Never Again

Chapter 3 – The Grandfather Paradox

Hello and welcome to the Rolling Heart Stones live show. First up is a song by Michael Jackson, now in its top five. The DJ played the song, ‘You are Not Alone.

“Oh, I love this song!” Jane exclaimed. She sat dreamily while concentrating on the lyrics of the song. It was almost three in the afternoon, and I suddenly felt nostalgic sitting on this familiar bench under the tree. A lot of things had happened here.

I wasn’t listening to the song. I was busy reading the newspaper the other student left on the table. It was more interesting than listening to Michael Jackson. I would have flipped out if the DJ played ‘Love Me for A Reason’. Even at my age, I was still crazy over that song.

Also, I knew what would happen next. I was sitting opposite her. She excitedly waved to Ed and Albert. Her eyes sparkling and smiling. Ed insisted on treating us as his way of apologizing for what happened in the class a while ago.

Afraid that I might change their future, I agreed to come. I wanted to think this is just another nightmare that I always had every single night. However, if I really traveled back in time, then I must be careful of the possible effect of the grandfather paradox. I really don’t believe in it but the little things I did earlier today have already caused some inconsistencies in our past. I promised to change my future, but I don’t want other people to be miserable because of me.

“Did you wait long?” Ed asked, his eyes were focused on Jane as she shook her head to answer. I couldn’t help sneering as she was all smiling at him. Why didn’t I notice this before? He took the hot mocha coffee and gave it to me. The three of them had Frappuccino. I did not have to look at what they bought. I did not need to turn my head to see who sat beside me. From my peripheral view, Albert sat beside me quietly.

Albert, always a chatter, couldn’t even begin a conversation with me. I knew he was just staring at me.

“Selene, hot coffee? Really?” Jane couldn’t believe me. I sighed as this was one of the little inconsistencies I made. There were supposed to be four Frap, not three.

I understand her reaction. She knew I never drink coffee, but I wish I could tell her that over the years I learned to drink three to four cups of coffee to stay awake.

“Are you not sleeping tonight?” She asked as she sipped her cold coffee.

I just nodded, still looking at the newspaper. The news was getting my interest than Albert.

“What’s interesting about that?” Jane asked me again when she caught me smiling.

I closed the newspaper, folded it neatly, and placed it back to where I found it.

“Nothing,” I wish to answer I smiled because of the news that older cassette tapes’ sales were declining because customers are now buying CD players and Discman. In my future, I will use Spotify to listen to music.

I took a sip of my coffee and moaned with delight. Amused with me, Albert pushed the extra sugar and cream.

“I like it black.” I sneered.

He just nodded and took back the packets. I turned to him and gasped in surprise when he was about to throw it in the trash can.

“Hey!” I said, then snatched the packets from him.

Startled by what I did, he eyed at me curiously. “You said you didn’t want it.”

“I said I like my coffee black not that I didn’t want these. Didn’t you know how much these cost the company?”

“Ah...”

I didn’t let him talk. “For sure you even asked for an extra sugar and cream.” I shook my head. I didn’t mean the 55-year-old me to scold the 18-year-old Albert.

“How did you know?” It was Ed who reacted. He looked at his friend whose face was now red, undecided whether he was angry or he was trying to suppress laughter.

I raised my eyebrows. I pushed the packets to him. “You have two extra sugar and cream. They only give one.” I took a sip of my coffee as Ed laughed at me.

“Why worry? Albert owns the coffee shop, Selene.”

I guess the small amount of liquid I sipped went through the wrong pipe. I choked and I had to cough. I covered my mouth and turned my back to everyone.

Both Jane and Ed laughed outrageously, while Albert couldn’t help himself. He awkwardly pats my back, then massages it. His touch sent tingling sensation to my body, and I hate to admit, it felt good. For a short moment, I longed for him and his kisses, then snapped out of it. My body stiffened.

“I’m okay,” I told him as I raised my right hand to show him to stop because he didn’t seem want to stop touching me. I glared at him when he didn’t. It was his turn to raise both hands. I gave him a sullen glance before I stood up.

“I’m going home, Jane. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I was not sure which version of us I want to see. There’s a part of me that wants to see the younger version of me.

Albert was fast. As I was about to leave he grabbed my hand. I looked at him sternly, making him feel like his hand will burn, so he released me right away.

