CHAPTER 1
Dancing
"Come on, Lisa, we need to leave in the next few minutes ... youknow how I hate to be late," I say in my somewhat forceful voice.
"Tim, has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?" Lisasays while laughing.
I find it is important to be punctual! If everyone is on time, theneverything is in order. Not sure why Lisa hasn't figured this out.Oh, well, maybe Lisa is right—I do tend to worry.
"Okay, Tim, I'm ready. We don't need to be late for the dance thisevening," Lisa says with a big smile. You know after being marriedfor nine years, Lisa has never lost her quick wit. My wife, themother of our child, and my dance partner. I could not be happier.
"Tim, did the Carlton's say if they were coming to the dance thisevening?" Lisa asks in a pleasant tone.
"I believe they are coming; you know how they like to cut a rug," Isay laughing.
"Well, the last time he asked me to dance, I obliged, and his wife,Debbie, gave me a sort of dirty look," Lisa says in a low tone.
"Don't worry about it; more than likely she forgot to take hermedicine and was having a panic attack," I say.
"Are you serious? Is it safe to be around her?" Lisa asks in a lowbut audible voice.
"I just made up the story; she's just jealous," I say with a smirk anda faint smile.
"Tim, I don't know what I'm going to do," she replies while givingme a slight love punch.
"Well, maybe I'll make it up to you tonight," I say laughing.
"Oh, that makes a difference," Lisa says while giving me anotherlove punch.
"Best be careful or you might damage the goods," I say with amischievous smile.
"Oh, Tim, what am I going to do with you?" my Lisa replies.
"Hi, I'm Cindy Barksman, I'm the official greeter and would liketo welcome you both to the New Year's Eve party," the young ladysays with a perky demeanor.
"Well, Ms. Cindy Barksman, we are the Andrew's: this is Lisa, andmy name is Tim, and it is a true pleasure to be here this evening," Ireply with a smile.
"I'm sure you will have a great time, and again ... welcome to theFriday night social," Cindy says again with a cute smile.
"Now, who does she remind you of?" Lisa says, giving me a bigsmile.
I'm so glad we decided to take dance lessons two years ago. Yeah,we had a good marriage but now we're so connected. I just loveto dance with Lisa. When she spins round and round, it just makeseverything feel right in the world. And, no doubt it has given hera level of self-confidence that makes both of us feel great. Hard tobelieve how dance lessons can bring a marriage alive.
"This is a nice table, is this table alright, dear?" I ask sincerely.
"Oh, this is just wonderful, this is the table I would have selectedtoo," Lisa politely replies.
"Well, just maybe I was reading you," I quickly respond.
"Getting a little deep, sweetie; might want to hold back just alittle ... would you care to dance?" she asks while taking my handand leading me to the dance floor.
"I love an aggressive woman," I seductively answer back.
I love the waltz: one and two and three and four and one and twoand three and four and one and two and three and four and spinand return and one and two and three and four. This is just so muchfun. Dancing is the best. It's like the floor is a musical instrument,and one plays the floor. Dance fever, oh yeah!
CHAPTER 2
Lost
We venture out into the unknown; Lisa is firmly secured to my sideas we slowly pace forward. Not sure where this madness will beginor end. Not really a path we are walking on—sort of like nothingbeside nothing and next to nothing. Not sure where the light sourceis coming from. It looks like it comes from the windows in thedance floor room. Still, the farther we distance ourselves from thewindows, the light remains a visual constant.
There appears to be a glowing form ahead. I guess we shouldgo toward it. At this point, what is there more to do? Lisa isunknowing ... what, no frame of mind! I am not doing that well atthis point! What is that glow ahead? The ambient light around us isdimming. Where are we ... what in the hell is going on ... this isjust great!
"Tim, what is that glowing image up ahead ... Tim, answer me,what is that glowing image? Tim, why are you not answering me,Tim?" Lisa asks.
Time appears to slow down and my legs are getting so heavy and Iam sleepy. "Lisa, Lisa, how are you feeling?" I ask with a sluggishtone.
"Well, I'm feeling a little tired, but that lighted image seems to pullme forward and give me some form of strength," Lisa replies inconfused demeanor.
