
Photo By: Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Nanotechnology meds ensured Ben lived until 2050. The divorcee sank all his savings into one time travel trip to provide a timely distraction.
***
Ben and Jasmine were preparing to welcome the new year of 1930 when their first fight started. Ben was so angry, he prepared a crushing retort, one that would surely end the marriage…and then the phone rang.
“What?” he growled into the phone.
“Happy New Year,” said the ancient, creaky voice.
Taken aback, he said “You too.”
Ben hung up, perplexed and forgetting his angry words. As the countdown reached zero, he kissed his wife, and they never fought again.
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Written for the Friday Fictioneers: https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/01/01/3-january-2020/
Great story! Would that it could always be so.
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Indeed, it is a fantasy. Thanks most kindly! 🙂
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I see a grandfather paradox in the offing
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Oh yeah. But I think Ben doesn’t last much longer after the time trip. After his final act, just another John Doe in the morgue. A good way to go. Thanks much! 🙂
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Or maybe suddenly getting a whole bunch of new grandkids.
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I think that maybe he wouldn’t live to so old if everything changed… but it would be a much better life in the end.
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I actually thought of that too. Kids have a way of shortening lifespans. 😉 But I expect it would b a happier life. Thanks much.
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He also might not have been able to save enough money for the time travel trip had he stayed married. 🙂
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Oh, no way he could have saved that much. Kids are expensive. 😉
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What a unique way to look at time travel. A chance to go back and change one thing in life we regret… I love it.
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This was a great take on the prompt, really inventive. Poor old Ben, he must have regretted those words so many times.
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Yes he did, for a very long time. Thanks so much! 🙂
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I love the fantasy feel of this story! And, I wish it could happen. There would be moments I’d want to revisit or change. Very creative.
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Me too. I’d tell myself to start a blog sooner. 😉 Thanks much!
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Now THAT is time travel put to good use!
Lovely, Eric!
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Right? Technology should improve lives. Thanks Dale!
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It should!
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Dear Eric,
I love a good time travel story. The pragmatist in me wonders what events changed as a result of Ben’s going back to mend the fences. It would make a great longer piece. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Easily a longer story. Probably wouldn’t live as long, but he would’ve been happier. 😉 Thanks Rochelle!
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Wonderful story, Eric. I love the Old Ben making contact with the Young Ben. Took me a second to figure it out:) And I’m going to go find your book 🙂
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Glad you liked it. My book isn’t quite as lighthearted but it still has some amusing moments. Thanks much!
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Interesting and entertaining take on the prompt. You do wonderfully well to convey such a complex train of thought in 100 words!
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Thank you. Yeah, the 100 word challenge is a tough one. It teaches brevity. I think I’m learning a lot from it. 🙂
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I like your story. It is well-told. I also like the concept. Perhaps one day we can revisit moments that we always seem to be able to see clearly in retrospect, and do it differently. I’d have to save up for a long time to revisit all of mine…
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Haha! I would have to save up a lot too. Glad you enjoyed the story. Much thanks! 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I you could go back and change just one thing… nice one!
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For me, I’d have to think hard about which thing to change. There’s so many choices! 😉 Thanks kindly.
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