Acme Time Travel Incorporated - Volume 1

Margaret stood on her doorstep, looking down the street. She had spent all of her day talking to John. It was truly bizarre. He had not spoken ever in his life before, and now it seemed as if he could not stop. Like a child who has spent three years without speaking a word, and suddenly they are ready. The words just come tumbling out.

It was the same with his movements. He just wanted to keep moving ... to do things. He hadn’t been outside yet, but he had been up and down in the house many times.

It was like today was Christmas Day, and we had given him the presents of speech and movement.

Margaret hadn’t contacted Mary. Margaret did not have a telephone, and neither did Mary’s parents, and Margaret was reluctant to go out and leave John alone. She feared if she took her eyes off him, his newfound capacities would leave him, and she would return to find him immobile and staring vacantly.

But now she stood here, looking down the street. She thought Mary would come shortly, and she waited expectantly. She was trying to think how to tell Mary.

At 4:30 pm she saw Mary in the distance. She heard John making a cup of tea.

“Do you want a cup of tea, mum?” John called through.

“No thanks, love,” she called back. “Maybe soon.”

Mary must have seen her standing by the gate because she started waving to her.

“Hello Mary,” Margaret called out to her. “Isn’t it a lovely afternoon?”

Mary walked up the path and gave Margaret a quick hug. Then she slipped past her into the house.

Mary saw John sitting at the kitchen table. He was holding a mug of tea with both hands, taking a sip. As he put the mug down onto the table, Mary looked at John and held her right hand in front of her own throat, making a downward stroking gesture with her thumb and forefinger. Both she and Margaret used this method to get John to swallow, both for food and drinks.

“Now swallow, John,” she said, “now swallow.”

John looked up at Mary and made a slightly elaborate effort to swallow. He finished with a ‘gulp’ noise.

Looking directly at Mary, John smiled and said “Thank ... thank you Mary ... all gone now.”

He got up out of his chair.

He walked over towards Mary, his face one enormous smile.

Margaret came up and stood behind Mary.

She put her arms lightly around Mary’s waist.

Just in case Mary fell.