With that our conversation was cut short. I didn’t have any answers and only gained more questions. What was really going on? It was like I had stumbled into an alternate reality. But that couldn’t be possible. That was just a dumb show about the unexplained. This however was too peculiar to just be normal teasing. I mean the sun was out for christ's sake. I haven’t seen the sun in years. Now it comes back and everyone is acting all kooky? I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

Well since I was told to go see mother I guess I should make my way outside. Since when did she have a green thumb? I thought to myself as I walked down stairs. I saw Lucious and he looked so much happier than he normally did. Normally he looked run down and tired but right now he was absolutely glowing with energy. 

I waved to him as I passed and he smiled. For what I felt was the first time I had ever seen him smile. I continued and made it outside. The warmth from the sun was no joke. Where even was the garden? I thought to myself while walking around the corner of the mansion to see no garden. I continued all the way around to the back and that’s when I saw her. A woman that could in no way ever be my mother. The direct antithesis of her even. This woman wore a white sundress and a white floppy brimmed summer hat that had yellow posies on the top. 

“Good morning mother.” I said calmly curtsying when she looked over.

“Oh why if it isn’t my pride and joy Cynthia. Good morning to you too sweetheart.” She said while flashing a smile.

“How is the garden doing mother?” I ask meekly.

“It is doing wonderfully darling. Why are you being so polite? This is so unlike you. Are you not feeling well? My poor baby.” She replied putting down the watering can and trowel and rushed over to me hugging me tightly.

Now this was definitely not my mother. This was someone completely new. She was just as stunning as my mother was but a complete stranger. My mother would never say something so nice to me or hug me for that matter. Everything just seemed to get more complicated the longer I stayed here.

Suddenly I felt a strange sensation in my head as if I heard a small voice calling out to me. That was weird. I should probably ignore it and try to figure out my current situation first, I thought to myself.

“Darling! Are you okay darling? Please respond. I need to know what hurts so I can notify the doctor.” My mother said, still holding me tightly against her chest.

“I'm a fine mother. I’m sorry for worrying you. I just thought I had heard someone calling to me from inside. But that was probably just my imagination.” I replied.

“Okay. If you’re sure that’s all it was I shall let you go. How do my roses look sweetie?” My mother said with a skeptical look on her face.

“They’re just astounding, mother. They are absolutely positively ravishing.” I said in the most posh voice I could muster.

“Well, they are quite something aren’t they? I could stay out here all day tending to them. Something about them brings me inner peace and helps calm me.” She replied with a solemn look on her face.

“Anyway, I should get going. I need to go use the little girls room. I shall take my leave for now. Thank you for showing your beautiful rose bushes mother.” I say as I curtsy and walk back towards the house.

“I love you!” She yelled after me as I continued to walk.

Now that was something she hadn’t said to me my whole life. This was absolutely not my mother. This was a stranger in my mothers body. She would never dress so comfortably nor would she speak so informally. 

I decided to ignore the fact that everyone had changed for now and went inside to see what time it was. When I saw the clock I was in shock. There was no way that it was the time it said it was. It had been 2 hours since I had woken up already. Those two conversations took 2 entire hours of the day. Could that even be possible? The clock was just about to strike 11 there was no way that it had been so long.

I walked away from the clock with a heavy heart completely lost as to where or when I was. Could I have gone back into the past? Did I time travel? No, that’s insane, time travel isn’t possible. Also my parents knew who I was so it was not like I had traveled to before I had been born. So that ruled out when what about where? Could I have gone to some alternate dimension where everyone was the opposite of who they were? If that were true, where was the alternate version of me? 

Now I had a mission to find either the current paper with the date on it to prove whether or not I had traveled into the past and also look for the alternate version of me if this were some weird alternate reality.

I walked through the house looking for a newspaper or looking for a computer to check the date. I couldn’t find either while I was walking around the enormous building. I looked at my phone and it just said that it was the same date as it was when I had gone to sleep the night before. But that’s not possible, it couldn't be the next day. It had to be the past. The clouds last night didn’t show any signs of disappearing.

My search for a paper was fruitless and it was nearing lunch time. I was hungry and figured it best to call my search quits for the time being. I’m sure I would bump into an alternate version of myself if I went down to lunch so I might as well try there. It seemed like my best bet for now.

I walked down the stairs and almost bumped into my father or a person who looked like my father. He was walking towards the dining room as well awaiting lunch.

“Oh Cynthia. I’m sorry I almost bowled you over. I must’ve been too eager for lunch. I truly am sorry my darling!” He said smiling as he wrapped one arm around my shoulder.

“It’s no trouble at all sir. I’m sorry for almost bumping into you.” I replied

“Pssha. You needn’t apologize, it was entirely my fault. Let’s head into the dining room. It’s lunch time, we shouldn't keep your mother waiting.” He said with a jovial tone.

We walked into the dining room to be greeted with mother sitting in a seat near the middle of the table. She softly patted the seat next to her as if beckoning me. I slowly slunk over and sat beside her.

“Didn’t think you’d see me again so soon?” She said with a smile.

“No ma’ am, I had just figured you would’ve taken your lunch out in the garden. You seemed very hard at work.” I replied sheepishly.

“Nonsense, I always have time to spend with my family. After all you both are the light and joy in my life. Those silly flowers can wait because the things that really matter are right here next to me.” She said, still beaming.

I had never seen her act this way. Even if it wasn’t her it was still nice to see. I felt a warm sensation in my chest. It was like it was the first time I had ever felt happy. I don’t think I have ever experienced happiness like this. I wished this day would never end. Soon Lucious brought out some salads for us. It was a fresh garden salad for lunch with grilled chicken breast and pomegranate vinaigrette.

We all ate in silence. Now this was normal. This felt familiar. After we ate we said our goodbyes and I began my search anew. I walked back up the stairs and went towards the room I had fallen asleep in. No better place to begin looking than where I started this whole adventure.