A Discovery of Time and Space

By Lesley L. Smith

Imagine you're an ordinary college student, going to classes and hanging out with friends. And then you discover you're anything but ordinary...Can Tiffani Taylor travel in time? Can she travel in space? Between worlds? Is she even human? With the help of her friends, Tiffani answers all her questions, and the answers are even more exciting than she imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lesley L. Smith
• Release date: Oct 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781950198696

Lesley L. Smith

All right, I confess! I love physics. I blame my misspent youth reading science fiction by the likes of Asimov, Heinlein, and Clarke. Not surprisingly, I also love science fiction. I grew up in Missouri, in a family of overeducated overachievers. Following in their footsteps, I've earned far too many degrees including an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Elementary Particle Physics and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction. Hmm? I may have a split personality. The evidence shows I've authored or co-authored many scientific articles, and am a longtime member of the American Physical Society. I'm also a founder and editor of the speculative fiction ezine http://www.electricspec.com and a longtime member of the Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers of America. Both sides of my personality live in Boulder, Colorado where I do physics by day and science fiction by night. Please visit me on the web at http://www.lesleylsmith.com.

Book preview

PART 1: A DISCOVERY

Chapter One

Being a goddess of the universes is a tough job, but someone's gotta' do it, right?

It all started innocently enough...

I stood in the warm sunshine, a light breeze ruffling my hair. I seemed to be surrounded by rolling hills covered with rippling grasses and wildflowers. The grasses covered all the shades from green to tan and were about a foot tall. Near me, there were a bunch of cheerful yellow daisy-like blossoms, with flowers in shades of white and pink further away. But... Where was I? I slowly rotated. To the west, I spied the familiar shapes of the Flatirons, the foothill mountains abutting Boulder. But where was the town? I rotated again but could see nothing man-made, no buildings, no roads, not even any people. This wasn't right. In fact, this was very, very wrong. I started to feel dizzy...

Get up! A strange female voice yelled in my ear. The voice was deep and gravelly; I didn't recognize it. At the same time, someone tugged my arm.

I opened my eyes to find I lay in the middle of the street, the pavement warm even through my clothing, and a stranger was pulling me up. What the hell? I scrambled to my feet. A gray-haired woman jogged away from me. Wait! I called after her. What happened? Who are you?

She didn't answer, turn around or even slow down.

I was in the crosswalk in the street outside the physics building at the university, surrounded by students on their way to class.

It was a beautiful summer morning; the sun was shining, and a breeze was blowing.

A car drove through the crosswalk, narrowly missing the other pedestrians and me in the crosswalk. The crowd was not happy about it. I heard various exclamations accompanied by rude gestures.

Tiffani! Tiffani! my BFF Rory called from behind me. Rory totally reminded me of a Disney princess with her long wavy red hair, smooth, creamy skin, turned-up nose, and, yes, proclivity for singing. I'm serious, singing! And don't think I didn't enjoy giving her grief about that because I did. But she had a dual major in physics and music, so there you go.

She crinkled up her nose. What happened? she asked. Were you lying in the street? OMG! Did you get hit by a car? Or a bike? Or someone on a scooter? Are you all right?

As we stood there, dozens of brightly-dressed students flowed around us as if we were a boulder in a mountain stream.

I don't know what happened. I surveyed my arms, legs, chest and stomach. Everything felt normal. I'm okay, just confused, I said. I don't think I got hit by anything.

So, what? she asked. You fainted? Wow. She opened her eyes wide. Talk about a bad place to faint. She pointed down at the painted asphalt.

I don't know what happened, I said again. It was strange. It seemed like I was just standing in the middle of a field, but that didn't make any sense. Was it a dream? If so, had I been sleepwalking? I'd never sleepwalked before.

I tried to recall my morning, but I couldn't remember much except the weird empty field. Usually, I trudged down to the bathroom, peed, showered, returned to my room, dressed, and then ate breakfast. But I didn't remember doing any of that today.

I peered down to make sure I wasn't still wearing my pajamas. Clothing (cute jeans and my favorite t-shirt); check. That was good, at least.

So, what was with that field? Could I have been dreaming? Could I have been sleepwalking? Did I imagine it? I did have an awesome imagination, and my mom said I daydreamed too much. But it had all seemed so real...

Rory's phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. Oh, my gosh! We're going to be late for physics class! Come on! She grabbed my hand and started jogging for the physics building.