I turn around and can no longer see the light from the windowsof the dance floor room. What is this strange image that pulls usforward?
"Tim, I'm not sure about this anymore ... I believe we need to goback to the dance, maybe we can get into another door ... let's justgo back, I'm scared!" Lisa says in a persuading tone.
"Lisa, maybe, just maybe the image or the light will ... I don'tknow, will let us ... I don't know. Maybe we should go back," Ireluctantly reply.
We turn and I hear an earth-shattering sound as my body is thrownforward.
CHAPTER 3
Crash
Man, what has happened? My neck, oh, my neck.
"Lisa, Lisa, are you alright? We must have been in a wreck. I thinkI feel blood all over my face. Lisa, Lisa, are you here?" I ask in achoking voice. I hear sirens in the distance as I reach my arm outto hopefully discover Lisa in the car seat beside me. I feel nothing.Lisa has vanished!
"Lisa, Lisa ... Lisa, where in the hell are you?" I call outrepeatedly.
"Sir, sir are you alright?" a stranger calls out.
"My wife, my wife, where is Lisa?" I frantically call out.
"What is your name, can you tell me your name?" the voice callsout.
My name is Tim Andrews, and I can't find my wife Lisa. Can youplease help me find Lisa?" I plead. She is wearing a blue dress.
"Mr. Andrews, you have been in a wreck. Your car has apparentlyflipped over, and the passenger side door is open. The paramedicsare searching for your wife," the strange voice echoes again andagain.
"Okay, let's get him out, and, my God, let's just keep in place forthe time-being," I hear a faint vanishing voice and then darknessfollows.
"We need an airlift if we are going to save this guy, and we needit stat!" the paramedic cries out on his microphone. "Have any ofyou seen his wife? Come on, gang, I know she is out there. Time isrunning out," the paramedic states.
"Jim, we found her ... no vitals ... sorry," a voice comes forthfrom the woods.
"Check the ETA on that helicopter; if he has a glimmer of hope, weneed to transport fast. He's lost a lot of blood and is in shock," theparamedic calls out to his supervisor.
"Jim, it's going to be at least thirty minutes before the copter canget here; they are doing the best they can." The supervisor relaysthe information.
"Both your legs are severed. We have applied pressure above theloss, administered fluids, and there's not much we can do for you,Mr. Andrews. The transport will be here in less than thirty minutes,and we thought you would want to know what is happening. If youhave not made peace with your maker, now would be a good ..." Ihear Jim's faint echoing voice.
"Jim, why in the world did you tell him that?" Hanks states in acondoning voice.
"Hank, if you were in his place, wouldn't you want to grasp thelast minutes of your life?" asks Jim.
"I know, but it is against protocol and ... I know ... let's justforget it," Hanks says in a comforting voice.
Well, old buddy, looks like this is the end. Who would havethought a car wreck would be the obstacle to take me out! After allthe tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, now I am dying as a result of acar wreck in the states. And, Lisa is dead.
CHAPTER 4
Love
It is the perfect love story.
Tim and I met in college. Both of us are engineering majors, andwe are fascinated with construction. I find a career in the privatesector, and Tim is commissioned in the Army. I am proud as I placethe first bars on his uniform. I'm working for an architect and helphandle a few small projects. I'm sure Tim will be a first lieutenantby the end of the year!
Time passes and five years six months and three days after ourglorious marriage, Amelia comes into our lives. A blessing fromGod. The daughter of our dreams is here, strengthening our bond.
Tim is so excited. He made all the furniture for her room, andI decorated. We have the perfect partnership and now have theperfect daughter. I love my life and am so happy.
Twenty-nine, happily married with a wonderful child, and living inFayetteville, NC. I am enjoying living in the downtown. We have atrain track in front of our three-story townhouse. Not everyone cansay that. Amelia really perks up when she hears the train whistle! Ifeel safe here.
Tim is in Afghanistan, the only problem with his military career.This is what we talked about before we decided to wed. I just needto keep telling myself this when I wake up alone at night.
"Amelia, Daddy's coming home today," I say while gentling liftingher from the bed.
