Wishing For More Time

Chapter 3

Wishing For More Time:

Part 3 James watched as his aunt’s face twisted with fright and became concerned. He reached out to try to touch her and froze when he saw his hand. James’ eyes snapped open when he saw that his fingers were shorter and the sleeve of his gray sweatshirt was loose. He looked down and nearly panicked when he saw how ill-fitting the rest of his outfit was. The young man turned his attention to his feet and saw they were barely touching the floor. James watched as his shoes moved further away from the floor, barely keeping his breathing under control as he felt his feet shrink in his footwear. James’ shoes suddenly dropped from his feet, hitting the floor with a faint thud. A second later, the boy’s socks slipped from his feet, and for a second, he saw how chubby his feet were becoming. James looked at his hands and saw them shortening as they slipped into the sleeves of his sweater. “W-What’s happening?” James asked in fright, his voice breaking. Hearing her nephew’s concern-filled voice snapped Clare out of her fright, and she tried to compose herself as she studied James. She figured that her nephew was close to 11 and was steadily getting younger with each passing second. James’ face was softening as a thin layer of baby fat was starting to grow on his cheeks. His gray sweat suit had ballooned around his body, and his sweatpants were barely hanging on his legs. “...Aunty?” James asked in a weak and timid voice. “What’s going to happen to me?” Clare looked at her nephew, biting the inside of her lip to keep the grimace off her face. Like his mother before him, Clare didn’t know how to comfort her nephew. After all, what can one say to someone who has suddenly found themselves getting younger? Instead, the adult woman tried to put on an easy smile, hoping it would put James at ease. “...I don’t know,” Clare said, trying to sound upbeat, “But know I will be there, for both you and Judy.” James looked at his aunt, not feeling confident in her words. Instead, he looked down as he felt his pants slip off his legs. A faint blush crept onto the boy’s face when he saw his boxers had also fallen. He quickly tried to cover his private parts, the fact that his sweater now nearly reached his knees escaping him. Clare watched her nephew, taking in his appearance. She was shocked; a minute barely passed, and James had lost nearly five years, putting him close to seven. Clare frowned as she looked between her sister and nephew. Despite being nearly three years old, James was almost as tall as his mother. She then remembered that James had a growth spurt around age 8. Clare might have found that fact interesting if a sudden noise had gotten her attention. She looked at James and saw that the boy was sobbing lightly. She was about to comfort her nephew when Judy hugged her son, a motherly aura surrounding the former adult. Without thought, James returned the gesture, his sleeves flapping widely as he wrapped his arms around his mother. The boy’s sobbing turned into full crying, and Judy patted her son’s back awkwardly. Clare watched this, allowing a smile to grace her lips. Despite her sudden return to her childhood, Judy was still James’ mother. “Thewe, thewe,” Clare said comfortingly, “It’s otay, Rimmy. I’m hewe.” Clare’s smile didn’t last long as she focused on her nephew. Due to James…Jimmy’s position, Clare couldn’t get a good look at her nephew. She got a little closer and studied the boy. The redhead figured her nephew was four years old, the same age as Judy. Clare watched for a few seconds and saw no changes happening to Jimmy. She figured that her nephew was done with his regression, but that still left one question lingering on Clare’s mind. “...Now what?” she asked out loud. “...Maybe we can help?” Startled and driven by a deep projective instinct, Clare got in front of the two toddlers and glared at the three in front of the room door. There were two men and one of the hospital nurses. All three had understanding looks highlighting their faces. One of the men, approaching his thirties, stepped forward and offered a polite smile to Clare. “Good day, Miss,” the man said politely, “My name is Kevin White-Dove, and I know this may be hard to understand, but my friends and I have gone through something like what you’re going through.” Clare blinked and stared at the man. Strangely, she did believe Kevin. There was something about the man, a faint aura about him that told Clare she could trust that the man was being honest with her. The redhead looked at the other man, feeling the same from him. Clare frowned as she looked at the nurse, Danna Blacklight, and couldn’t help but feel something else from the nurse. Unlike the men, the aura that surrounded Danna was different. If Clare had to describe it, she would tell someone that the nurse’s aura was rough and not as inviting as the men’s. And if Clare was being honest, the nurse was putting her on edge. So, she tore her eyes away from Nurse Blacklight and focused on the man in front of her. “...What do you want? Clare asked awkwardly. Kevin smiled and looked ready to explain his reasons when a sneeze got everyone’s attention. The adults looked at the toddlers and saw Judy shivering slightly. “...Maybe while you boys talk business,” Nurse Blacklight said politely, “I should get these kids dressed.” Clare looked at the nurse, trying to ignore her discomfort, and nodded in response. Danna returned the gesture and strolled up to the toddlers. Jimmy and