A few minutes later, we were ensconced in the front row of desks, ready for Physics Three to begin. The large classroom was designed like an auditorium with two entrances/exits at the top and a stage with a podium and screen at the bottom.

My phone pinged. It was a text from my other BFF, Lin. 'I can't believe me and Ethan got here at the same time as you guys.' Lin was from Hong Kong, a skater grrrl, and looked it with her general don't-screw-with-me attitude and her collection of intense t-shirts. She rarely went anywhere without her Jucker Hawaii Pau Hana Cruiser. She was also an awesome hacker and officially a computer science major.

I texted her back. 'Where are you guys?'

'Back row.'

I turned around, and she waved at me from the back of the room. Today, she was sporting a black t-shirt with 'Thrasher Magazine' in flame font on the front.

My other BFF, Ethan, sat next to her. He grinned at me. He was from California and an Engineering Physics major. And, yes, damn it, he was hot, nice and tall with great wavy brown hair and warm brown eyes.

Who are you waving at? Rory asked, and then she turned around. When she saw Lin and Ethan, she beamed and waved at them.

Someone in front of us cleared their throat. So, if I could have everyone's attention, please.

Rory and I quickly turned to face the front of the classroom.

A middle-aged Latino wearing jeans, a light-blue button-down shirt and a navy blazer, frowned at Rory and me from behind a podium.

I smiled innocently.

As you hopefully know by now, I'm Professor Hernandez, he said, expression softening.

Today, we continue our explorations of mechanical vibrations and waves, electromagnetic waves, classical optics, special relativity, and the theory of quantum mechanics.

After class, Rory and I met Lin and Ethan in the back of the room near the exits. We were all resident advisors and worked and lived in the same dorm in the center of campus.

I thought you left the dorm before us. Where were you guys? Ethan asked, smiling, as the four of us exited the classroom.

I smiled back.

Rory crinkled up her nose again. Tiffani fainted or something in the middle of the street.

I held up my hand. I don't think I fainted.

What happened, then? Ethan asked, standing in the physics building lobby. Dozens of students rushed past us on their way to or from class.

I don't know, I said. I don't remember.

Could it be something with your meds? Lin asked.

I had to take meds every day for my ADHD. They were a pain but a necessary evil. Huh, I said. That's an interesting question. Could that be it? Maybe? But why now? What's different? I think I took my meds this morning. Could there be something wrong with them?

Oh, I think we should take you to the health center, Rory said.

Sure, Ethan said. We could do that.

Lin nodded.

I appreciate the offer, I said. But I don't think that's necessary.

You sure? Rory asked.

I nodded. I'll text my mom and see what she thinks. She'd been through my whole ADHD saga. Let's meet up for lunch later?

Sounds good, Ethan said.

Yeah, Lin said. Noon?

We all agreed. Ethan and Lin took off.

Are you sure you don't want me to take you to Wardenburg? Rory asked, still looking worried.

I'm sure, I said. Thanks. I'll see you at lunch.

Okay. She looked disappointed as we exited the building. Once outside, we parted company.

I sat on one of the benches and texted my mom. 'Something odd happened this morning. Can you talk?'

Immediately, I got a video call. When I answered, I saw Mom's nose and one eye. What happened? Are you all right? she asked.

I couldn't help snickering a little. Mom, please move the phone away from your face.

She did so. What's going on? On the small screen, I could see she was well-put-together as usual, wearing a turquoise silk t-shirt, beautiful turquoise earrings, and a necklace that looked amazing with her silver-gray hair.

I debated what to say. I didn't want to worry her. Mom had adopted me when she was in her fifties, and I was a little kid. For the first half of her life, she'd focused on her career and then, in (late) middle age, had started questioning all her choices. She claimed I was her mid-life crisis. All I could say was, hurray for mid-life crises! I didn't know anything about my bio-family. She was the only Mom I'd ever known.

Tiffani Taylor! she said. Answer me!

Sorry, Mom, I said. I guess I was woolgathering. That's what she liked to call it when my mind wandered, imagining things, as I was prone to do. Anyway, I may have fainted or sleepwalked or something this morning.

Did you eat breakfast? she asked reasonably. As a retired university biologist, she was always very rational and logical.

I cast my mind back to earlier in the morning. I dimly recalled waking up in my dorm room. Uh, not sure. How could I not remember if I ate breakfast?

Did you take your meds? she asked.

I think so. What do you think might be going on?

I don't know, she said. "What do you think might be going on?"

I don't know, I said. It was all very mysterious.

Please go to the health center and get checked out, she said. You can't take any chances with your health.

