Chapter 5

He performed his morning ritual and tossed the rock. He trudged back to work with little enthusiasm and punched up the camera display on his computer screen. He glanced at the after dimensions and structure of the rock. His eyes grew wide. It matched! His heart raced. He looked around to see if anybody could see what he saw. He quickly saved the grid parameters so he could reset the grid to this configuration. The next two days, he tested other rocks. Each time the rock passed through the grid in the same condition. It was time to test the grid at another level.

He took a pink plastic Easter egg and put an uncoated steel ball bearing inside it. He glued the egg shut and wrapped it in tape. He coated the egg in the black dust and in the morning he tossed it at the grid. At work, he found the egg on the camera. It was undamaged. He was annoyed that he forgot to have the computer insert an x-ray camera into the grid yesterday. He punched in the commands to activate the special camera. He verified that his created programs masked from the main monitor screens that the x-ray camera came online. It took an hour for the camera to move into the position he needed.

He glanced over at Monday. She caught his eye and gave him a big, happy smile. He still needed for her to be distracted with him so she would not pry into what he was doing. He stood up and walked over to her. He exchanged a quick kiss on the lips with her.

"Want to go camping this weekend?" he asked.

"Sure," she said.

"Good. Is it too early for your lunch break?"

She glanced at the clock. It was barely nine.

"Two lunches today?" he said.

After sex with Monday, he returned to his computer. The x-ray camera was in position. He aimed it at the Easter egg, turned it on, and waited for the data to appear on his screen. He decided to step outside for fresh air while he waited for the data to download. He gave Monday's butt a rub as he walked by her.

Outside, he considered when to leave if the egg results were good. When would be the right time? What conditions? What preparations did he need? Should he go with nothing or should he try to take some stuff with him? So many questions that needed critical answers.

He slowly poured over the x-ray data. Every result was coming back perfectly! The uncoated ball bearing was in prime condition. He double and triple checked the data.

He jumped when Monday spoke.

"Sorry to scare you," she apologized with a laugh. "What are you so focused on?"

"Just looking outside through the cameras. Same old stuff," he lied.

"Want to have a second lunch now?" she asked.

"Maybe we should save up our energy for camping."

"You always have plenty of energy," she responded. "You should go to lunch now."

"Yes, ma'am"

They headed to the room to make love again.

David researched on the internet how life was in the 1880s. He requested and read many books from the library on how people lived in those days.

Filled with information, David converted his covered wagon into more of a prairie schooner. He added secret compartments so he could carry more than a normal wagon could hold. Most importantly he motorized the wagon with a small quiet electric engine, so he could drive it. His horses couldn't pull his modified wagon when fully loaded, but he needed the animals to show the appearance of pulling. He included a remote control to drive the wagon while he walked beside it. He added struts for off-road suspension, since everything in 1880 was off-road. He hid everything modern looking within wood framing. The wagon looked more rugged and was built more solid than a true schooner, but it looked authentic enough for the time. He read about the problems settlers had with rivers, so he customized sections to help the wagon float because there would be few bridges. Lastly he coated the entire wagon in the black dust. The wagon stayed in his garage, since rain would wash off the dust plus he wanted to avoid questions on why he turned his wagon black.

He ordered things he needed. He obtained additional propane canisters. He hid wood boards and PVC pipes in the wagon. He acquired cordless power tools. The power tools would only last so long and would be no good once they were drained, but it would give him a quick start on building a home or shelter or whatever. He included regular manual tools for when his power ones were drained of energy.

The only thing left to do was wait for the right timing.

During the months David converted his wagon, he kept a regular work schedule and still kept Monday "distracted". While David learned about life in the 1880's, Monday spent free time on the internet and reading magazines also. She perused wedding websites and bridal magazines. She would turn 27 soon and her expectations were high.

David left work early to prepare Monday's home for her birthday. Twenty-seven red roses awaited her along with grilled chicken and fish and assorted side dishes. Soft candles lit the dinner table. It was a perfectly romantic evening.

After dinner, they retired to her den to enjoy light petting and caressing.

"I have something for you," he said.

"You do?" She hardly contained her excitement.

He pulled a jewelry box out of his pocket.

Monday's heart leapt. Visions rapidly danced in her mind about being dressed in white. Ten different styles of wedding dresses flashed in her eyes. She trembled as she took the box.

Earrings.

"They're beautiful," she said with faked enthusiasm. The earrings were beautiful, but at this moment the plainest engagement ring would be the most beautiful thing in the world.

Later during sex, David noted her unresponsiveness and stopped in the middle of their activity.

"Are you okay?" he asked

"I hoped to hear some news today and I haven't," she said in half-truth.

"Family?"

"Just hold me and make love to me," she answered. Tonight was the first time she didn't orgasm during sex with David.

After he left that night, she cried. For the first time in Monday's life, love was more than just sex. She didn't intend for that to happen, but it did. David acted like he loved her. Did he? Was it just an act? Maybe he was no different than any other man? Maybe all he wanted to do was get between her legs and deposit his sperm? He knew he could ask her straight up for sex, didn't he? That was how most relationships worked in Timetown, yet David didn't do that so he must love her!

Wait. When had she heard him say, "I love you"? Only a couple of times? He said, "I love you" to his wife all the time.

The ringing phone broke her out of her despair. It was David showing concern and showing he loved her.

"I'll be fine," she said as their short conversation wrapped up. "Thank you for caring about me. Sorry, I wasn't more fun tonight."

She listened to his response.

"I love you," she said.

She heard him say "Me too"

"I love you," she repeated.

"Me too," he responded again.

"I love you," she said a third time.

"I love you, too," he finally said.

She hung up.

Did he love her or did he just like to make love to her? Was he just using her? She would find out if he was interested in marriage. This was the twenty-first century after all. She didn't have to wait for him. She would ask him.

The weekend was the town's Christmas in July festival. Monday was surprised to have a knock on her door at 7 am Saturday morning. She opened the door to David dressed as Santa.

"Ho! Ho! Ho!" he said, stepping inside. "Have you been a good girl or a bad girl?"

"Doesn't Santa use the chimney?" she teased.

"Santa is borrowing the suit and must bring it back in good condition."