Maybe Next Time

Emma wakes up wishing that something could be different and that this could simply be any other day. Dan tells her she has time. She kisses him, recalling their first kiss, and decides to pretend everything’s normal. She stays at the café to enjoy her hazelnut latte and blueberry muffin. Jurek mentions that his mother loves books but has developed cataracts that make reading difficult. At the office, Emma avoids Linda and instead decides to read submissions, wanting to enjoy her job: “The smallest flicker of the old me reignited for a second. Before I remembered and it was dashed out” (304). She confides in Jas about the day she has been reliving for five months. Jas suggests that if she has limitless time, she can use it to reconnect with the people she loves; it could be a sort of gift.

Emma wakes reminding herself that this time is a gift. She wishes Dan a happy anniversary, and they make love. She has breakfast with the kids and asks Poppy not to post anything to her social media sites. She’s happy to see Dan’s previous letter ripped up in the garbage. As she walks with her children to school, Emma notices the scenery around her.