I resisted the urge to whine, 'Aw, Mom, do I have to?' Being a responsible adult could be annoying. Okay. Text you later.

Make sure you do. We ended the call.

I dragged my feet all the way over to Wardenburg Health Center. But once I was there, I didn't have to wait to see a nurse; it must have been a slow morning. I got up on one of those paper-covered tables, and she took my pulse, temperature, and blood pressure. She listened to my heart with a stethoscope. She peered into my eyes, ears and mouth with a penlight. She smelled faintly of lemon.

Sitting on a stool in front of me, she leaned back. You look fine. She put the penlight in her pink scrubs pocket. I don't see any reason why you might have fainted. Are you drunk or high? Be honest.

No.

Hungover?

No.

"Have you been missing meals or not drinking water?

No, and no, I said.

Sleep deprived? she asked.

No, I said.

She grabbed a tablet and started scrolling. If you're telling the truth and didn't do anything unwise….

I didn't! I said.

It's possible that your ADHD situation has changed, she said. It's possible your meds are not working well for you anymore. When were you diagnosed?

When I was a little kid. I've had it a long time. I shook my head. But, is that a thing? The situation changes? What does that mean?

It means some people grow out of it. She gave me a fleeting smile. So, your problem this morning may be a good thing.

Wow. A problem being a good thing. That was an odd idea. In my experience, problems were uniformly bad things.

I flashed back to one day in grade school when it seemed like all my classmates were frozen in amber. I kept going up and trying to talk to them, but none answered. None of them even moved. The walls closed in on me as my heart pounded in my throat. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with them…

Tiffani? the nurse asked. You still with me?

I nodded.

I can refer you to an ADHD expert. She scrolled through my file some more. Or, since you grew up in town, it would probably be best if you made an appointment with your doctor of record.

My pediatrician? That also sounded odd; I hadn't seen her for at least a few years. I was too old for a pediatrician. On the other hand, I didn't currently have a primary care physician. I just popped into the campus health center if I needed something.

Now the nurse was grinning at me. Yeah. Go see your pediatrician.

Okay, I said. Thanks. I got out of there, sat on a bench out front, and texted Mom an update.

Outside, the sun was still shining. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. A tree or something must be blooming somewhere nearby because I smelled flowers.

I imagined that same childhood scene, but my friends weren't frozen this time. They smiled at me when I walked up to them; they talked to me. Our colorful artwork plastered on the walls seemed festive rather than menacing. I was calm, and the other students were calm. Even the teacher smiled and chatted with me instead of yelling at me in slow motion.

I opened my eyes. Could it be? Could this be the beginning of a whole new chapter? An ADHD-free chapter?

If so, that would be ...awesome!

Chapter Two

At noon, the Center For Community (C4C) restaurant was so crowded that the roar of talking students washed over me like a tsunami near the cash registers. I couldn't tell if my friends were there or not. I debated whether I should text them, look around for them, or get some food first. My growling stomach decided me.

I eventually made it to the cashier. Do you want your balance? the work-study student asked me after she swiped my card.

Sure, I said. She quoted a balance that seemed a little low. Oh well.

The C4C was fun because it facilitated world travel-- cuisine-wise. The front section was a cafeteria with many different food stations. Today, options included Asian, Persian, Italian, Kosher, Latin, Smoke n' Grill, Wholesome Field, Desserts, and Dietician's Recommendations.

I stopped at the Asia station and got Kalua Pork, Hawaiian Quinoa, a chicken eggroll, and a water. Then, I had the fun of trying to balance a very delicious-smelling tray of food through throngs of people without spilling it. The back of the restaurant consisted of a ginormous section of tables and chairs.

Tiffani! Over here! Standing and waving, Lin called out from the west side of the seating area.

I gratefully picked my way through the crowd and set my tray on their table next to the far wall. It was nominally calmer over here.

Ethan was there, shoving some fancy pizza into his mouth. Chewing, he waved hello.

Rory was picking at a vegetable-laden salad. Hey, Tiff. She smiled. I didn't understand how she could be happy with a salad that didn't have cheese, meat, and loads of dressing.

Asian? Lin pointed at my tray. Who'd want to eat that? She grinned. I couldn't tell if she was kidding. Although come to think of it, she never seemed to eat Asian food.

You're joking? I asked as I sat in a chair.

Yes and No. She shrugged and took a bite of her burger. She seemed to enjoy embracing all aspects of American culture--including food.

