It seemed the rectangular buildings were specifically constructed to accommodate students with only a three-block trek to the university campus.

Tears formed along the creases of Jades face as she gazed about with obvious sentiment.

"This is where Jasmine and I shared residence while she attended college. I worked two jobs in order to help her with tuition." Jade’s smile shifted in a remorseful manner.

"Her grades were always superior to mine...I was an average student, so we felt it wise to concentrate on putting her through school first so that she’d be free to help me when I needed it. As it turned out, my education had to wait until after Drake and I married. I ended up struggling with the difficult classes… I was forced to deal with them all on my own."

A large Ford Galaxy slowly approached and it took some maneuvering to pull into the cramped space available along the narrow road. The driver overshot the swerve during numerous attempts to parallel park.

Jade began to chuckle. "I remember that old car! We bought it for six hundred dollars from a retired neighbor and it was my only means of transportation during the four years that we were living there. Jas nicknamed the car Goliath."

A moment later, a much younger version of Jade rushed from the automobile. Not recognizing herself in the future, she glanced in our direction, nodded, then scampered off down the sidewalk. She fumbled with a cluster of key chains and eventually found the proper key to unlock the door of the apartment facing the street.

"Shall we?" I asked Jade.

"You want me to confront myself?" Jade questioned with an incredulous tone.

"I think it might be best."

"What exactly am I supposed to say? Hi, it's me in the future, stay away from Drake, use some common sense...after all, it will destroy your relationship with your sister?"

"Maybe." I responded.

"Like really I'll listen. I was overcome with jealousy towards Jasmine back then. She seemed to have it all... A handsome boyfriend with aspirations of becoming an attorney, grades nothing less than perfect, and an overflow of self confidence."

"It wouldn't hurt to give it a try."

"I don't know." Jade whispered.

I took the initiative and approached the door. "I think this is crazy." Jade whispered as she reluctantly stood beside me straightening her blouse.

The door swung open before we had a chance to ring the bell.

"Yeah?" Jasmine answered as we faced her. Her vibrant eyes studied the simple clothing of the future Jade. There was something in the way that she carried herself that conjured images of Elizabeth Fenmore. Perhaps it was her choice in outfits and how everything fit her as if designed specifically for her figure.

"I'm looking for Jade, is she here?" Future Jade asked her sister.

"Yeah, she's in the shower. She's in a hurry, she’s due at her second job at the bookstore in twenty minutes."

"This will only take a few moments of her time." Future Jade managed as Jasmine rolled her eyes in disapproval. She then swung her arm indicating that we should enter. Jasmine eyed the future Jade with consideration. I suspected that at any moment ten thousand questions would be asked regarding the purpose of our visit.

The place was tiny, but had a certain amount of charm. Milk crates were stacked for an innovative use as bookshelves. Two metal garbage cans were positioned upside down with handmade pillows lining the base. A rustic table acted as the perfect compliment for such modernistic stools.

Jasmine announced to her sister that she had guests. Her eyes followed us as we took a seat on a sheet-covered sofa. Just then the phone began to ring in several quick bursts.

Jasmine sprinted around a dividing wall and lunged for the phone. Jade's youthful voice shouted from the bathroom regarding the telephone call.

"It's for me." Jasmine responded as she peered around the corner eyeing us with suspicion.

"Roger...yes I enjoyed talking with you at the tea house this afternoon. Tonight?" Jasmine asked, her face animated from what was being discussed on the other end of the phone. She twisted away from view.

"I have a class. Yes, I understand. Tomorrow lunch? Well, okay then...two o'clock is fine with me. Bye for now." Jasmine chuckled with excitement as she reentered the room.

"How is it you know my sister?" Jasmine inquired.

Jasmine studied us with curiosity when the phone began ringing once again.

"Hold on a moment." She said once again disappearing around the corner.

"Hi Drake." She said in a syrup tone. "Yes, I'm looking forward to dinner tonight. I'm glad finals are in the past as well. Listen, there are some people here to see my sister. What? No. I didn't know your mother was in town and wanted to meet. I was planning to see an old friend for lunch tomorrow. You remember me mentioning my friend Shelly, right? We were on the high school cheer squad together."

"Okay I'll see you tonight. Yes, me too."

Jasmine reappeared as Jade entered the room from the other direction. Jade gazed at us with surprise as Jasmine shrugged her shoulders as if giving up on the prospect of learning what we wanted with her sister. She then disappeared into the kitchen. Jasmine’s shadow gave away her attempt to eavesdrop.

"Can I help you?" Jade asked with suspicion.

"I need to speak with you Jade...and it's very important that I do." Jade of the future began.

"Well?" Jade asked gazing at her wristwatch.

