Page 28 of Time Stops With You

Pushing out of the gaming chair, I plot what I’m going to wear for the afternoon’s big event. I decide on a pressed polo with slacks and take a step toward my bedroom.

That’s when a wave of vertigo hits me.

My head spins and I lose all sense of balance. My body falls backwards without any warning. Thankfully, my chair is right behind me or I would have landed on the floor.

The room continues to spin for a long time. I push my head between my legs and I breathe through it, forcing myself not to panic.

Eventually, the vertigo fades.

Testing my legs, I slowly push to my feet.

So far so good, I guess.

At that moment, my phone buzzes with an incoming message.

This is the hospital. Mr. Cullen, we highly urge you to come in and discuss your lab results.

I swipe the notification away and pocket my phone. Pressing my hands against the wall, I make the dangerous journey to my bedroom, glad that I relocated from the first floor to the guest room downstairs.

There are over-the-counter meds in my dresser. I pump out a few in my hands and knock them back with a bottle of water.

I rub my forehead. An ache lingers, but I’m able to stand up again without feeling as weak.

I really could die tomorrow.

Rather than steal my energy, the thought spurs me on.

I better get married to Nardi and set Josiah up for the futurefast.

I call a driver to take me to Josiah’s school. During the drive, I keep my eyes closed and breathe evenly. When he finally slows the vehicle in front of the stately building, I’m good as new.

Just in time too because the entire administration is waiting for me on the lawn.

“Mr. Cullen!” The principal opens my door for me and sticks out a hand.

I stare at it. “Dr. Green.”

She jumps on my hand and pumps. My blood curdles. Schools are full of germs. I doubt she washes her hands after touching every door knob in her school.

Fighting to hide my disgust, I pull my hand back and wipe it against my pants. “You really didn’t have to do all this.”

“Yes, I did.” She beams at me. “I’m just blown away by what you’ve done for us. Blown away. We received a call from the bank this morning. We now have all the funding we need to build a new, state-of-the-art science lab at the south-east end of the property. And I want you to know that we’ve decided to name that building after you. It’s the least we could do.”

“Thank you. Thank you.” I look out over the faces gathered to greet me. “And what about the club I asked you to start?”

“Of course! The advanced programming club. Barbara.” The principal holds out a hand. At once, a mousy assistant places something in her grip.

The principal swipes through the tablet and offers the device to me. I step back, watching from afar. If she thinks I’m going to touch a germ-infested tablet that probably hasn’t been disinfected since it was purchased, she can think again.

“We selected a group of the most talented, promising children from the programming club along with a few bright stars in our programming elective.”

My eyes brighten when she swipes and I see that Josiah’s on that list.

Yes.

I fight to hold back my smile. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to sit in during their sessions. Are they meeting today?”

“No. It was a little too last minute to have them all come together today. Parents need to be notified and all that. I set the time for Thursday. Is that okay?” She peers at my face as if her entire world will crumble if I say no.

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