7. FROM ANOTHER WORLD

I sit and stare at the discontinued drink on the screen. For a moment I contemplate that just maybe it is an old advertisement that was never removed. I dismiss this thought as the paper of the advertisement looked new. If it was an old advertisement the colours would be faded and the paper would have been damaged.

The cars were really old. I try to remember what type of car stopped next to me. It was boxy like old cars but the paintwork was very shiny. I type in 1980 cars in the search engine and a lot of images of boxy cars come up.

Could it be that on the other side of the small room it is 1980? I look at the line of black and white pictures on my table.

For a moment I struggle to catch my breath. I get my purse from my bedroom and pull out all the money in it. I specifically look for coins and notes printed before 1980. I feel like laughing at myself. Am I really entertaining the idea of time travel? I then decide that it is probably the wildest thing I have ever done and proceed to find any money I may have that would be spendable in the 1980's.

I really didn't find much. In fact, I barely found enough to buy a bread today.

I put the money in a small purse. I put the small purse in my jean pocket and go back to the door that leads to the basement. I wish Charlie was here. It would have been an adventure if I could share it with a friend.

I unlock the door and go down the stairs. Behind the stairs I pull away the wooden panel and open the door. I didn't bring my spotlight this time. I walk into the room and clos the door behind me. I feel my way to the other side where I find the doorknob of the other door. I turn it slowly and the door opens a bit. I peek through the opening. The sun is still shining and the birds are still chirping.

I hear the cars drive by on the road close to the small building. I open the door to walk out and light floods the small room. As I look back to the door that leads into my house it is gone. Panic hits me at the idea of the door being gone. I close the door to the outside world and feel my way back to the other side of the room where my door is supposed to be. I quickly find a handle and open the door. I look into the back of the stairs leading down into my basement. Relief floods me as I take note that when this door is closed, you cannot see it from the other world.

The other world. I laugh softly at myself for adjusting to these strange circumstances so quickly.

I sigh a deep sigh and close the door again. I feel my way back to the other side of the dark room and find the door that leads outside. When I open it, the light is a bit bright for my eyes. I stand for a moment to adjust to the light before walking out and closing the door behind me.

I make my way to the bus stop. The advertisement on the booth is still the same. I look at it with a new sense of wonder. It is old, but it is new. I walk closer to the road to have a look in both directions. If there is a bus stop here it would mean that a lot of people can get her. That would mean that this is walking distance to something.

To the right, the road seems endless. To the left I can see a fuel station not too far from where I am. I start walking towards the fuel station. When I reach the station, I can see a few old cars filling up. They just look like old cars to me. They are actually new cars.

I walk into the small shop. The cashier gives me a friendly greeting. I walk to the newspaper stand and pick up a paper. I try not to gasp as I read the date on the paper.

16 March 1980. I buy the paper and a bottle of coke. As I walk out of the little shop, I take a sip of the cold liquid and read the headlines of the paper. This is truly a very strange day.

I walk a bit further down the road where there is more going on. It seems that there is a street fair going on. The stalls are close to each other and there is a lot of people milling through the narrow pathways between the stalls. Children are running around and playing between the stalls.

Some of the stalls has a variety of freshly baked items. Other stalls have fresh fruit and vegetables. Some stalls have books and clothes and others have vases and collectables.

I look at the variety of things the people are selling and I suddenly realise where the old lady found all her valuable items. The question is though, why did she never sell any of it. I walk slowly through the fair, greeting the people and making small talk. Everyone seems so much friendlier than the people I know. When I reach the lady who has the vases, I look at the large white vase she has on display.

"It is a beautiful item. It would look lovely in your home." She tells me and smiles and nods like she knows what the inside of my house looks like. I smile back at her but I do not know what to tell her. She is clearly waiting for me to say something. This is why I do not like leaving my house. People make things awkward.

She takes a step closer to the vase.

"It is hand painted. If you look closely, you will see the amount of detail on it." She beckons me to come closer. I do what she wants only because I do not know how to get out of this situation without being rude. What she said is, in fact, true.

The vase is made of white porcelain. It is glazed over with a clear glaze. On top of the glaze a very detailed pattern of small white leaves and twigs are painted in a shade of white just a bit whiter than the colour of the vase.

"You should have it." She picks it up and holds it towards me. It is not as expensive as you would think. It is only a replica of the original antique vase." She smiles at me and keeps holding it out towards in her outstretched arms.

I take out my small purse and let all the money I have in it drop into my hand. I hold it out towards her.

"This is all I have with me." I tell her as she looks into my hand.

"That is more than enough, sweetheart." She smiles a broad smile and looks me in the eyes.

I put the small purse back into my pocket and take the vase with my one hand and hold it against my body. She holds out her hand and I put the money into it. She closes her hand and smiles a genuine friendly smile at me.

"Thank you so much." She turns to put the money into a small metal box she has behind the table.

"Thank you" I tell her softly as I turn to walk away. I look at the vase in my hands. It is really beautiful. I start walking back to the fuel station. I need to get home. I need to call Charlie. I need to tell someone about everything that happened today.

I walk fast but slow enough not to look suspicious. When I reach the station the lady that helped me is standing outside with a cigarette in her hand. She waves at me as I walk past her and I wave a small wave back. I wonder if anyone can see how little I fit in here.

I quicken my pace as I put more distance between me and the fuel station. By the time I reach the bus stop I am practically running.

I round the bus stop and make my way to the small building behind it. I open the door and close it behind me. My heart is pounding as I feel my way to the other side of the room, clutching the white vase under my arm.

I get a hold of the knob and open the door that leads into my basement. I quickly close the door behind me and put the vase on the floor in the middle of the room. I push the wooden panel against the door and take the vase in my hands to hurry upstairs. When I enter the short hallway, I close and lock the door that leads down to the basement.

Once again, I stand staring at the door in the hallway while my breathing calms down.