The Person I Am Today

By Thomas Biehl

Some people don't know they are time travelers, because every time they change something in the past their memories get rewritten. Ollie finds out his girlfriend has disappeared moments before he intended to propose to her. Brad intends to win the favor of his boss by meddling in his daughter’s life only to have the tables turned on him. Ketch discovers he is going to be a father and struggles to better his life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Biehl
• Release date: Aug 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005221638

Thomas Biehl

Writer, teacher, parent, and petty dabbler in theoretical physics, metaphysical philosophy, and abnormal psychology

Book preview

Oliver Lively hadn’t existed until that moment; at least, not as the person he knew himself to be. Ollie released the breath he had been holding in, relaxed the tension in his muscles, and opened his eyes. The green-gray walls of the hallway outside his apartment came into view. Ollie had paused there a moment to gather himself, to prepare for the life altering possibility before him. The door to apartment 204D, the home he shared with Calista, the amazing woman that had been his entire world for the past six months, stood beside him. Having performed his calming technique, Ollie assured himself he was in fact ready; yet his pulse still pounded out reckless caution flowing through his veins.

Ollie reached inside the pocket of his blue scrubs. He wrapped his hand around the little black jewelry box hidden there, drawing confidence from the future with Calista it promised. Ollie ran the fingers of his other hand through his mop of wheat colored hair and stared at the door with his ocean green, hopeful eyes. He took a deep breath and gathered his strength. Ollie unlocked the door. He opened it. Expecting to see Calista, he looked to the couch in the living room.

It was empty. Calista wasn’t sitting there, destressing after work, as she usually did. Relieved, for a brief moment, Ollie swung the front door closed behind him and took off his jacket. He took another deep breath; and, ready once again, he called out, Hey babe, sorry I’m late getting home. But can you come in here for a sec’.

No answer came. Ollie thought maybe Calista had also had to work late; but the complete, menacing silence in the apartment worried him. He called again, Babe, you home?

And again, no answer. He glanced around the living room and then the little kitchen; nothing seemed out of place. The uncertain tension continued to eat at him, though. She should be home. Ollie called out a third time, Calista, honey.

Still, nothing. Ollie made his way to the back bedroom they shared together. The room stared at him; bed made, floor cleared of dirty clothes, all as it should be. Ready to dismiss the worry taking over his brain as a figment of his overexcited imagination, Ollie turned to head back to the living room. It was then he noticed the closet doors standing open. One of them had simply forgotten to shut the closet that morning, he rationalized. He walked over to close those mirrored folding doors. His hand touched the small silver doorknob, but stayed there, frozen in place by what he saw.

Calista’s side of the closet was empty; shirts, dresses, shoes, even hangers; gone. Ollie stared at the blank space as it drained the life out of all his dreams. His mind raced, seeking to avoid the obvious conclusion. He clung to desperate theories; she had gone on a trip, she had spilled something on all her clothes, she had become a nudist and threw all of them away.

Ollie slowly walked over to her dresser and pulled open the drawers; every single one of them mocked his vain hope with their emptiness. Silent, overcome, Ollie left the bedroom to sit on the living room couch, his head in his hands. Deep breath; there had to be a reasonable explanation for all of this, Ollie told himself. He pulled out his phone and called her number. A high-pitched beep sounded, and without feeling or comfort, a robotic female voice said, The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number you dialed and try your call again. Thank you.

Ollie knew the number was right in his phone. He had called it thousands of times, but he tried again, anyway, in the now desperate longing desire that it wasn’t. The same mechanical voice repeated its message, the same voice made it real, gave him no choice but to face the reality in front of him. For some reason Calista had left him; without warning, took all her belongings and canceled her cell phone.

Ollie checked through the texts, emails, and social networks on his phone for anything from or about her. No messages, and her most recent posts were from early last night. He found nothing, nothing which left him with any idea why she had left or where she had gone. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes. Why had she done this? Was it something he did or said, something he didn’t do? What was he going to do now? He looked up from his phone to glance around the apartment, lost in a hopeless search for answers that had led him nowhere. Then, his eyes stopped on the two screws in the wall across from the couch. That morning when he had left for work, those screws had held up their flat screen TV. It was gone.

Ollie’s denial persisted; Calista couldn’t possibly have taken their TV, the first thing they had bought when they moved in together. His reasoning now even sounded weak to himself. Ollie felt he had no choice but to accept this further descent into his downward spiral. He got up and searched the rest of the apartment, just in case. Several items of value had also disappeared; including their tablet computer, the Italian espresso machine, and not to mention the expensive watch Calista had given him for his birthday.

