THE MOMENT
"Hello, Mary," The stranger pulled down his white leather hood and smiled at her. "My name's Sam," he said. Mary was surprised that he was rather handsome with an older, clean-shaven face and a long chestnut pony tail. She didn't recognize him, and was instantly on guard.
"How'd you know my name?" she asked and took a step back at the same time. She relaxed her arm and tightened her grip on the hand-held basket in case she needed to smack him with it. She noticed him when he entered the store, his white cloak made him stand out from the rest of the customers in jeans and shorts.
Mary continued with her shopping but every now and then, she'd catch Sam in the corner of her eyes. Each time she saw him she grew more curious. She never expected him to approach her; but, once he did, Sam smiled at her question and tapped his hand to the front of his cloak.
Mary was confused for a moment as she followed his hand. Then, she realized what he meant and her face flushed red with embarrassment; she was still wearing her name tag from the diner.
"Oh, right," Mary relaxed a little, but not completely. She couldn't remember any moment that he was in front of her to see her tag, and he used her name before she turned around. "So, what can I do for you, Sam? Did you want to order breakfast?" she asked with a smile. It seemed like every moment he stood there she felt more at ease. Something inside her began insisting he was a warm, friendly person. Sam lowered his head and his friendly expression became somber.
"You don't know me, we've never met before," he said. "But, I need to apologize to you," he extended his hand and offered her a handful of rubies. Mary did not know anything about gems or jewelry but at first glance they seemed to be the real thing. The red translucent stones seemed to glow with an almost magical aura. She wanted to take what was offered; but, she managed to hold herself back.
"If you don't know me, why are you apologizing to me?" she asked. Sam shrugged.
"It's complicated," he said. "Suffice to say, I knew one of your past lives; this apology is really for her." Mary took a closer look at Sam. She was 44 and he looked 10 years older at most.
"You're not even old enough to be my dad," she said.
"Eh," Sam shrugged. "I'm about 700 years old; couldn't tell you exactly. I don't keep track anymore."
"Bull," Mary said. "I hope you have a good evening," she said; then, she turned around. Except, when she turned her back to him, Sam was standing in front of her again. He still had his hand extended, offering her the jewels.
"I can prove it," he said. Then, he shook his head. "Well, I guess I can't really prove my age, but I can prove that there's more out there than you think. Maybe that'll open your mind enough to believe me."
"Right," Mary couldn't help but giggle. He was starting to sound like one of her more unhinged regulars. Every week, he was in there talking about the alternate universes he visited the week before. Mary had to give him credit, he always came up with something original. He was harmless and tipped well. "Like alternate universes and dragons and stuff?" she asked.
"Oh, so you do know," Sam smiled.
"Prove it, then," Mary said. Sam nodded and gestured at the shelf of cereal next to them. The colorful boxes were gone and she was staring at a black hole large enough to walk through. Sam went first.
"This way," he said. He stepped into the hole and disappeared. Mary rushed through before she could talk herself out of it. She didn't believe her regular customer, but she always wished he were telling the truth. She could not miss the opportunity to find out.
Mary exited the hole and found herself in an endless amber wheat field beneath a clear blue sky. Sam smiled at her as she took in everything. She could not deny that she was in a grocery store seconds ago.
"This is an alternate Earth?" she asked. Sam nodded. Between feeling the wheat tickle her fingertips and weekly updates about adventuring in other universes, Mary understood that there was more to the universe than she thought. She was willing to accept that Sam had wronged her in a past life; especially if it meant she didn't have to work at the diner anymore.
"Alright," Mary nodded and reached out for the rubies. "So, what exactly are your apologizing for? Did you break my heart?" she asked. She could easily see herself creating a future with the handsome, rugged man that traveled between universes.
"Well..," Sam replied sheepishly as he placed the rubies in her hand. "...after a few hundred years, I felt kind of bad for killing you."