Epilogue

Albert could tell by now that there was something dramatically different about the Josh he knew from his experience with Max, and the Josh he had come to know in this time. Oh, he was the same kind and understanding person Albert knew, but there was something different. He seemed distant, as if always lost in thought. It had been over a year since their first lunch together, and they had kept up the monthly ritual of meeting at the Tele Port and having lunch together ever since.

“So, how’s Marina doing?” Albert asked finally, breaking the silence.

“She’s doing great; she really enjoys that new granddaughter, LitaMarina. I should be on my way out to Oceanus to be with her and the kids next week.” Josh answered delighted to be distracted by conversation.

“How long will you be gone, then?”

“Well since it takes five and a half months to get there, I would like to spend a year there, help them with the move, and then come back. I suppose I will be gone for two years. The good news is that Marina will be coming back with me. I’m excited that she is coming home for good this time. How’s Salina doing?”

“She is lovely, and really knows her way around. It’s a joy to be in her company.”

“You ever gonna marry that girl?” asked Josh matter-of-factly.

“I believe I will.” Albert replied grinning big but then his smile faded as he noticed Josh getting the distant look back in his eyes, “You haven’t touched your Kishke,” Albert said as he took long a sip from his orlemonado.

“I’m not feeling hungry,” Josh replied rather melancholy.

Albert grinned and said, “You should’ve stepped through the Juv like I did…”

Josh wasn’t listening. “Uncle Albert?” Josh paused for a moment as if weighing his next words for proper effect.

Albert recognized the tone and the look. “Yes Josh.” his look of amusement then changed to concern, “Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind?”

“Do you remember the story I told you of the time I spent in the time-warp bubble with Michael Martin?”

“I do.”

“He talked about how he had evolved.”

“Yes and you talked about how he was insane.”

“But that was in an alternate timeline, maybe if he had followed the correct timeline he wouldn’t have been turned insane by the altered time.”

“He was the one that altered the timeline, though. You said it yourself.”

“I think he may have actually been on to something, but in his pursuit of it, he accidentally split his personality, and that made him crazy.”

“What are you trying to say Josh; that you wish to pursue this evolution theory you heard from a madman?”

“Perhaps, but I think he just went about it in the wrong way, besides, I’m not sure I would have to go far. You see…” Josh paused for a moment, and then placed his drink glass on the other side of the table, “He changed me somehow, when I drew his energy from him—he gave me something.”

Josh raised his arm off the table and held his hand out as if he was holding a cup. He then looked at Albert and motioned for him to look at his glass on the other side of the table. In an instant there was a quick flash of blue light and the glass vanished from the other side of the table and appeared in Josh’s hand.

He took a drink, “Mmmm. It’s still cold.”

Albert’s eyes widened like saucers, “What do you think this means?”

Josh couldn’t really think of much to say, “I don’t know, but do you think we could explore this together?”

Albert smiled, “Ok, I suppose we could keep each other sane, or at least if we go crazy we could keep each other company. Where ever we may end up.”

Josh just smiled and took another sip.

If you liked this story, check out my other story at Amazon.com. Just click on the link below:

The Colony: The story of my life in our Martian Colony

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