
“After work? The Starbucks around the corner. Six?”
“At six I need food. La Cocina?”
There was one near work.“Sure.”
I arrived almost at the appointed time, only seven minutes late. The casual Mexican restaurant was festive with green and red decorations that matched their flag. In the background, mariachi music played—the atmosphere at odds with my mood. My stomach rumbled as I walked in. I hadn’t eaten well since the second awful date with Brandon. The sense of impending trouble had upset my stomach. Tonight, I was hungry.
They’d seated Christopher already. His laugh reached me first. He was larger than life, with a wide smile, talking to a server. It was hard not to be offended by his cheerful demeanor. The things weighing on my mind were serious.
I slid into the booth across from him.
Ice water, chips and salsa, guacamole, and sour cream sat on the table, so I helped myself.
“To what do I owe this surprise?”
I pointed to my throat and lifted my phone.“Laryngitis. I know this is weird, but can I talk without you judging me? It’s about Brandon.”
I looked up, waiting for his answer. I didn’t know how he’d react.
He frowned before he leaned forward, grabbed a handful of chips, and said, “Brandon’s been acting strange. You know something?”
I nodded. It was about to get worse. I’d thought overnight about what to say, even though it would sound far-fetched. I’d tell the truth, at least some version. When we first met, we’d had a discussion years ago about an old TV show called Quantum Leap with time travel and the possibility had intrigued Christopher.
“Brandon’s in trouble. He ghosted me. Blocked my number. We didn’t fight or break up, if that’s what he said.”
“He said nothing,” said Christopher. “One-word texts. No, ok, later. Mostly no.” His tone was more clipped than usual.
I was relieved. I wouldn’t be giving an opposing point of view.
“He’s dodging my calls, giving me the run-around. Skipped beer night three Thursdays in a row.” He grabbed another handful of chips.
He would notice that.“He’s in trouble, work-related. I’m going to tell you something a little unorthodox to explain how I know. Kinda unbelievable. Please keep an open mind.”I was desperate enough to try the truth with someone who also cared about Brandon’s future.
“I’m intrigued. An opening like that? Now I need to hear. I’ll suspend my disbelief until you’re done. You’re different this week, and I can’t recall the last time you asked to talk to me, so you’ve got my undivided attention.”
“I’m from the future.”
He laughed out loud, the sound attracting glances to our table. My cheeks burned, glad I hadn’t spoken aloud. The last thing I wanted was for others to hear what I’d said. By the time he’d stopped, our server arrived to take our order.
I grit my teeth and tried to look pleasant while I pointed to a chicken burrito.
“Can you please ask for no rice on my burrito?”
After my request and his order, our conversation resumed.
