Never Too Late...

fiction

"That's it? That's what you want to go back and change?"

"Yeah. I mean, you set the boundaries pretty tight. I can't change anything that I wasn't directly involved with, so no changing anything with Baby Hitler as I wasn't around Baby Hitler. No handing Fred a condom as I, thankfully, was not in the room where that happened."

"Okay, but still, this is not what most people want to do."

"What do most people want to do with their one shot at changing something?"

"Most people go back to tell someone they love them."

"Like?"

"Like a parent or other family member who has passed. They resolve any unsettled issues. It brings them great peace of mind."

"My parents both knew that I loved them and I know that they loved me. Peace of mind handled."

"And you know that as soon as you accomplish what you ask for you are just going to pop right back here with no memory of any of it right?"

"Right. Even more reason to do what I've asked. Telling mom I love her one more time wouldn't change a thing about my life right now. I'm telling you there is no reason for that."

"Most people are trying to right wrongs."

"Exactly what I'm doing."

"If it's not telling a dying relative that they love them or forgive them then it's often telling someone else how they feel."

"Exactly."

"I mean, not like you are asking."

"You are telling me in...wait, how long have you been in the business of granting one do over moment?"

"Ten thousand years."

"Wow. So...ten thousand years?"

"Yes, so maybe listen to me when I make a suggestion for a different choice."

"Ah, but if you are telling me that in ten thousand years nobody has done what I'm doing you don't actually have any idea if it's a good idea or not."

"Well..."

"See? Okay, do whatever it is you do. I'm ready."

"Okay, I give up. You've made your wishes clear. You know what you want to change. You know the moment you want to change it. You know that when you wake up tomorrow you will have forgotten all about finding my bottle and me granting you this wish. However, the changes that your choice will bring will have happened."

"Yep. Got it. Let's go!"

"I do have to admit I've never seen anyone so ready to go, usually there is some nervousness."

"See? I'm telling you. This is the best idea ever. You'll want to start recommending it to people."

"I doubt that. Okay. Close your eyes. Brace yourself, this can be a little disorienting...and..granted."

"....look bitcoin is the money of the future. I'm telling you...."

"Jared?"

"...yeah?"

"Fuck off. Fuck all the way off. Fuck off so far you can't see where you started. And when you think you can't fuck off any further fuck off a little more just to make sure."

She woke up with a deep sigh and a long stretch. Best night's sleep ever.

writing process: it's kind of a fill in the blank story. But I was online earlier today and on a random post someone I used to be friends with and hadn't see in years commented. My first thought when I saw them was about how long it had been since I heard anything about them, then I thought I should have told them to fuck off so much earlier.

Which made me think of time travel stories. Where people always go back and do the kind thing or the thing that brings them peace and reconciliation. What about telling someone to fuck off earlier so you miss out on years of stupid conversations? Like nothing earth shattering, just clearing the table a little earlier. So the genie made an appearance and the first moment that she/I should have said fuck off, happened. (Obviously names have changed and it wasn't bitcoin but it was something equally as douchy, trust.)