I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of “redoing” some part of my life. What would life be like if I hadn’t met that key person in my life? What if I’d taken this job, or decided against that one? What if I ended a relationship early, or avoided it entirely? What if I could go back, knowing everything I know now, and fix it all? Would that be better?
These questions led me to write my short story, The Day After You Die. In this story we meet 74-year-old Harold Emery, who unfortunately for him, is dead. He gets a chance to go back, but there are limits to this wonderful gift from the afterlife. He can relive one day of his life, but he doesn’t get to choose it. It could be a bad day. It could be a good day. Here’s the catch—it’s random, and anything he changes may forever alter the life he thought he knew.
From the book description: Harold wakes up in 1965 in his childhood bedroom. He’s ready to enjoy one final carefree day on Earth, but today is not that day. Today is the day his nine-year-old sister Gail is killed, and Harold knows how to stop it. As Harold races against time to save Gail, his decisions will have dire consequences to the life he once knew and the people he loved. Harold chose to live again, but will everything he knows be destroyed in the process?
Screwing up the life you knew is the real trouble with time travel. Just ask Marty McFly. Consider it on a more personal level, though. What if you had complete autonomy over your old life and decide not to marry your spouse, because you know that 20 years later you will get into a horrible, messy divorce? Why would you want to put yourself through all the pain and angst of that relationship if you’re destined to be hurt anyway? One reason could be your children, right?! No relationship, no kids. That’s a big one. Or could you go back and be a better spouse and prevent the horribleness? What would that change? You could read between the lines a little more and roll with the punches when that relationship gets rocky. Maybe, but dang, that seems like a tough road.
Thankfully Harold only has only one day to fix or mess up his life. One day of changes couldn’t do much, right? You should read the story and find out!
Story details and an upcoming novel
I decided to sell this story cheap to showcase my work, so when my upcoming novel debuts later in 2021, you might be interested in checking it out. I haven’t released a novel since 2015, so it’s a bit of a re-introduction to the world. While this story is my first considering time travel, it fits with my writing style, so you know what you’re getting if you read my other works. My characters are generally good people, who want to do the right thing, fall in love and be happy. Isn’t that all of us?
I hope you enjoy The Day After You Die.