The Other Side of Tomorrow

The bell dings above the door and Perry lifts his head sniffing the air.

“I detect a shift in the air. Is that my Ms. Willa?” Juilo calls from the corner and I find him in his swinging chair smoking a blunt.

I laugh. “It’s me, Julio.”

“You said you wouldn’t wait long to come back,” he tsks.

Perry sniffs Julio’s bare dangling feet.

“I had a good reason.”

“Mmm, is that so?” He lets out a cloud of smoke. “Did my prediction come true?”

I smile, bending to pull Perry back. “It did.”

“And who is this delightful creature with you?”

“This is Perry, our dog.” I pet him on his head and he looks up at me.

“He is very fond of you,” Julio comments, taking a drag of the blunt. “I sense a strong connection.”

“And I think you’re baked out of your mind.” I laugh.

He chuckles. “Nonsense. Tell me, how do you feel?”

I shrug, even though he can’t see. “I feel like a person again. I don’t have to rely on a machine to live anymore. I feel amazing. Like, I literally didn’t know it was possible to feel this good.”

“I am very happy for you,” he says in his raspy voice. “You deserve this.”

“Not more than anyone else,” I whisper, still petting Perry. “There are many people on the transplant waiting list. They all deserve it.”

“That is so,” he agrees. “But this was your turn. Don’t be sorry for it.”

“So many people die waiting.” My voice cracks. “It’s not fair.”

“Your concern for others is beautiful, m’dear Willa, but the tides of Earth ebb and flow. Death is a natural part of the cycle. When it’s your time, it’s your time, and nothing can stop that.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“I might be a blind pothead, but I’m right.”

I snort. “Julio, you are one of a kind.”

“Everyone’s one of a kind, but most people try to become like someone else because being unique is looked down upon.”

I shake my head.

“Do you still have your bracelet?” he asks.

“Of course.” I hold out my wrist with the bracelet and he grabs it, his fingers lightly touching the dangling sun charm. He releases it and my arm drops back to my side.

“I think of you often, my flower. I say to the gods above, watch over this sweet girl, give her strength for she must battle things no one her age should ever have to contend with.”

“What about you?” I ask. “You lost your eyesight.”

“And I fought my own kind of battle. Just because you have to fight, doesn’t mean you should have to do it alone. The people around you are there to help, if you let them, and the spirits. The spirits will tell you things if you open yourself up to listen, but most people think that’s nonsense.”

The bell on the door chimes and I jump, realizing I need to find Harlow.