(April 14, 2017. Lily and Oliver: 26)

OLIVER: I'm looking over the charts and books, its official; we are going out of business. The skateboarding shop was a fine idea. But I'm loosing interest and money. I hate to bother Lily with this; she has enough shit on her plate to deal with.

I hear her key in the front door and I look up from the kitchen table. She walks in with a smile. Ah, a good day.

"Honey I'm home!" She snickers skipping into the kitchen.

I give a very weak smile.

"Why so sad dear boy?"

"It's over, we're in debt my dear, the shop won't last the year." For some odd reason after I say this she keeps smiling.

"Come watch something with me." She says leading me to our small television set. We sit down and Lily pulls a small piece of paper out of her pocket. I wait.

The TV is set on channel nine. I'm so out of touch with what is on now a days. I'm always busy and I don't really see the point, it rots your brain.

"And the lottery numbers of tonight are…" A man in a black suit says smiling on the screen. I look to Lily. "You didn't." I frown.

She laughs. "Just watch." On the screen six numbers are shown: 43, 2, 26, 51, 10, 11. Of course they all match the ones on Lily's ticket.

Lily turns the television off. "Neat trick, huh?"

"This is wrong, morally wrong!" I say throwing the paper down.

"Oh come on Oliver! I think someone upstairs is screwing us with my condition. We deserve happiness… besides who cares! Now we can buy that music shop you've always wanted."

I sit back in the couch, how did she know? Sensing my uncertainly Lily grins.

"Please Oliver, I know all and see all, just call me God."

I think it over. "Alright, alright let's be selfish pigs."

Lily cheers and stands. "Now, let's go spend our ill gotten gains!"

(July 4, 2017. Oliver and Lily: 26)

LILY: It's done. We've finally opened the right shop; music was definitely the way to go. Oliver seems happier with this small place. He's always making new orders and greeting the costumers with a friendly 'hello.'

We sell punk, pop, country, retro, techno, indie, alternative rock, plain rock, jazz every kind of music. You name it, we've got it! But today we are taking the day off for the holiday. Jake and Miley are joining us at the beach today.

"Come on, let's set up over there!" Jake yells over at us.

Oliver and I lug the towels, bags, and umbrella over to where Miley and Jake have set up the picnic area.

"Thanks for all the help." I grip sarcastically at them.

"Welcome." Miley smirks.

"Ahhh." Oliver sighs collapsing under the bright green umbrella and onto a red towel. "This is the life."

"No! No time to sleep! Let's hit the water!" I jump excitedly. I don't have to visit Doctor Brown, I'm not traveling all is good and well. I want to live up to the moment. Oliver groans. "We stayed up all night looking over new houses Lily! I'm dead!"

"You're a party pooper!" I say folding my arms over my chest.

"Every party needs a pooper that's why you invited me! Party pooper!" Oliver sings very badly, and off key. I laugh at his attempt.

"Alright enough! I'm ready to swim how about you oh pretty little wife of mine?" Jake grins at Miley. I catch Miley stealing a glance at Oliver. It bothers me, but I can't quiet place it. Oliver doesn't notice; he's playing with my hair with his eyes are closed.

"Sure!" She giggles nervously getting up and running after him.

I punch Oliver's arm. "Come on!" I whine.

"Fine, fine." He grumbles.

We get out to the shore and cool water hits my toes. I laugh as Oliver yelps at the icy contact.

"Oh you think that's funny eh?" He says running up to me.

"No Oliver, no!" I squeal as he picks me up and dunks me into the salty waters. We're laughing and laughing and then…

(November 26, 2018. Lily: 26 and 27)

LILY: I slam my hands on the tile floor. "Stupid! Stupid!" I shout. I can't believe this! I wasn't stressed or unhappy! I was perfectly content and now I'm here! I hate my life! I scramble around and find jeans and a sweatshirt waiting for me on the counter with a note.

November 26, 2018.

Hey you! I'm in the den. Come and sit with me.

Love, Lily.

I walk down the hall, I've been here before. It's the house Oliver and I will buy in a matter of months.

"Hey!" A very chipper Lily greets me as I sit down and cross my legs.

I give a nomad grunt in return. She closes the book she was reading and leans forward in her seat.

"July 4th, right?"

I nod. "Yeah… do I miss much?"

She shakes her head. "You go back and to them you were gone for three minutes tops."

I sigh in relief. "I hate missing things."

"I know." She says.