The frantic numbness of emotional overload crippled Ollie. He felt everything and nothing all at once. At a loss, Ollie retreated back to the couch where his incomplete thoughts drifted in and out. When he found a moment of control, Ollie called her work and texted all her friends. The friends had not heard from her, and Calista’s work could only tell him she had not shown up for her shift that day. This time, with the slow determination of someone attempting to maintain what little sanity remained to them, Ollie combed through everything he could access on his phone. Eventually, an email his bank had sent earlier that day caught his attention; the tagline read: Account Closed. Once opened, the email informed him that since the joint savings account he and Calista shared had a zero balance, which was against the bank’s policies, the account had been closed.

That morning there had been close to ten thousand dollars in that account, all the money the couple had been saving up for their ‘future’ together. Calista must have emptied out the account. It had been a joint account, so technically she hadn’t done anything illegal; but that knowledge did little to dispel the hollowness consuming Ollie. His breathing came out in short gasps. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears. Up until that point, Ollie felt that, under the circumstances, he had been more or less keeping it together. Now, he thought this must be what it felt like to have a panic attack.

It took several minutes of staring into the nothingness in front of him before everything came back into focus for Ollie, and several more for him to calm down enough for rational thought. Once he could achieve that, he had the sense to check the rest of their accounts together. Calista had overdrawn their checking account and maxed out their credit cards to the tune of twenty thousand dollars. Half an hour ago, Ollie would have sworn he knew the depths of Calista’s soul. But now, the realization that he hadn’t really known her at all pounded the walls of his skull like a hammer.

Ollie looked to the table in the small kitchen where they had eaten dinner together every night, and in fact, where Calista had first asked him to have a joint bank account together. At the time, she had been so convincing, and he had agreed. After that, putting her on the rest of his accounts had seemed like the natural thing to do.

Ollie shook his head; he couldn’t believe how stupid he had been. He gave a humorless chuckle which quickly gave way to barely contained madness. The seriousness of the situation closed in on him. How was he going to pay his bills? Where was he going to get the money to pay back this debt? The torrential storm of thoughts and emotions mounted and threatened to drown Ollie. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tensed every muscle in his body.

The homemade Alfredo sauce lacked something… taste. The fettuccine noodles were undercooked, or maybe overcooked, something like that. The meal, however, had been prepared for him by Calista, so Ollie ate it. He looked up and gave the love of his life a smile as he chewed, but she didn’t see it. Calista, lost deep in thought, twirled a strand of her golden-brown hair around her finger. Those dazzling hazel eyes were far away somewhere. Once he managed to swallow the food, Ollie said, Hey babe, you okay.

Do you know why most couples get divorced? Calista asked.

Look, I don’t know what you found on my phone, but I did not sleep with that woman, Ollie said straight faced. Calista didn’t laugh, didn’t even acknowledge his attempt at sarcasm.

Money.

Okay, sure, what are you getting at Cal?

We should get a joint bank account.

After we’re married?

Now, Calista said and before Ollie could object, continued, If we’re going to be together forever, we need to be open with each other and share everything. Why not start now? That is, unless you don’t trust me.

Those hazel eyes gleamed with the expectation of a positive response. Ollie, though, felt like he faced a tough decision. He loved Calista and trusted her with his life, but something deep down inside told him this was a horrible idea. Irrationally, almost like he had already been down that road, Ollie somehow knew having a joint bank account with Calista before they got married would end badly. Full of conviction, Ollie said, It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just… I want the day we get married to be special. I want it to be more than just signing a piece of paper. So, if it’s okay with you I’d like to leave some things the way they are to make the day we join our lives together even more special.

I didn’t know you felt that strongly about it.

I do.

Okay, we’ll wait.

Ollie released the breath he had been holding in, relaxed his tensed muscles, and opened his eyes. He didn’t understand the email; how had his bank account been emptied. Clearly Calista must have had something to do with it, but they had never gotten a joint bank account. How did she do it? Ollie looked up the customer service number for his bank and called them. After selecting various options from numerous menus and being put on hold, he got to an actual person, who said his name was Rob but sounded foreign. Rob said, Thank you for choosing AmeriBank. How can I help you today?

Yes, I received an email saying my account has been closed due to having a zero balance, but I haven’t touched it recently, Ollie replied.

Okay, just let me get some of your information, Rob said. Ollie gave Rob his account number, address, and date of birth. Then, tense silence held the line for a matter of moments. Yes, it says here that the entire amount in the account was withdrawn and transferred to a different account.

What account?

I’m afraid it doesn’t say.

Well… I didn’t authorize that.

Sir, are you the only one with access to this account?

Yes.

Hold on, Rob said, followed by more silence. Ollie thought for one glorious moment that it must have been a simple error, a mistake. It could be fixed, and his money would be returned. Rob said, At 9:32 this morning, an unrecognized device attempted to login to your account using the correct username and password. This prompted a series of security questions, which were correctly answered, so the person gained access to your account and must have performed these actions.

What were the security questions?

