Chapter 47: Building Trust, Breaking Barriers

Saturday, September 10th, 2005

Josh woke up the next morning, his mind still reeling from the events of the previous night. Katie—his Katie—was here, in this timeline, just like him. The reality of it sent waves of emotion through him. Relief, excitement, and even fear tangled together as he processed what this meant. As he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he replayed their reunion in his mind over and over again. She had come back, too. And now, they had to figure out what came next.

Pushing those thoughts aside for the moment, Josh rolled out of bed and started his morning workout routine. Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats helped to center his thoughts, allowing him to focus on something tangible rather than the overwhelming emotions racing through him. As he moved through his routine, his mind kept drifting back to Katie. The way she had looked at him, the way she had recognized him. She was the same girl he had loved, yet different—just as he was different from the man he had once been.

Finishing his workout, Josh took a quick shower, letting the hot water wash away his lingering tension. After drying off, he got dressed and headed to the kitchen to prepare a healthy breakfast—scrambled eggs with spinach, whole grain toast, and a protein smoothie. He ate in silence, contemplating everything that had changed. He and Katie were together again, but there were so many unknowns. What did this mean for their future? How much had her presence in this timeline altered things? And more importantly, how were they going to prove the truth to Judith and Hannah?

After finishing breakfast, Josh grabbed his keys and headed to the garage. He decided to take the Mazda today, enjoying the precision of the rotary engine as he backed out and made his way to the Mini Mart. The familiar drive allowed his mind to wander again, this time to Mr. Johnson. The old man had been more than just a mentor—he had been family. Losing him, even in this altered life, had left a void. Josh missed their conversations, the wisdom Leonard had imparted. The thought of him brought a tightness to Josh’s chest, but he pushed it aside, refocusing on the road ahead.

Arriving at the Mini Mart, he parked and walked inside, greeted by the familiar chime of the bell above the door. Mrs. Chang was at the counter, tallying up receipts. She looked up and smiled warmly.

“Good morning, Joshua. Right on time, as always.”

“Morning, Mrs. Chang,” Josh replied with a nod. “Need me to check in with Sensei before I start?”

She waved a hand. “He’s in the office. Go on back.”

Josh made his way through the back of the store, knocking lightly before stepping into the small office. Sensei Chang sat at the desk, flipping through an old book, his wise eyes lifting to meet Josh’s.

“Ah, Joshua. Good to see you. Something on your mind?”

Josh hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Yeah, Sensei. Would you be able to go over some personal things with me today? I need your advice.”

Sensei Chang studied him for a moment before nodding. “Of course. But first, do your work. A clear mind comes from discipline. We will talk after.”

Josh bowed slightly in respect before heading back out to the main floor. He started his usual tasks—stocking shelves, rotating inventory, and ensuring everything was in order. But his mind refused to quiet. The idea of proving his and Katie’s claims to Judith and Hannah weighed on him. He briefly considered what he had done for Mr. Johnson all those years ago—the lottery ticket. But as soon as the thought formed, he dismissed it. That wasn’t the way. If word ever got out about his knowledge, people would try to exploit it for their own gain. He had used it sparingly to help his mother back in the day, and to establish his financial security, but beyond that, he had no desire for excessive wealth or attention.

His investments were already more than enough. The $250,000 he had put into Apple stocks had grown to $1.8 million, and by 2024, it would be worth an estimated $82 million. His investment in Nvidia—$100,000—was currently valued at around $661,000, by 2024 it would skyrocket to approximately $182 million. If he wanted, he could be one of the wealthiest men alive, but what was the point? Money had never been his goal. He simply wanted security and the ability to live on his terms.

Mrs. Chang interrupted his thoughts when she approached him near the register. “Joshua, I need to step out for a bit and run some errands. Can you watch the front while I’m gone?”

Josh nodded. “Of course, Mrs. Chang. Take your time.”

As she left, Josh took his position at the counter. The store was quiet for the moment, giving his mind the opportunity to wander once again. The lottery idea was a dead end, so what else could he do to prove the truth to Judith and Hannah? Then, another thought struck him—his Death Wish ability. He could use it to look up major upcoming events, things that would be impossible to predict otherwise. Natural disasters, breaking news, sports outcomes—something concrete that, when it happened, would leave no doubt that he truly had knowledge of the future.