Tim's been gone for nine months, and he will happy to see me andhis little Amelia! Just about have the house finished. "Let's see, heshould be here around four; that gives us three hours, Amelia."
CHAPTER 5
Adventure
"Major Andrews, Colonel Smith needs to speak with you," acorporal says while saluting me.
"At ease, Corporal. Tell Colonel Smith I will be right there," Iinstruct.
"Colonel Smith, you wanted to see me, sir," I address and salute.
"At ease, Andrews," the Colonel instructs. "Andrews, I selectedyou to head engineering on a project; a briefing report will behanded over after we land at Bragg. That will be all, Major," theColonel instructs while saluting.
"Thank you, sir," I speak while saluting.
I wonder what kind of project I will be working on. I hope itwill be at Bragg. I have been stationed out of Bragg but alwaysdeployed.
"Major Andrews, I have been instructed to deliver this to you.Corporal Simmons will accompany you to your assignmentheadquarters," the sergeant instructs as he salutes.
"Sir, please follow me," Corporal Simmons instructs.
I have never been to this part of the reservation. Well, I will befinding out soon what this is all about. "Brace yourself, sir," thecorporal instructs. Whoosh ... what in the world is this! Braceyourself, sir," the corporal instructs. "Follow me, sir," the Corporalinstructs.
"This is your office, sir; I will be outside at my desk, sir," theCorporal instructs and salutes. "That will be all, Corporal, I instructwhile saluting.
I sit down at my desk and open the sealed envelope marked "THEEDISON PROJECT."
On this date, April 22, 1917, under the direction of PresidentWoodrow Wilson, the Edison Project is to be implemented.
A war of a greater magnitude than man has experienced at handforeseen. The World powers of Austro-Hungarian Empire, GermanEmpire, Ottoman Empire, and Kingdom of Bulgaria combined toform The Central Powers. All avenues of scientific direction willbe considered. Time travel must be perfected and utilized if needsof dire consequence take place.
Well now, I wasn't expecting anything like this. This is quite someinformation to have on a cover sheet.
Knock. "Sir, I have been instructed to take you to the acceleratorarea," Corporal Simmons instructs.
We walk down a long, well-lit corridor and come to a secured door."Sir, you need to be processed for security clearance; enter throughthe door," Corporal Simmons instructs.
The two security guards open the two swinging doors in perfectharmony.
"Major Andrews, I'm Doctor Jackson. We need to identify yourbody; come this way," the doctor instructs. "Please remove yourclothes, step into the chamber, and close the door behind you. Thiswill be a new experience," he says with a slight smile.
Okay, I'm standing here naked in a tube. Not expecting this when Iwoke up this morning. He's right; this is a strange sensation. I feela strange, tingly feeling, and he is right—this is weird. Feeling justa little lightheaded. My organs—I can feel my organs. Breathing inan out, I can feel my lungs expand and contract. The oxygen in myblood—it's flowing through my body, this is actually feeling great.
"Okay, Major, we're finished. Step out and dress with your newuniform. Your personal articles are in your desk," the doctorinstructs me.
Time to get dressed. Uh, these are different. These are different;this does not look like ... and what is this strange silky material?Oh, well, this has been the strangest afternoon. Okay, all dressedup for ... not sure. Okay, back to my office.
"Major Andrews, please follow me back to your office," CorporalSimmons instructs.
Back in my office, I recover my personal property and open theenvelope again.
The Edison Project will be located at Overhills Estate CampBragg. Camp Bragg is a small, elite military base located nearFayetteville, North Carolina. The facility is 500 miles fromWest Orange New Jersey and 700 miles from Fort Meyers,Florida. Thomas Alva Edison is charged with monthly visits ashe travels between his summer and winter homes. The UnitedStates Government partner in this joint project is the RockefellerCorporation. The Edison project will be built and hiddenunderground on the Rockefeller property which is adjacentto Camp Bragg. Mr. Edison and his family will stay in theRockefeller estate during periodic visits. Progress reports will bepresented on Jekyll Island, Georgia, which is located 350 milessouth of Fort Bragg and 350 miles north of Fort Meyers, Florida.
