Page 37 of You've Found Oliver

I’ve made some mistakes in this timeline. But there’s one I have to fix before going back.

I’m still mad at myself for ditching Mom’s birthday.

I keep thinking about her sitting in the ceramics class, waiting for me to show up.

I can’t believe I lost that memory just to go to Nolan’s stupid party.

We haven’t had a chance to talk about it.

Hopefully, there’s still time to make things right.

She’s the most important person in my life.

The last thing I would ever want is to leave things this way.

Once I get back to Ellensburg, I still have a few hours before everything closes. I make a quick stop in town and then drive to Julie’s to drop off the car before hurrying home. I manage to clean up a little before Mom finally comes through the door.

“Surprise,” I say.

The birthday candle flickers in the air between us. Mom blinks at the plate in my hands, looking confused. When I stopped by the bakery earlier, they had one slice of her favorite caramel coconut cake left. I hold it out for her. “Go on. Make a wish.”

“You know it isn’t my birthday,” she says.

I had a feeling she would still be upset. I let out a breath and say, “I know. I’m sorry. I should have been there last week. I’m the worst son in the world. Please let me make up for it, okay?”

Mom gives me a long look. For a second, I think she might walk away, but she blows out her candle instead. We smile at each other. There’s no time to take a bite though.

“Keep your jacket on. We have to leave right now.”

“Where are we going—” she starts.

I set down the plate and pull her out the door, letting her know it’s a surprise.

It’s a short drive to the ceramics studio.

Julie was kind enough to call them for me while I was on my way back from Seattle.

Their last class of the day ended half an hour ago.

Apparently, the woman said no at first. But when Julie told her the story, she remembered my mom from the week before.

She’s allowing us to come to the studio for the next hour, while she’s cleaning up.

It’s nice being the only two people here, almost like we rented the place for ourselves.

I help Mom make her plate and place it in the kiln.

Of course, she decides to paint it the same green as my eyes.

Just like the one she made before, in the other timeline.

She looks just as happy as she did the first time we came here.

“This was what I wished for,” she whispers to me.

I can’t help but smile. I know this isn’t exactly like before, but I’m glad I was able to do this with her.

I really hope this brings us closer again.

Later at home, Mom and I split the slice of cake and put a frozen pizza in the oven.

We watch an episode of her favorite show before she heads off to bed.

It’s late when I finally lie down on the sofa.

I’m tired from the hours of driving today.

I’m not sure where I’ll wake up in the morning.

My eyelids feel heavy as I check my phone.

The date hasn’t changed since the last time I checked—it’s still April.

But there’s a few new text messages from Ben. I open our conversation right away.

Hope you made it back safe

Wish we had a little more time together though.

I regret not kissing you longer. And not holding you in my arms for a few more seconds.

I thought about what you said. That you and I are connected somehow.

Maybe we were always supposed to meet each other.

Regardless of what universe we were in. It makes it more painful to think about you leaving

I hope you’re right about everything. That this isn’t the last time I’ll see you.

Who knows. Maybe the stars will align differently next time.

So we can truly be together. I’ll wish for that more than anything in the world.

But if for some reason it doesn’t happen, I want you to know I’m glad you came into my life.

That I won’t forget about us no matter what happens

Missing you already. Hopefully you get back to where you need

I read the message over again. I’m not sure if he’s still awake, but I write him a response.

Sorry I had to leave so quickly

I wish we had more time together too. I wish a lot of things could be different. I wish I was with you right now. So I can kiss you again. And we could fall asleep together. Out of all the universes I could have ended up in, I’m grateful it was yours

I’m also happy you came into my life. That we got to know each other more these past few weeks.

Just because our time might be temporary, it doesn’t mean my connection to you is.

We’re a part of each other now. No matter what timelines we end up in.

I’m not sure what will happen tomorrow. Maybe nothing will change at all.

But in case I don’t come back, I want you to know something

I love you

I wish I had told you in person

I’ve never liked the word goodbye , so I don’t say it this time. I just keep the phone next to me as I close my eyes. I hope he gets the message. The rest of the world fades around me as I fall asleep.