"Can we go for a walk?" Future Jade inquired gazing at the kitchen doorway.

"Sure." Jade responded. She then announced to her sister, "I'll be right back."

We stepped outdoors and Jade gazed with interest at the future Jade. "You look very familiar to me, do I know you from somewhere?"

"As a matter of fact, you know me quite well, actually better than anyone has ever known me."

"How's that, we've never met?" Jade replied as we scaled the steps and began to stroll.

"MY name is Jade Johnson. I've traveled back in time, all by the means of a miracle. I need to urge you not to come between your sister and Drake Johnson."

"Don't be absurd! I would never come between Drake and Jas. They're crazy about each other, tight as the binding stitched in a girdle."

"Things are going to turn about very soon.... and… well, you've got to listen to me. Drake is going to need a shoulder to cry on. You must turn him away and encourage him to use someone else's shoulder. If you value your relationship with Jasmine, you must leave him alone!"

"Come on, is this some sort of a bizarre joke?" Jade spat.

"Roll up your sleeve." Jade of the future demanded.

With apprehension, Jade complied as the future Jade exposed her right wrist. "When I was little, my mother took me ice skating." Jade of the future began. "Somehow I fell and this oversized bully skated over my wrist cutting the skin beneath with sharp hockey skates."

"Six stitches." Jade from the past added as their eyes locked. In that moment it was obvious they realized the mutual connection. "Mom drove me to the emergency room and I ended up with ice cream as a reward for being brave throughout the horrible ordeal."

"A double slam parfait." Jade from the future whispered acting as if receiving the ice cream was a profound experience.

There was a pause in conversation, as they comprehended the magnitude of past life meeting present day. At nearly the same moment, dual sets of eyes focused on the identical locket both women sported. In unison, both sets of hands trailed to their necks and fingered the necklace. It was as if they were peering into a mirror, but the only difference being that one of them was ten years the wiser.

"You mean to tell me that Drake and Jasmine will not be getting married next June?" Jade wondered.

"I'm not sure about that, but I am certain that if you get involved, there will be no Jasmine and Drake ever again."

"You said your name is Jade Johnson...so does that mean?"

"Yes, precisely."

Jade from the past began to chuckle. "Well, I'll be darned."

"Step back girl! You'll only be happy for a few years. Life with Drake is not an easy thing, quite monotonous, extremely boring... You'll do much better for yourself by focusing on your own education, learning self reliance, and allowing Jasmine to help you pay for school. Wasn't that your original agreement? One through college at a time?"

"Yes." The past Jade agreed. "So you're not at all happy then?"

"No. That's why I'm here. I haven't spoken to Jasmine in nearly ten years. I miss my sister and I want to prevent the estrangement."
"Okay." The past Jade finally agreed.

"You won't get involved?"

"Nope."

"You're not just appeasing me here?"

"Hey, if it's that important to conjure such a fantastic visit, the least I should do is listen."

Before we darted away, the past and present Jade quickly shared an embrace. "This has been one wild afternoon." Jade from the past admitted.

Jade watched as her future self and I headed to the side yard dissolving into flecks of dust.

__________

Jade and I reappeared on the landing near the back entrance of the home that she and Drake owned. The door swung open as Jasmine hurried through. She appeared a wreck, white chunks of spit-up staining the shoulder of her wrinkled shirt and she was carrying a child seat with a tiny infant bundled within. Jasmine eyed us with surprise and her face became animated at the sight of her sister.

"If it isn't Chicago's most successful car dealer? I saw you on television this morning sis, nice commercial." "Are you going to meet your goal for your tax liquidation sale?" Jasmine questioned Jade.

"I probably will." Jade whispered uncertain about her current situation. "I couldn't ask for a better year."

"Excellent. I'm on my way to pick Jamie up from her Girl Scout meeting. I'm certainly enjoying that station wagon you set us up with...so roomy!"

"I'm glad." Jade said stepping forward and embracing her sister.

"What's this all about?" Jas questioned leaning away.

"I've just missed you is all sis."

"Missed me? Drake and I just went to dinner with you and your boyfriend Daniel last Tuesday."

"I know. Seeing you today is wonderful though." Jade said brushing away tears. Realizing my task was completed I began to fade away.

Jasmine peered towards me with shock as my image shifted to transparent. "What's going on here?" She asked with a confused tone of voice.

"Never you mind him. My life is on track, just like it should be." Jade said as she waved her farewell in my direction.

As I fell away I took great comfort in the fact that some things could be fixed through the magic of a genie...if only in the other dimension a simple wish could be managed to repair all problems. "Jeanne!" I called as the tunnel suctioned me forward...forward in the direction of the next adventure.