"Your heart rate is registering at dangerous levels, Octavia." Amelia said quickly

Octavia stood still as her son stood before her. She breathed deeper and forced her mind to stop flashing images. Her heart rate slowly became normal again.

"Amelia," She choked out as she cleared her throat, "I didn't think about him and he just popped into the memory."

"It could have happened subconsciously." Amelia stated

"I was just caught off guard. I didn't expect him to pop into the memory like that." Octavia said

"Ya, I couldn't imagine what that must feel like." Amelia sighed

Octavia's eyes stayed on her son. "There are definite distortions in the memory." She said as her son walked by the fire and sat down.

"What kind of distortions?" Amelia asked

Octavia looked at her son, "My son looks different, it is possible that my mind has altered his appearance to how I think he would look 5 years older. He has stubble on his chin and his hair is longer. He looks healthier and stronger too. I have imagined him older and healthier but this isn't that, it's almost as if my mind has mixed all of those thoughts together. Have you noticed any distortions in my brain waves?" Octavia asked

"Your brain waves were off the charts when your son showed up but everything is reading normally now." Amelia said as she looked at one of the several monitors in the lab.

"Wow, this fish is so much better than anything I've been eating lately.." Charlie said with a extended sigh

Octavia was confused by the comment and asked, "Better than anything you've had lately?"

"Come over and sit mom," He said as he motioned at the log next to him.

Octavia looked at him in shock. "Are memories able to interact with us beyond what we've experienced? We may have been wrong about our original hypothesis. Maybe we can change our own memories with our thoughts and hopes."

Amelia furiously scribbled down the notes and made sure all devices were recording these interactions. "If that's possible, maybe we can change some of our pasts." She whispered

Charlie looked at Octavia with happiness. "I'm so glad I got to see you again," He said as he smiled

She stared at him, "Amelia, it is showing me my hopes. I've wanted to see him so badly these past 5 years. My daydreams are taking over the memory." She spoke softly

Charlie reached out and squeezed her hand. "Mom, your technology worked! Your discovery helped the scientists here to find a cure for me. Your technology made it possible!"

"Amelia, I've had enough of this, can you please turn this off?" Tears were falling quickly as she took one last look at her son.

The beautiful scenery all paused and dematerialized before her eyes. And as everything faded to black. "Mom, I…" the voice was cut short.

"Are you okay?" Amelia said as she shook the doctor lightly

"We have some work to do, Amelia." Octavia sighed as a shadow approached.

"Mom." The voice said firmly

Octavia looked at him and it was a 30 somethings guy. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

"I'm your son. I was trying to talk to you earlier but you wouldn't listen." He said with a slight laugh

"You aren't my…" as she spoke his appearance changed to a younger version of himself. She stopped speaking and just stared.

"Your technology worked mom." He said as she lowered her head.

He lifted her head and said, "It wasn't glitching, I thought I would go in just a little older than my freeze date. I've waited so long to talk to you. I was only under for 9 years but  the waiting list to meet you at the Museum of Neuro History was so long…. It took me a year to get here now." He spoke solemnly

Octavia stared at her son without the ability to conjure up any words.

"Your discovery allowed scientists and researchers to study my illness and find a cure." He said happily, "It would have taken them decades to figure it out but because of this… they were able to share their minds and work in labs together but in a dream state. Was it perfect? No but you worked out the flaws and were able to change so much of our world."

"But… but why are you here then and not seeing me now?" Octavia asked

He stood there and his eyes sank with a sadness that could be felt. "You… you died in an explosion. It was a freak accident… it all happened before I woke up."

Octavia sat there, her mind racing.

An alarm began to sound on Charlie's belt and a man with a dark blue shirt with neon streaks appeared next to him.

"You were explicitly told not to tell the doctor about the accident!" The man said, "I don't care if it's your mother or not, it's time to go." He said as he tapped some of neon areas on his wrist

"Mom, your dreams and hopes are coming true… your technology will change our world forever. I love you!" He shouted as he attempted a hug.

He heard his mom whisper out the words, "I love you, Charlie." As everything dissipated and faded fo black.

_____

There are so many things that we wish we could tell all of those who have gone before us. Sometimes we live with regrets of words unsaid or actions undone. We often don't realize it until we stand over that cold marble monument. The pain and hurt overflowed out of us even when we didn't believe there was any to be had. The tears turn to weeping and hearts ache for those few moments.

So no matter where you are or what time it might be… life is too short to love with regrets. Take the time to say those words or do those actions. Sometimes you never know the impact of one short text or just a few words. Life is short and can take so many unexpected turns, so don't put things off till tomorrow because all we are guaranteed is today.