His mind raced through possibilities. Perhaps a headline from the coming weeks, a political shake-up, or even a local news story that would be too specific to dismiss as a lucky guess. He needed something impactful but not so disruptive that it would raise suspicion beyond Judith and Hannah. He just needed to decide what would work best. He tapped his fingers on the counter, deep in thought, as the minutes passed.

Mrs. Chang returned not long after, thanking Josh for holding down the front. With the store fully stocked and all his duties completed, Josh finally made his way back to the office, where Sensei Chang was waiting.

“Now,” Sensei said, closing his book. “Tell me what troubles you.”

Josh took a deep breath, readying himself to confide in the man who had been a guiding force in his life for so many years.

“Sensei ... it’s about Katie.”

Josh sat across from Sensei Chang in the small, cluttered office at the back of the Mini Mart. The scent of aged paper and faint incense lingered in the air, mixing with the ever-present aroma of the store’s inventory. Sensei Chang folded his hands in his lap, his sharp eyes studying Josh with the same quiet intensity that had always unnerved him as a boy. There was no hiding anything from the old man—not for long, anyway.

“Now, Josh,” Sensei said, his voice calm but firm. “Tell me what troubles you.”

Josh exhaled slowly, leaning forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Sensei ... last night was ... unexpected. Life-changing, actually.”

Sensei tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. “Life-changing? Explain.”

Josh ran a hand through his hair, collecting his thoughts before beginning. “I went to the football game again. I know—I shouldn’t have. But something kept pulling me there, and I went against my better judgment.” He let out a dry chuckle. “And I ended up sitting with Katie’s mother and sister. Talking with them. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but once it did, I couldn’t make myself leave.”

Sensei Chang remained silent, nodding for Josh to continue.

“Then I saw her.” Josh’s voice softened as he leaned back, staring past his teacher as if seeing Katie all over again. “She was on the field, playing in the marching band. And when our eyes met, Sensei ... it was like something clicked into place. Like all the waiting, all the struggling to move forward without her—it was over.”

“She recognized you?” Sensei Chang asked, a hint of curiosity threading through his usually neutral tone.

Josh nodded. “Not just that. She came back too. She’s a time traveler, like me. She remembers everything. Our life together, our marriage, the accident ... all of it.”

Sensei Chang’s expression didn’t shift, but his posture straightened slightly. “That is ... significant.”

Josh let out a breathless laugh. “You think? Sensei, it changes everything. I’ve spent nine years thinking I was alone in this, believing I was the only one who had been sent back. But now she’s here, and I—”

He broke off, rubbing a hand over his face. “I don’t know what to do. She is here and remembers everything from the first life, and I am not sure if I’m worthy of this second chance. But when she looks at me, like she did in our first lives, I can tell she still loves me just as much as before. For her, it has only been a few weeks, but I’ve spent the past 37 years dealing with the loss.”

Sensei Chang hummed thoughtfully before speaking. “And do you believe you should stay away now?”

Josh hesitated, then shook his head. “No. I can’t. I won’t.”

A small smile ghosted across Sensei’s lips. “Then why do you hesitate?”

Josh sighed, his voice quieter. “Because I don’t know if I deserve this. I caused the accident, Sensei. I killed them—Katie and our child. And now, I’ve been given this chance to see her again, to change things, but ... what if I fail her again? What if I make another mistake that costs us everything?”

Sensei Chang’s gaze held steady, his voice carrying an unwavering wisdom. “You carry this burden heavily, Josh. But tell me—if you were truly unworthy, would you be here now? Would you have been given this chance at all?”

Josh swallowed, his throat tightening. “I don’t know.”

“I think you do,” Sensei countered. “You fear failure. That is natural. But fear does not define you. What you do next does.”

Josh sat in silence, absorbing his teacher’s words. He had spent so long believing he was unworthy of happiness, of redemption. But now, Katie was back. The woman he had loved and lost—she still loved him. And she deserved more than his self-doubt.