Your mother’s maiden name, the street you grew up on, and your first vehicle, Rob replied. Ollie shook his head in frustrated amazement. Calista could have easily answered all those questions. Not only had she left him, but she had robbed him blind. Sir, are you saying that this person wasn’t you.

That’s exactly what I’m saying,

Hold on, I will connect you to our identity theft division.

Lots more talking, being put on hold, having to repeat the same information countless times, a separate call to the police, and a promise to come in to file a report later, Ollie sat there on the couch staring off into space still numb from equal parts of shock and disbelief.

When he could move again, Ollie checked the fridge. He laughed in joyless amusement that at least Calista hadn’t taken his beer. He took out the whole six pack. There on the couch, wallowing in his incredible misfortune, Ollie drank every last drop. He passed out there, curled up on the cushions, still wearing his scrubs.

The next day, Ollie sat in Finn Carson’s room at the Green Fields Long-Term Care Facility where he worked as an RN. His shift finished over half an hour ago; Ollie had ended up in the old guy’s room, losing horribly at chess. The fake scent of a spring meadow misted into the room from a dispenser on the wall at regular intervals, permeating everything. What little furniture and other decorations Finn had been allowed to bring with him had been placed strategically around the small space.

The room attempted but ultimately failed to make its occupants forget they were at a nursing home. The same ironic, dull and dreary flower pattern wallpaper lined the room, and the same buttons and devices on the wall behind the bed gave it that vague hospital feeling. Still, it was Ollie’s favorite room in the place. Finn, an elderly resident, had slick grey black hair; and his green eyes still retained an intelligent piercing quality in his old age. A faded blue bathrobe covered the pajama bottoms and white undershirt he perpetually wore. Finn had Ollie down to his king, a rook, and three pawns.

… so this bank manager tells me the good news is that they are going to reimburse the money Calista cleaned out of my bank account, but the bad news is they are going to freeze my account pending a 90-day investigation, said Ollie, recounting his meeting at the bank earlier that day.

They think you were in on it? Finn asked.

That’s what I said. But this guy claimed it wasn’t anything personal, simply bank policy; when the perpetrator is in any way related to the account holder, they have to rule out any chance of fraud.

So, they’re keeping control of the money until they can be sure you’re trying to double down.

Basically, Ollie replied.

How are they going to be sure.

I have no idea.

What about the overdrawn checking account and credit cards? Finn asked.

All through the same bank, so also pending an investigation… Ollie trailed off, the frustration obvious in his voice.

What do the police think?

They seemed genuinely concerned with my problem but told me there was little chance of me ever seeing my money again.

This is Calista they’re dealing with, not James Bond. She didn’t just disappear into the wind. They’ve got to be doing something.

They put out an official notice to all of the federal agencies and are going to do a full investigation, but the police officer I talked to said few of these kinds of cases ever get solved, unless she does something incredibly stupid like try to use her own ID to board a plane or something.

Well, let’s hope she’s the incredibly stupid type.

Right, Ollie said; then, downcast, added, I… I don’t know what to think about her anymore.

I am truly sorry, kid, Finn said. He gave Ollie him a weak smile and nod. Finn watched his face for any clues to his condition. Ollie looked to the board and considered his next move, in the game if not in life. He knew that chess players were supposed to plan their moves out ahead of time, have a strategy. Ollie did that sometimes, but mostly he reacted on impulse, did what felt right in the moment. Maybe, that was his problem. Maybe he should plan things out more. The older man seemed to be reading his thoughts; Finn asked, What are you going to do now?

Ollie took a deep breath and raised his eyebrows in thought. He said, Pick up the pieces, I guess. I’m going to have to find a cheaper place to live and try not to go into default on my student loans. I…

Penny chose that moment to poke her head into the room. The blonde, from a box, thirty something woman was a nurse there and Ollie’s coworker. Her face a mask of concern, Penny said, Oh, Ollie, I just heard. I’m so sorry.

Thanks, Ollie said

Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do?

No, I’ll be alright?

Okay, hang in there, Penny said. She gave him a hopeful smile, waved to Fin, and left.

Fin, who had been observing the whole exchange in silence, chose that moment to speak up. He said, in a rare serious tone, Oliver, can I give you some advice?

Don’t you go getting all sentimental on me too, old man.

I’m not the sentimental type; but look, I think you’re… too nice of a guy, sometimes.

Really, like when, Ollie said full of disbelief.

Just now.

What are you talking about?

Penny, wanting to jump you and you turning her down.

How is that what you got out of that conversation?

She asked, ‘do you need anything’. You say, ‘I just need someone to talk too’ or ‘I don’t think I should be alone right now’. Then the two of you go out for coffee or something and…

You need your meds adjusted, old man.

Maybe, but I know what I saw.

