Another Life

They weren't dreams. They weren't fictional fantasies. They were whispers of another life. Nancy didn't realize these visions didn't happen to other people until she was 10. She'd experienced them all of her 16 years, or at least all that she could remember.

Nancy called her parallel partner Michael. She had only to close her eyes and concentrate to see what was happening in Michael's world, but she had no audio. She didn't know if what she was witnessing was contemporaneous or echoes from the past, but she knew it was real.

Michael was about the same age as her, but she had dark skin and hair, while he was blonde and blue-eyed. Michael was athletic, while Nancy was more of a bookworm.

She enjoyed watching him improve his skills on the basketball court or kick a soccer ball around with friends.

Everything changed one rainy Thursday in October. When Nancy got home from school, she grabbed an apple and headed to her room to finish reading the thriller she had just started. It was an exciting book, but she was sleepy after staying up too late reading, so she closed her eyes to rest a minute.

Michael came into sight without her even trying to summon him. What she saw made her gasp and open her eyes, losing the vision.

Michael had held up a notepad on which three words were written, "Who are you?"

Goosebumps flared on Nancy's arms and legs. Could this message really be for her?

She quickly took a notepad from her backpack and wrote her name and added, "What's your name?"

She closed her eyes. Michael was waving. Then he wrote and held up, "I'm Matthew. Where do you live?"

Nancy thought about how surreal the situation had become and wondered why she hadn't thought of trying to make contact before. She answered, "Portland. I go to Lincoln High School. You?"

He answered, "I'm in Portland too, but I go to Parkrose."

They talked back and forth about their families. They already knew quite a bit about each other, but never had Nancy dreamed that they could... she interrupted her own thoughts to write, "Do you think we should meet?"

She held her breath as she closed her eyes and watched his face light up as he read. He nodded emphatically then put a finger on his chin as he contemplated. He wrote, "First, call me." He included his phone number.

Nancy practically jumped on her phone. When he answered, she was surprised how husky his voice was. She sat, chatting and staring at Matthew for quite a while, knowing he was watching her too since his eyes were closed. They talked about their past visions of each other and their dreams for the future — his to be in the NBA and hers to become a librarian. When she put her hand on her heart, he mimicked her gesture.

Eventually, she saw his eyes pop open. He said, "Mom is calling. How about Elmer's Restaurant, Saturday at 10:00?"

Nancy knew the place. It was about three miles away from her house. It wouldn't take too long on her bike. She'd ride in the rain if need be. She said, "That sounds perfect."

Nancy watched Matthew help his mom peel potatoes. He kept dropping peels on the floor, making her chuckle. She wondered if she had ever done anything embarrassing while he was watching. That got her thinking about how and why they had this strange connection. Perhaps they could sleuth it out on Saturday.

It was very difficult for Nancy to concentrate in school the next day. She wanted so badly to look in on Matthew, who she now viewed as her soulmate.

They decided to keep their meeting a secret for now. They could make up a story of how they met in due time.

Saturday morning was beautiful. The sun was scolding the clouds away. Nancy could barely contain her excitement. She headed out way too early and got there at 9:40.

She told the waitress, "I'm waiting for a friend. May I just have a glass of water for now?"

She sat and tried as inconspicuously as possible to close her eyes. Matthew was waiting for a walk light at the corner of 101st Avenue and Cedar Street, about a block away.

When the light changed, he started walking his bike hurriedly across the road. About halfway across, he closed his eyes. Time started moving in slow motion. He must have seen the terrified look on Nancy's face. He opened his eyes a split second before a red-light runner plowed into him.

Nancy screamed. She said to the everyone in the restaurant, "Sorry, there's been an accident." She held up her phone, as if she just got the news. She took off running, not bothering with her bike and helmet. Traffic was at a standstill at the intersection. Many were standing outside their cars in shock. Nancy ran to Matthew with tears streaming down her face. She thought, Please don't take him from me now.

It was a gruesome scene. Matthew's helmet was no longer on his head. His leg was bent strangely, and he had a small halo of blood. Some good Samaritan was performing CPR. Soon, sirens could be heard approaching.

*

Matthew's dream of making it in the NBA were over, but he did survive. He and Nancy finally met in the hospital after Matthew's several surgeries.

The two eventually discovered that they had been born at that very hospital minutes apart during a huge electrical storm. Had that somehow caused their connection? They would never know. After the accident, they could no longer see each other with their eyes closed. Their plan was to forge a relationship in person.