Page 16 of Something Like Daybreak
“Because we really are older than you,” Eric explained. “Our souls took shape long before yours did. That’s the point of physical existence. We begin as formless potential.”
“A glimmer in the universe’s eye,” Marcello interjected. “You used to write, Ben. It’s similar to that really. You likely began with an idea or even a feeling you wanted to express, but the thought alone isn’t enough. The creator must give form to theirvision, in your case by turning it into a story. And doesn’t that always change things, no matter the concept you began with?”
“Yes,” Ben said. “Stories often take on a life of their own. Because at a certain point, all the dominoes you set up have to fall a certain way.”
“That’s the gift of limitations,” Marcello said. “It provides structure and sequence, resulting in a narrative. We begin as melted ore until the celestial blacksmith hammers us into shape with those rippling arms of his.”
Eric nodded in approval. “We all understand that physical form doesn’t exist here. The house we’re sitting in has no substance. Neither do the shapes we choose to take. They are only possible because we’ve returned from a place where they did. We’re able to recreate them as shared concepts, and that allows us to communicate and interact, when before, we were merely clouds of consciousness drifting around aimlessly.”
“So if you can accept that we exist here in a mere facsimile of physical reality,” Marcello said, “then you only need to draw the same conclusion to understand time.”
“So we can skip to the part where Jace comes back?” Ben asked.
“Are you able to untie a knot that doesn’t exist?” Marcello replied.
“No.”
“Then there is your answer.”
Tim glanced around, relieved that he wasn’t the only one who looked confused.
“Delightfully young!” Marcello said with a chuckle. “I do enjoy your company.”
Ben turned back to the whiteboard, as if trying to find something substantial he could grab on to. “But are we right in thinking that we can live another life, and still be home in time to pick up the kids from school?”
“Yes,” Marcello said. “And it’s entirely possible that, when learning of our endeavor, they might choose to join us in our new lives.”
“But how—” Michelle began to say until Marcello held up his hand.
“If time doesn’t exist here, there can be no paradoxes. They can, at a future date, choose to reincarnate at the appropriate decade in the past.”
“My head hurts,” Greg said. “But I’m willing if you guys are.”
“You’re going to agree without understanding how it works?” Michelle asked him in disbelief.
“What?” Greg replied. “You don’t have to take a college course to start living, because you’re always doing it by default. If not, you’re already dead, which as it turns out, doesn’t take any practice either.”
“He may be the wisest of us all,” Marcello said in approval. “And the handsomest. Although…” He glanced at Tim as if uncertain and then back at Greg again. “Would you both be willing to take off your shirts?”
“Deal,” Greg said, grabbing the hem of his shirt.
“Game on!” Tim replied, reaching for his own.
“Guys!” Ben said, halting them. “As much I as I’d love to see how this plays out, we have an important decision to make. How do the rest of you feel?” He looked specifically at his best friend.
“I’d want to talk to my parents,” Allison said. “Getting to see them again was the best part of dying. I don’t want to lose them again so soon. But if they’ll come with me…” Her chin trembled. “They might like another chance too. I sure would. We could be a real family this time.”
“Come here,” Ben said, but he didn’t wait, rushing over to Allison with open arms as she stood.
“This is what he’s talking about,” Tim said, swallowing against his own emotion as he watched them hug. “We belongtogether. And I’m willing to keep trying until we all get the lives that we deserve.”
“I’d do anything for you,” Brian said, standing and joining Ben in hugging Allison. “And your little dog too.”
“I heard that,” Ben murmured.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Eric said, standing and offering a hand to Marcello, “and second chances.”
“This has group hug written all over it,” Greg said as he stood and took a step forward. He hesitated and looked back at his wife. “What do you say? For my best friend and for your brother.”
