A Change in Plans
Copyright© 2006 by Asa Strong
Chapter 18: The Last Goodbye
Science Fantasy Story: Chapter 18: The Last Goodbye - George Rice, a dying, emotionally detached scientist who plans to stage his own accidental death after losing his wife and receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. At the brink of suicide, he is intercepted by a higher being named Alama, who offers him a chance to “right a terrible wrong.” George accepts and dies—only to be reborn into another world and another body.
Caution: This Science Fantasy Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Ma/ft Consensual Romantic Science Fiction Isekai First
“Grandpa, Grandpa! Let me sit on your lap.”
It’s hard to ignore a seven-year-old, particularly when it is your great-granddaughter.
I offered her my hand, and she grasped it and climbed into my lap. I didn’t have much strength these days, and picking her up was out of the question.
Kelta settled herself into a comfortable position on my lap and then asked me, “Grandpa, are you going to the party today?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m getting too old for parties anymore.” I said, teasing her.
With a pout on her face, she looked up at me, “Grandpa, you have to go to the party; it’s for you!”
Her tone of voice caused me to laugh, with the predictable result that I broke into a rasping cough. My breathing had started to become labored a few months back, and whenever I exerted myself, a hacking, raspy cough was the result.
I managed to get my breathing under control and answered, “I guess that I’ll have to show up then. Now run along, go play with the other children. Grandpa is not feeling well and needs to rest a little while.”
Kelta gave me a kiss on my cheek, climbed down, and then ran to the square to play with the children who were there; many of them were her cousins.
After Kelta had left, I sat there thinking, “Eighty years, that’s too long to live.”
As old men do, I let my mind wander back in time, remembering all of the events in my life that had meaning to me.
My wives came to mind immediately. Rocha, how I loved that woman! I still missed her even with the passing of fifteen years. She had borne me two children: my son Seth and a daughter named Barta. Both had become fine people in their own right and now had grandchildren of their own. I remember the morning I awoke and found her still body lying next to me in bed, the ever-present smile still upon her lips.
Celle was my jewel. Her quiet joy in the life of our family could not be replaced when she died two years ago. I mourned the loss of her in my life, but was relieved that the arthritic pain she endured for so many years was finally over. She had given me five fine children: three sons and two daughters.
Kata, my little gem, still graced me with her presence. Her enthusiasm for life was still strong within her, even though her body was starting to fail. Together we had produced seven children; all of them seemed to be endued with her zest for living.
The king would be here today. It would be nice to see him again. He, like me, was getting a bit long in the tooth. I was surprised he made the long trip from the capital.
It had been a long road for him. Five years of constant war and combat were needed before he was able to subdue the renegade nobles and outlaw bandit gangs. The first two of those years, he spent in our valley, sending out gorilla raiding parties to confuse and destroy his enemy’s morale.
I never did regret my decision to keep myself from becoming a part of his retinue. My role as an advisor and tactician, in those early years, proved to be much more valuable. I chuckled at the thought that he was never seen without the sword we presented to him so long ago.
I was broken from my reminiscing by Kata, “Donta, I brought you some tea.”
Taking the tea from her, I responded, “Thank you, my wife.”
“Donta, you must not do too much today. It is hot, and your health is not good. Please don’t try to do anything that will harm you.”
“Kata, my love, I plan on sitting right here on the porch, out of the sun, and enjoying today’s festivities.”
“See that you do!” She said, and with a kiss on my cheek, she walked back into the house.
I sat and sipped my tea and watched the children play in the square. The sound of their voices floating across the yard was a joy for me to hear.