Fin, Ollie said, first exasperated and then serious and grave, Have you ever wondered if your life could have turned out differently, if you could have turned out differently?

Not really, I am and always have been the picture of perfection, Finn said, his voice thick with overindulgent sarcasm. Ollie laughed half-heartedly but then thought about his life at that moment being different, about being engaged to Calista, about being happy. Maybe if he had been different, she wouldn’t have left him. Finn responded, Why do you ask?

No reason, said Ollie. He finally moved one of his chess pieces, Checkmate.

Surprised, Finn glanced down at the board. His king was in check, and he had no moves left. He said, How in the world?

Ollie took a moment to revel in victory. Then, he thought about one of the biggest decisions in his entire life. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tensed the muscles in his body.

Chapter Two

Brad let out the breath he had been holding in, relaxed his tensed muscles, and opened his eyes. Sitting at his desk in the small co-manager’s office, Brad glanced down at the computer screen, unfinished purchase reports glared back at him. His walkie sat on the table/counter next to his half-finished cup of coffee. Dressed for the job he wanted, Brad wore a royal blue button-down shirt, grey slacks, and a blue striped tie. His neatly trimmed hair, dark and shiny from product, had been styled to appear messy. Brad took a sip of his coffee and returned to typing.

The store manager, Charlie, popped his head into the office. The older man had a visibly thinning head of hair, inexplicably chose to wear glasses even though he had the money to afford laser eye surgery and had the appeal of a caring uncle that may or may not be putting on an act. Charlie said, Hey Brad, Jenna told me how you handled that situation at the service desk earlier. Nice work.

Brad put that salesman smile on his closely shaven and lotion smooth face, turned to Charlie, and replied, Thanks boss. It was nothing really.

That’s not what I heard. Jenna said this lady wanted to return a kid’s bike that she had obviously ran over with her car, said she even had her kid give some phony story about having an accident, but there wasn’t a scratch on him.

Right, sadly she had clearly gotten him to lie about it.

Then you talked her into exchanging the bike for a new one and buying the kid some pads and a helmet in case he has any other ‘accidents’.

I was merely concerned about her son’s safety, Brad replied, with forced sincerity.

Right, Charlie chuckled, Well, anyway good work.

Thanks, have a good night, sir.

You as well, Charlie said. He nodded to Chris, the only other person in the management office, and left for the night. Chris was an assistant manager who Brad considered one of, if not his closest friend. He had the same business attire and stylized appearance as Brad but wore them both with the unease of a person less sure of himself. Chad had heard the whole conversation and, of course, chose to comment on the exchange.

Kiss ass, Chris said.

What, Brad replied sheepishly.

You know he’s not going to give you the recommendation.

Yeah, yeah, we’ll see, Brad said. It was one of those bits of information in a workplace that no one was supposed to know, yet everyone had found out about. Super-Mart had selected the site for a new store in a nearby town and would begin construction soon. Sticking to their adage of promoting from within, they had asked Charlie to recommend one of his two co-managers to be the store manager for the new location. If Brad got that recommendation, he would become the youngest store manager in Super-Mart history and be on a sure-fire track to corporate.

Despite Brad’s hopes and dreams, most of the staff agreed that the recommendation would probably go to the other co-manager, Kenny. Kenny had decades of experience with the company, had been with Charlie a long time, and the two of them were so close people thought they were brothers. But not to worry, Brad had a plan.

Don’t tell me, said Chris, You have a plan.

Yep.

An ill thought out, probably going to fail plan.

Yep.

Okay, let’s hear it.

You remember Charlie’s daughter?

Kathy?

Katie.

Whatever.

Anyway, I overheard the boss talking about her new boyfriend. Apparently, the guy is a real piece of work, comes off as horribly narcissistic and treats everyone around him like crap, Katie included.

Huh, reminds me of someone I know… Chris said pointedly.

Right, Brad replied. He gave his friend the middle finger. Well, naturally Charlie doesn’t like the guy, but feels as though his hands are tied, has to let his daughter make her own mistakes, that kind of thing. But… what if Katie and her boyfriend were to… suddenly breakup, don’t you think Charlie would be very grateful to the source of said breakup.

Okay, but how are you going to break them up?

Still working on that bit, Brad said. He furrowed his brow in reflection. Your brother-in-law’s a cop, right?

Later that night, Brad sat at a bar that according to her social media posts, Katie and her boyfriend frequented. Brad had convinced himself finding out such information was research, not creepy stalking. Either way, he now sat in the back of the dimly lit bar by himself, sipped slowly on a beer, and scanned over everyone who came into the place. After a while, Brad began to feel more and more like the villain in a bad horror movie, waiting for his hapless victim. He tried to listen to the fast-paced heavy bass music over the buzz of yelled conversation, but his mind kept coming back to the problem at hand, breaking up, what for all he knew was, a happy couple.

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