I took a bite of eggroll. It was hot and crunchy, spicy, and meaty. Mmm. What's wrong with Asian food?

Nothing, she said, picking up some golden french fries. I just meant Americans' idea of so-called Asian food is nothing like the food back home. What does it even mean, 'Asian?' Chinese, Indian, Thai, Korean, they're all different. For that matter, different regions of China have different cuisine. She dipped the fries in ketchup and lifted them, dripping, to her mouth.

Okay, I said. Good feedback. I pointed at my plate. I couldn't tell you where this dish originated. Maybe Hawaii? For a beat, I imagined lying on a pristine white-sand Hawaiian beach, waves crashing on the shore, sun shining overhead… Someday I would go to Hawaii for real. All I know is it's yummy.

Lin grinned. Well, that is the main thing.

So, what did your mom say about your fainting? Rory asked.

I finished inhaling the eggroll. When I swallowed, I said, She made me go to Wardenburg.

Rory glanced at Lin and Ethan. Maybe you'd rather talk about this in private?

I shook my head. No worries. It's not a secret, I said. I have ADHD. I've had it for as long as I can remember.

Two of my buddies from high school had it, Ethan said.

Yeah, my cousin has it, Lin said.

Rory held up her fork. I know someone else who has it, too. Who? She trailed off. Ooh! My best friend from middle school.

The doc at Wardenburg said my ADHD might have changed. I couldn't help smiling. So, maybe I don't have it anymore. I'm going to see my ADHD doc later.

Oh, yeah, Ethan said. One of my friends grew out of it. It was great. He stared at me, oblivious to the smear of tomato sauce under his lower lip. I had a sudden urge to wipe it off with my finger or something else... Get a grip, Tiff!

I forced myself to look away from him and down at my plate. What is quinoa, anyway? Color me curious and mystified. Maybe I was ...curified?

Pasta? Ethan asked.

No, I think it's a kind of rice, Lin said.

Rory had pulled out her phone. Huh. It's a pseudocereal grain.

I laughed a little as I scooped some up with my fork. Well, that clears it right up!

The others snickered.

It tasted like the yummy sauce it had on it.

Rory continued reading. Oh. It's the seed of a grain crop.

I mushed some of it together with some pork. Whatever it is, it's good, I said with my mouth full. For a while, we focused on our lunches.

Once all the plates were clean, Ethan said, I'm going to get some dessert. Anyone else? I saw apple strudel. Tiffani?

I raised my hand. Yes, please.

Lin and Rory also raised their hands.

I should have known. Shaking his head but grinning, Ethan stalked off to brave the crowds.

So, what happened this morning? Lin asked. You fainted?

I shrugged. I'm not sure what happened. I turned to Rory. Did you get a good look at that older woman who helped me up? She seemed familiar somehow…

No, sorry, Rory said. It was crowded. And then we all had to dodge that car that drove right through the crosswalk.

Lin pointed. That's not right. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in the crosswalk.

The whole thing was weird, I said. I didn't even remember how I'd gotten there. Who was the Good Samaritan? Why did she just run off? I wish there was a way to get more info.

I don't see how, Rory said. I mean, maybe someone was taking a selfie or video at the time, but how would we find it? She grabbed her phone. "Speaking of which, should we memorialize this excellent summer school lunch? We all smiled, and she quickly snapped a pic.

Lin said, I'll ponder the selfie sitch. She was brilliant with computers, so if anyone could figure something out, it would be her. You want to know what you were doing before you ended up on the ground? She picked up her phone.

Yeah. Try to get a shot of the gray-haired Good Samaritan woman who helped me up, too. I nodded. Actually, any images you can find of me this morning would be great.

Rory gave me her worried look and opened her mouth to start to say something.

I smiled at her as if to say, 'No worries here.'

She closed her mouth.

I can write a script to search social media posts' metadata for that place, date and time, Lin said. Nodding, she typed some notes into her phone. And we should see if there's any surveillance cameras in the area, too.

A small plate with an apple strudel plunked down on the table in front of me. I looked up. Thanks, E.

He smiled down at me. E? I like it. He finished passing out treats.

Thanks, E, Lin said primly.

Thanks, E, Rory said sweetly.

He threw himself into his chair and waved his hand over the table. My pleasure. Think nothing of it.

So, what's on tap for this afternoon? Lin asked. Anyone want to get a jump start on the physics homework?

Nope. I'm going to the rec center to play basketball, Ethan said.

Sorry. I have to work, Rory said. I have a resident advisor meeting. She grinned. It should be exciting.

