The World of What If

And all that stuff about parallel worlds. The only parallel world I'd ever heard of was the one with the chalky-faced, half-wit Bizarros in the old Superman comics.

'I don't know what to think. If what you say is fact, everything seems too good to be true. How do I know that you're for real?'

Mom pointed to Laura and Brent. They waved and held up a poster that said, 'We love you Anne.'

That clinched it. 'O.K., I'm convinced. And thrilled, too.' As I said this, I truly meant it.

Mom gave me a hug. 'I'm so glad you're happy now, Anne. And of course, if anything bothers you in the next few days, just change it. Oh, I almost forgot.' She dug in her purse, and came up with an official looking document of some sort. 'This is for you. It's a contract between you and this town. Please read it carefully and sign it.'

I noticed my father had drafted the document, so I'm sure it was airtight legally. I skimmed the words and was about to sign when Mom interrupted.

'Oh yes, one little thing. We've gone to a lot of trouble to please you and we want you to stay forever. Do notice, though, that there's an Escape Clause in your contract. Mr. Carter felt it was only right for us to include one. Starting tomorrow, you have four days to decide whether you'll stay or go back. In such situations,

the usual number is three days, but we gave you one extra day to adjust to the time change.' She patted my hand. 'Please understand that you have until Tuesday, at 11:59 P.M. When the clock hits midnight, you're here forever!'

I skimmed the contract, then quickly signed it. I wondered why she had referred to Dad's double as Mr. Carter, but decided not to ask. What was the difference anyway? Probably their customs were better than those of my former world. After all, that's why I'd transferred here in the first place.

'I'll never leave here. You can be sure of that,' I said, handing her the signed original contract. I kept the copy.

She raised a hand to silence me. 'Should you decide to leave us, you must do so on your own. Only four days. That's the magic number. Remember.'

'Sounds good and fair to me.'

'I almost forgot. Only you, I, and Mr. Carter know about the 'what ifs.' It would be unwise to tell anyone else. Perhaps disastrous.'

Before I could ask her exactly what she meant, I heard a whirring noise and noticed the bus on which I'd arrived moving away under its own power. Oh well, I wouldn't be leaving here anyway, so losing my transportation didn't matter. Out of the corner of my eye - and I have great peripheral vision - I did see something strange. The bus carried one passenger who was grinning and waving good-bye. Maybe it was the purplish mist blurring my vision, but I could have sworn she looked exactly like me. Just like that girl I saw in the cafeteria today! Another double in one day? How many of us were there? Our eyes met, and then she was gone.

I took another quick glance around. Well everything might look the same, but it was going to be wonderfully different. I smiled. 'I know I'm going to love it here, but I'm really tired. Can we go home now, Mom?'

For the first time since our meeting, she seemed puzzled. 'Mom? Oh, you're joking of course. Such a good sense of humor. Your mother's waiting for you at your house, Anne. You got exactly what you wished for, dear.'

I shivered as goosebumps traveled up and down my arms, but I figured it must be the wind. 'I'll go home right away,' I said, but for some reason, my tongue tripped over the words. 'By the way, where is home?'