Tabitha and Milt are characters from the award-winning time travel novel, Detours in Time. Why are they such good friends? Follow Tabitha on a typical day and get a dose of what goes on in her mind.
“Tabitha, Tabitha? Have you heard anything I’ve been saying?” Candace raised her voice to be heard, frustrated at her friend who was gazing out the window vacantly.
“Yes, yes. Of course I heard you,” Tabitha replied, a little too insistent.
“Okay, so what’s his name?”
“Um, Walter?” Tabitha offered.
“No. His name is Matt, and you are not listening! If you’re not really interested, just tell me. I don’t want to set up a meeting and have you disappoint him.”
“I guess I’m not really interested,” Tabitha answered.
“It’s been years, Tabitha! You’re thirty and you’re going to turn to dust!”
Tabitha snorted in laughter. “No, I’ve got some time left. Seriously, you exaggerate a bit much.”
“What’s going on with you and the doctor?” Candace asked slyly.
“Dr. Braddock? No, um, nothing. I mean, I have been working with Milt more lately. Instead of just cleaning I’m also helping him organized his office, but nothing has come of it; it’s just work.”
Nothing had come of it, except learning that he was researching quantum physics and how to travel in time. Not that she’d ever tell anyone. When she came clean and told him what she had seen, he begged her to promise not to reveal what she knew. In fact, he confessed that he already discovered the secret to time travel. Tabitha couldn’t deny that they were growing closer. She’d proven herself indispensable when she created a filing system for keeping his lab notes in order. It was obvious he appreciated her. Despite the age difference, she found him intensely interesting. Still, they’d probably always just remain friends.
“We’re just friends, Candace. We work together well, that’s all. I’m really organized; he’s not. He’s totally brilliant; I’m not.” Even in her denial, she couldn’t forget the dream she’d had about kissing him. She shook her head to dispel the thought. “Just friends.”
“You don’t even seem convinced of that. And–I noticed how you call him by his first name!” Candace smiled deviously.
“That doesn’t mean anything, Candace. Stop trying to read my mind. I’m just not, I just don’t need a man right now. Is that all right with you?”
“Okay Tabitha, that’s all you had to say. And don’t knock yourself; you are pretty bright.” She glanced at her watch. “Oops, gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow!” Candace blew a kiss on the air and grabbed her jacket as she jogged out of the cafe.
“Okay, later Candace!” Tabitha had someplace to be as well. Dr. Milt Braddock needed help that evening organizing his tax papers. I could use the extra money, Tabitha reasoned. That’s all this is about.
She strolled out of the cafe slowly, picturing the smile lines around Milt’s eyes. Smiling, she walked into a young couple.
“Sorry!” she called as they laughed and walked on.
“Daydream much?” one of them replied.
I have got to get a grip, she thought.
**Read Detours in Time and learn what Milt and Tabitha discover together in the future. Available in Kindle, K.U., or paperback. Universal link: Detours in Time Amazon link
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