I'd already met with my dorm residents, and they were anything but exciting. I told them I was a resource if they had any questions about the university or concerns about anything. I directed them to campus resources and fun events like free concerts and movies. Unfortunately, we also had to discuss dorm rules, but I said I couldn't write them up if I didn't catch them breaking the rules. Conversely, if I did catch them, I would write them up. So far, I hadn't caught anyone doing anything wrong, so I hadn't written anyone up. Yay.

Good luck with your meeting, Rory, I said.

I don't need luck, she said. I'm bringing cookies. Then, she sang, C is for cookie; that's good enough for me, yeah.

We all grinned, well-used to her random singing.

Bribery--what a solid idea. I wished I'd thought of it. I nodded. Respect.

My phone pinged. Text message. It was from Mom. 'Meet you at the pediatrician's at 2 pm.'

Is that from the doctor? Rory asked.

From my mom. I was a bit reluctant to say the word 'pediatrician.' It made me sound like a little kid, didn't it?

What'd she say? Lin asked.

I guess I'm meeting her at my …. I trailed off.

At your what? Ethan asked.

They all leaned toward me. These were my friends; they wouldn't give me a hard time, right?

At my pediatrician's office.

Suddenly, they were silent. Ethan pressed his lips together; Rory put her hand over her mouth, and Lin's eyes were open wide as she held her lips steady with an effort.

I held up my forefinger. If you're good, I'll bring you back a lollipop. Laughter exploded out of me, and the others soon joined in.

I was nervous when I met Mom at the pediatrician's office. My hopes were up; I wanted to be done with ADHD. I wanted to be normal, to be healthy.

Mom smoothed her denim skirt as she sat in the chair in the waiting room. The room was empty of other patients but filled with brightly-colored upholstered chairs, scattered toys on the floor and end tables, and healthy cartoon posters on the walls.

I imagined the room filled with a bunch of little kids wearing unicorn or dinosaur t-shirts and playing with the toys. They were laughing, talking, and making kid-playing sounds, like vroom, vroom. Maybe they were here to get their vaccinations? Yeah, that was it. The imaginary kids weren't sick; they didn't have any kind of condition--unlike me.

Mom leaned toward me. You okay? You look nervous.

I smirked. I guess I am, a little.

A nurse wearing dinosaur-laden scrubs behind the counter called out to us. The doctor will see you now, Tiffani, and, er, Tiffani's mom. As we walked past her, she seemed surprised I was the patient. Yeah, I probably was (a lot) older than most of their patients, but what of it?

As we approached the door to the back, it opened as if by magic.

A nurse wearing cartoon-princess-laden scrubs said, And how are we doing today? in a sing-song voice as she held open the door for us.

Mom glanced at her. Fine, thanks, she said drily. How are you?

The nurse bobbed her head. Fine. The door closed behind us. She showed us into a patient room. It was similar to the waiting room, albeit much smaller, with the health-advice posters down to the pile of toys in the corner.

Mom sat in the spare chair, leaving the examination table for me. I hopped up, crinkling the paper covering.

Within moments, Dr. Patel swooped into the room. She looked elegant as usual, tall and slim with thick dark-brown hair and large expressive brown eyes. She was staring at the tablet in her hand. So, Tiffani… Her eyebrows were drawn together. She glanced up and saw me, forehead smoothing. Oh, it is you. She smiled at us. Hi there, Tiffani. Hello, Dr. Anderson.

Mom nodded back at her. She always said it was nice that Dr. Patel referred to her by her professional title.

What's this about? Dr. Patel asked.

ADHD, I said.

Dr. Patel's forehead furrowed again. Are you having some kind of problem?

I froze for a moment. It was very awkward admitting I'd fainted or sleepwalked or something and was having trouble with my memory. I hadn't liked feeling so confused and helpless this morning, lying on the pavement, and I didn't like reliving it now.

Tiffani, speak up, Mom said.

I may have fainted this morning on campus, I said. I went to the health center, and the doc there thought it might be something with my ADHD. And …my memory seems to be a bit spotty.

You didn't mention this before, Mom said. Spotty, how?

I can't really remember much about this morning, I said.

Please elaborate, Dr. Patel said.

I think I remember getting up and taking my pill…. I decided to omit the imaginary field. But then I don't remember anything until I was lying in the crosswalk.

Lying in the crosswalk! That doesn't sound good! Mom said, leaning forward.

Dr. Patel scrolled through my file. "Fainting and memory loss aren't necessarily