Sensei Chang studied him for a long moment before nodding. “You must prove yourself to Katie’s family. You said they are skeptical. How do you plan to convince them?”

Josh let out a slow breath. “I was considering using my foreknowledge of major upcoming events—things that would happen soon, but haven’t yet. Something they could see with their own eyes.”

Sensei Chang’s brow furrowed slightly. “A dangerous path. Knowing the future is a burden, Josh. Once you reveal such knowledge, you cannot take it back. Are you prepared for the consequences?”

Josh swallowed hard. “I have to be. If I don’t prove it, they may never believe us. And if they don’t believe us, it makes things more difficult for Katie. I need her family on our side.”

Sensei studied him for a long moment before nodding. “Then choose carefully. Think of something that cannot be mistaken for coincidence, but does not alter the course of events in a dangerous way. A minor event, but verifiable.”

Josh nodded slowly, the gears in his mind already turning. “I’ll be careful, Sensei. I promise.”

Sensei Chang’s lips quirked up in a rare smile. “I know you will, Josh. You always carry the weight of your choices heavily. Just do not let that weight crush you.”

Josh exhaled deeply, feeling some of the tension in his chest ease. “Thanks, Sensei. You always know what to say.”

The old man chuckled. “That is because I have lived long enough to learn when to speak and when to listen. Now, go. You have much to think about, and I suspect this is only the beginning.”

Josh stood and bowed slightly. “Thank you, Sensei.”

Josh left the Mini Mart and got into his Mazda, the hum of the engine a familiar comfort as he made his way home. His mind was still reeling from his conversation with Sensei Chang, but even more so from the knowledge that Katie was here, that she had come back just like he had. It felt surreal, like a dream he was terrified of waking up from.

Arriving at his house, he decided a shower might help clear his head. The hot water cascaded down his body, soothing his tense muscles as he tried to process the whirlwind of emotions from the past twenty-four hours. Just as he was stepping out, towel in hand, a firm knock echoed through the house. Assuming it was his mother, he didn’t bother dressing, instead wrapping the towel around his waist and heading for the front door.

As he opened it, still rubbing his damp hair dry, he was met with an unexpected sight—Katie, Judith, and Hannah standing on his doorstep.

Katie’s eyes roamed over him, widening as a slow, appreciative grin spread across her face. “Well, damn,” she said, unabashedly looking him up and down. “I like what I see. Wow.”

Josh felt his face flush, the heat rivaling the warmth of his recent shower. Before he could react, Hannah smirked, crossing her arms. “Sis, can I take him for a test run first?”

“Hannah!” Judith scolded, though there was an undeniable amusement in her voice. “Both of you, behave.”

Josh, now painfully aware of how exposed he was, tightened the towel around his waist and cleared his throat. “Uh—give me a second. I, uh—wasn’t expecting company.”

Katie giggled, enjoying his discomfort a little too much. “We came to interrogate you. Make sure you’re not some secret serial killer.”

Josh rolled his eyes playfully. “Well, come on in. Just ... give me a minute to put on some clothes.” He stepped aside, allowing them to enter before disappearing down the hallway toward his bedroom.

Judith and Hannah exchanged a glance, noting how easily Josh had let them in, completely unconcerned about them snooping around his house. It was a rare kind of trust, one that was telling in and of itself.

As Josh dressed, the women took the opportunity to explore. The living room was neat, the furniture well-kept but hardly used, save for a worn leather chair that had clearly seen better days. Moving into the kitchen, they were surprised at how organized everything was, from the spotless counters to the perfectly arranged pantry.

Hannah peeked inside the fridge, raising an eyebrow. “This man lives on health food. No beer, no junk food. Just fruits, vegetables, lean meats...” She shut the door and turned to Katie. “Are we sure he’s real?”

Katie chuckled. “Josh was always the organized one. But this?” She gestured around. “The meal planning? The extreme cleanliness? That’s new.”

Continuing their exploration, they found themselves in a room that felt like stepping into another time. The office was a tribute to history, with framed war photos, military medals, and a prominently displayed shadow box filled with accolades.

Katie sat at the desk, running her fingers over old documents. “I think this was Leonard’s study,” she said softly. “And Josh left it exactly the way it was when he passed.”