Judy looked up at the nurse curiously. Danna gave the toddlers a kind smile and leaned down slightly so she didn’t look so intimidated. “How about I take you and get something cute to wear?” Danna asked kindly. The two stared at the nurse for a moment, then at each other. A silent message was sent between the two, and they looked back at the nurse, nodding shyly. Danna’s smile grew slightly as she helped the two down to the floor. The nurse took the toddlers by the hands and led them out of the room. Clare watched the nurse leave with her nephew and sister, and frowned. While she could see Jimmy in the same light, she was having trouble seeing the female toddler in the same light. So, what was Judy to Clare? “Now…” Kevin said politely, getting Clare’s attention. “I believe you have questions that need answering.” Clare looked at the man and saw the inviting smile he wore. After a moment of thought, she nodded, and Kevin’s smile grew every so slightly. The man then led Clare out of the room as he began to explain a few things. (SC) “...Re-Parenting?” Clare squeaked out awkwardly, looking at the card Kevin offered her. She stared at the business card for a second, frowning sourly before she looked at the man. “You’re really going with that?” Kevin let out a soft laugh and looked around the room. He, his friend Chris Rokk, and Clare were in the hospital cafeteria, and they were in luck; there were barely any people in the room, giving them the space they needed to talk without the threat of eavesdropping. “It was that,” Kevin replied lightheartedly, “Or Second Parenthood. I think that’s one a little on the nose for the goals our group works for.” Clare stared at the man, thinking. As the three waited for Nurse Blacklight to return with the toddlers, Kevin and Chris had explained that Jimmy and Judy weren’t the only ones affected by this strange event. The two experienced men then asked if something like a purple stone was involved with Clare’s relatives’ regression. That had confused Clare; as far as she knew, the change just happened. She told them this, and the two understood, stating that another one of the friends had experienced something similar. The fact that this happened to someone before still confuses Clare. She also still had doubts about everything, despite everything she had seen. “So…” The redhead asked awkwardly, “This really happens to others?” The two men smiled a little awkwardly at Clare, and Kevin replied with a hint of exhaustion entering his voice. “More than I care to admit. That’s why we decided to create our group; on the surface, it’s a non-profit consulting group that helps unexpected and unprepared parents.” “But our main goal,” Chris added, “Is to be a support group to help ease people into these sudden changes.” Kevin looked at his friend and nodded. He then looked back at Clare, taking on a more serious demeanor. “If it’s okay with you,” the man said, “Can we do a prescreening? That way, we can get a few things out of the way.” Clare looked Kevin in the eyes and thought about his offer. She was still having a hard time accepting a few things, but figured she’ll start some things. It might help put her own thoughts in order. “...Yes,” the redhead said calmly. Kevin nodded and took a moment to sort out his thoughts. “First and foremost,” Kevin said professionally, “Are there any other close members of your family. Like your sister’s husband?” Clare’s face filled with fury, and she scowled with profound scorn. “Don’t even mention that bum in passing,” she snarled. “That man left during Jimmy’s first childhood.” Kevin nodded and thankfully let the matter drop. He noticed the fury on Clare’s face and waited until she calmed down enough to continue. It still irritated Clare to think about her ex-brother-in-law. The bum had left Judy and Jimmy when Jimmy was around seven years old, all because he found someone younger and more beautiful than Clare’s sister. Clare might have stewed in her anger longer if a voice hadn’t caught her attention. “Sorry for taking so long. But these two have more energy than I was ready for.” Clare, Kevin, and Chris looked to the cafeteria’s door and saw Nurse Blacklight with Judy and Jimmy. Clare couldn’t help but gush at how cute her nephew and niece looked. “You are sooo cuutee!” Both wore overhauls and sweaters. Jimmy had a reddish/orange sweater with a blue strip running down the sleeves. Judy’s sweater was lilac with a hot pink strip across the sleeves. Both wore sandals. To complete their looks, both toddlers held small stuffed animals in a shy manner. Judy had a teddy bear with a purple spiral on its stomach, and James had a t-rex with a mohawk. Jimmy’s hair had been combed back, and Clare could see a hint of gel in it. However, it was Judy who caught Clare’s attention; Judy’s hair had been done up in pigtails, resting against her shoulders. Clare couldn’t help herself. Motherly instincts took over, and she stumbled out of her seat and rushed to her nephew and niece. She dropped to her knees and hugged the toddlers. Shen then began peppering their faces with kisses, much to their embarrassment. “...Aunty,” Jimmy moaned embarrassingly. “Hush, Jimmy,” Clare scolded lightheartedly, “Let me have this.” Jimmy did as he was told and let his aunt smother him in kisses. As this was going on, the young boy glanced at his mother-turned-twin-sister and couldn’t help but smile. It may not have turned out how he would like, but in the end, Jimmy’s wish did come true…he now has more time with his sister!