I know, I was suspicious too. I asked the nurse who took care of us at the hospital. She was really helpful in giving me the rundown on this universe.
“So, is this like a utopia or something?” I asked, my brown knitted together, skeptical. “Because I don’t trust that one bit.”
(I’m sure my old therapist would still have a lot to say about that, actually).
But she replied in earnest. “Utopia. No. We aren’t perfect here, although we do work hard to make a good go of it, don’t we? Accept everyone. Take all you little orphan portal hoppers in. Patch up your wounds and bring you into the fold. But no, we aren’t a utopia.”
I looked up at her from my little hospital bed. “Then what do you call this place?”
But she just smiled and handed me a glass of water. “I think we call it home.”
And she’s right. That’s what it is now. It’s home.
And so now, here we are, all settled in on our little plot of land. And water, actually.
Although, there are still a couple of things I miss in the old universe. Really, just one thing.
“You are my hero,” Mack says to me. “And I have so many ways in which I want to thank you.”
I giggle a little and kick water at him, but he holds on tightly to my hips, rubbing his face and his special little appendage against my now-scaled abdomen.
“I love the way you feel,” he says against me, his words muffled. “This dark green suits you well.”
“You know, now that you’re better . . .” I say, letting my fingertips glide down his neck and shoulders. “I think maybe we have a little business to attend to that we never did on land.”
He looks up at me, a glimmer in his eyes. “Oh yeah? And what might that be?”
I know I must look like an absolutely horny freak, but the spell is broken when a group of butterflies flutter over, carrying a package with their little butterfly legs. Yes, this is an actual thing that happens in this crazy universe. I almost couldn’t believe it myself. Courier butterflies.
They drop a small package right next to me.
“What’s this?” I pick it up. It’s a plastic bag . . . and inside is . . .”My phone!”
I clamp my hand over my mouth. “Mack, I had my phone on me when we went through the portal.”
I dig into the bag and pull out a little note. It’s from the nurse at the hospital.
Everyone’s always losing track of these things when they portal hop. I sent it to a technician, and it’s all up and running. You’ll send me a thank-you gift later. Cheers!
I take out the phone, push the side button, and it illuminates in the palm of my hand.
“Do you think it can communicate with our old universe?” Mack asks. He pulls up on the shore to sit beside me, peeping over my shoulder.
“Only one way to find out.”
But before I can even type anything, my screen is inundated with messages.
Kate: WHAT IS THIS ENORMOUS DEPOSIT IN MY BANK ACCOUNT WITH A NOTE THAT SAYS “WETTER IS BETTER”? I KNOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS JULES DON’T EVEN FUCKING PLAY WITH ME
From our current universe, Mack ended up depositing a chunk of money into Kate’s account. The technology is more advanced here; we’re less bound by the laws of what’s impossible back in the old universe.
But the majority of the money went to George. And even though I don’t see him anymore, I still think about him every day.
Mack’s family hasn’t realized he’s even gone yet. Except for his sister Delaney, who emailed him after several failed attempts to see him at his apartment. Mack has responded, but he’s acknowledged that the ground is still tentative. Either way, he’s far enough away from everyone that he has some time to sit with his feelings. Maybe one day, he can reach out again. Maybe one day, he can try. The technology in this universe allows us to make contact. For that, I’m grateful.
And because I haven’t responded to Kate yet, more texts appear.
Kate: YOU CRAZY BITCH
Kate: You almost killed Jason? He barely made it after you stabbed him! Are you SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? He almost died. Well, I have to say, he had it coming. I fucking hate that guy. You’re all over the news! At first they were calling you a crazy bitch, but then some detective discovered the cameras in your apartment . . . which, by the way, did you know Jason had your apartment bugged? Like, are you kidding me? Anyway, everyone’s talking about you. And they can’t decide if you’re a hero or a total psychopath, and I’d say people are pretty damn divided. Most of the women are saying you’re star-crossed lovers with the weird fish creature you took into the water with you. A lot of them think Mack is pretty hot. But anyway, where did you go? You’re not really in the water, are you?
The time stamp records several more days had passed before she sent one more text.
Kate: Wherever you are . . . I miss you. I hope you get this.
I smile thinking about her. I miss her too. Then I tap away at the keyboard.
Jules: I love you, Kate. I’m okay, but I’m pretty fucking far away now. Have you and the guys ever considered taking a trip? Maybe one that requires a little portal hopping?
Typing bubbles appear, and immediately, my heart soars. Then her message appears.
Kate: Baby, you have my attention. I know a thing about a portal or two but I have to take a nap first. Just tell me where and when, and I’ll meet you there. Should I bring a swimsuit?
“You think Kate could find a portal?” Mack asks.
His fingers are now playing against my thighs. We’re both naked, except for the cover of our scales. Even my nipples are covered with scales now, but luckily, they still feel the same. I know because I drummed my fingers along them just to test it out.
I set the phone down. “I think Kate knows more than we ever could.”