Is it odd to hate yourself? I'm sitting here staring at myself, the one year older me, and I'm annoyed at her. She knows more then I do and has had more experiences then me. Although I know I'm going to have the same ones very soon, it still bothers me.

We sit in silence. I'm bored. "Where's Oliver?"

"He's out. I think shopping maybe."

"You don't know?"

"I just got back."

"From where?" I ask.

Older Lily glares at me. "Oh." I say getting the point. Man! I'm slow. I tap my foot on the floor and crack my knuckles. This is pointless. If Oliver was around at least we could kiss and fool around.

"So… how are things?"

She shrugs. "Some old, same old. You're going to have a CAT scan with one of Cindy's partners soon. That wasn't pleasant. And some other stuff too but I won't spoil it for you."

"Just tell." I sigh. "You know I hate surprises."

"I know but I'd really rather not talk about it ok?" She says quietly.

"Sorry… so it's that bad huh? Well add it to the list of other bad things that's happened. I can't help but wonder what good this time traveling has given me." I shake my head. The older Lily sniffs loudly.

"Just promise to always trust Oliver, ok?"

I look at her. "What's going to happen?"

"Please Lily don't just promise."

"NO! What happens! Tell me! Tell me right now!" I'm standing up and my face is hot. I feel dizzy and I run to her. "Tell me!" I scream reaching out to her.

"I can't…" She says and I'm gone.

(July 4, 2017. Lily and Oliver: 26)

OLIVER: I'm sitting on the red towel waiting for Lily to come back. Miley and Jake are next to me, we are very quiet.

"Ick! Sand in the mouth not pretty." I hear her say.

I turn around and Lily is wrapping a yellow towel around her and walking over to us. Her face is flushed but not in her usual 'I just did something naughty with an older you' flush.

"Where were you?" I ask putting an arm around her.

"November, arguing with myself." She says.

Suddenly I'm not in the party mood. We pack up and start walking home. As we slowly make our way down the sidewalk Lily spots a corner book store. "Come on! Let's go inside!" Miley and Jake groan as me and Lily push them inside.

LILY: I'm running my fingers across the spines of old books. History, Mystery, Fiction, Non-Fiction. I want to wrap myself up in their words. These poets and writers, all my long time friends.

I spot Oliver smirking at a small paper back book. I smile and at him and his sun burnt cheeks. His hair is shaggy and uneven; I take note that he needs a haircut. I'm about to walk over and kiss him but I see Miley looking as well.

Her eyes are mirroring my own desires. There is hunger in her. I can feel it radiating off of her. She has not seen me yet. I feel a sharp punch in the gut. What is this? I walk over to Oliver and kiss his cheek. He smiles at me.

"Look Lilly knock, knock jokes." His eyes are all knowing as he points to the book. It's his queer way of saying 'I picked you.'

"Knock, knock?" He chuckles.

"Who's there?"

(July 5, 2017. Lily and Oliver: 26)

OLIVER: We are lying in bed. I'm running my fingers over her cheeks and mouth. Her eyes are open and staring back at me with a quiet intensity. The curtains are pulled to; the only light is a dim bathroom one.

The sheets are off of us. It's a hot July morning. The fan spins over head in a gentle rhythmic knocking.

"What was it like? The first time you time traveled, what was it like?"

She ponders my question. "I've been traveling forever, but the one I really remember is when I went to Paris, I was seven."

"Really."

"Oui, I walked around the Musée d'Orsay for hours and hours, it was very late at night so no one was around. I was terrified yet peaceful all at the same time. I was worried my parents would wake up and find me gone. But I was enjoying myself."

"So what did you do?"

"I observed paintings and critiqued my favorites… you know the normal little kid thing." I laugh at her comment.

"Your favorite painting?"

I watch as she searches her memory, trying to figure out the answer. "Oh! La Balançoire, it's by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. I can remember just staring at it. All of his painting were so vibritant and full of life."

Lily trails off and looks to the ceiling then at me.

"Tell me Oliver, do ever think about what it would be like if I never could time travel? I mean you and I still would have gotten together."

I hate her question, part of me wishes she hadn't asked it.

"Sometimes, but I don't dwell on it Lily and neither should you."

"I know I shouldn't this is my life! I shouldn't linger on what could be, but I do Oliver, a lot."

I sigh. I have nothing to say.

…..

Well there's that. I'm overwhelmed by the comments I'm receiving Thank- you, thank-you. Leave your thoughts.

Lazy Days