“What?” I said angrily. I knew I went overboard with my reaction. My heart was telling me he did nothing wrong. Yet.

He put his ‘almost burned’ hand at the back of his neck and showed an apologetic smile. “I don’t know. It’s just I feel like I should take you home.” He said.

I sighed in surrender. This was annoying, but I couldn’t have another inconsistency in time to happen today. I never wanted him again in my life, but that doesn’t mean, I want him to die or get hurt. On that day or should I say later, if he didn’t take me home, he would have been involved in a big accident with Ed. If they didn’t meet us that day, they were hoping to go clubbing.

“Fine! Let’s go.” I said. Just for today.

“Hey!” Ed reacted. He looked at Albert, who was smiling like he won the lottery. I wanted to smack him in the face.

I growled at Ed. “Take Jane home. This man is coming with me.” I sounded like a mother scolding my children. “And no clubbing today!” I reminded them.

“Whoa! Are you some kind of fortune-teller?” Ed burst out laughing.

I shook my head as I waved goodbye to Jane, and started to walk into the parking lot. I was almost near his car when he Albert rushed to my side. He was playing with the car keys in his hand.

“Wow! How did you know where I parked my car?” He asked in surprise as he opened the door for me.

“Your friend just said it, I’m a fortune teller,” I said as I climbed into his Honda Civic car. I inhaled the familiar scent of his car. He always maintained it clean. The only time it got really messy was when we went on a road trip, got lost somewhere rural where nothing but corn field. With no GPS nor cellphone yet, we decided stay for a while. At first, we were just enjoying the view and the sky lit by gazillion stars. Intoxicated by the wine he brought and the romantic mood of the place, it just happened. The passionate kissing led from one thing to another.

I blushed with that memory. Ashamed of my thoughts, I covered my face with my palms.

“Is everything alright?” He asked as he turned on the radio.

Can we go back to the days our love was strong?... Can you tell me how a perfect love goes wrong?... Can somebody tell me how to get things back... The way they use to be?

Is Boyz II Men teasing me? I made a face. I was just glad my palms still cover my face. A gasp escaped my lips when Albert bended over to me. My heart surely skipped a beat. My body stiffened and my eyes widened.

“Seatbelt.” Just one-word explanation, then he pulled the seatbelt across my body, and when it was secured he made an awkward look. “You can relax now, Selene. I’m not doing anything that you won’t like.” He chuckled as he started the car.

It was only a thirty-minute drive from the university to my place, and yet it was like eternity. The only time he talked was when asked where I live, and that’s when I answered.

He stopped the car in front of the address I gave him.

My face lifts with joy as I saw the people that I missed the most.

“Mom? Dad?” I whispered.

They were in our small garden. My dad was harvesting potatoes, while my mom, as beautiful as ever, was chatting with him as she looked excitedly to dad. I could smell mashed potatoes and chicken for dinner.

I immediately took off the seatbelt. As soon as I got out of the car, I run to my parents, forgetting Albert was with me.

“Mom! Dad!” I called.

My father stood as soon as he heard my voice. I couldn’t help hugging them tightly. It has been thirty years since I last saw them.

“Hey!” My mom was laughing as she hugged me back. After a while, she looked at me and wiped my tears. “What happened to you? Are you alright?”

I nodded, still in tears. “I just missed you so much.”

My father burst out laughing. “Right away? You were just gone for a whole day, sweetheart.”

I sniffed. “It felt like an eternity, dad,” I said and hugged him again.

If I was asleep, please don’t wake me up. I was having the most beautiful dream ever.

“Mashed potato and chicken?” I asked in between tears.

My father grinned. “You can even invite your friend to dinner.” He said as he pointed to Albert, who was watching me in my little drama.

He didn’t need any invitation. He came to us and introduced himself.

“Hi, sir.” He extended his hands for a handshake but my father showed his dirty hands. He just nodded in recognition.

As my mother shook his hand, she narrowed her eyes trying to recognize Albert. “You look familiar. Are you a celebrity?”

“Mom,” I frowned at her.

She chuckled, but I knew she won’t just let it go.

“Stay for dinner.” It was my dad. Surely, he will talk non-stop about his potatoes. I used to hate that topic, but now I was excited to hear it one more time.

Albert looked at me, perhaps asking my consent if he could stay over dinner.

I nodded. I had no choice but to held him hostage for a while.