have the ability to manipulate the element of Time. At some point in the future, you develop the capacity to send people into the past. It appears you sent her from the future with this book, the Chronicle of Continuity.” He tapped the small thick leather volume on the table. “Absolutely amazing. I never imagined your abilities would increase to the point where you could do something of this magnitude.”
“Assuming that is correct, why would I send a five-year-old girl back in time all alone? That seems wildly irresponsible to send someone so young into such a dangerous situation. I can’t see myself doing something like that now, much less when I’m supposedly a more responsible adult.”
“Obviously it is something you will be willing to do.”
“So what are you saying? In the future I grow more powerful and more irresponsible?”
“HELLO! Who is Hannah?” Sam asked.
The little girl reached up and took his hand. “Me. I’m Hannah.” She giggled.
“Again, why would I send her back in time? It’s absolutely crazy,” Mara said.
“From your perspective in the future, it won’t seem so crazy, and, if you think about it, you didn’t just throw her into time, willy-nilly. You sent her to a time and place where she has family. The interesting question is not only why but why now? What is it about this child and the events of this time period that you felt compelled to send her here?”
Pulling Hannah along with him, Sam stomped up to the table where Mara and Ping sat. “Will you guys please explain to me what is going on?”
Mara frowned at him and turned back to Ping, “Do you think it has something to do with the strange way she can prompt people?”
“It is an extraordinary ability to be able to prompt others to have metaphysical powers. That may be the reason you sent her back.”
“PING!” Sam yelled.
Ping looked into Sam’s eyes.
“Who is this little girl?” Sam prompted him.
“She’s your daughter,” Ping said. “Mara apparently sent her from the future.”
Sam released Hannah’s hand, staggered back a couple steps and fell over a bicycle tire that had fallen off the workbench the previous night. He landed on his butt with a loud thud. Hannah ran to him.
“Are you hurt, Daddy?”
Looking dazed, he clumsily sat up on the floor, staring at her. It was the first time he’d actually looked at her face. The auburn hair and green eyes reminded him of his mother and Mara. The nose was his.
He gaped at Mara and Ping.
“I can’t be a father. I’m only fourteen years old! This has got to be some kind of mistake! This is some kind of sick joke, right?”
“It wasn’t necessary for you to prompt me. I would have answered your question voluntarily,” Ping said. He looked from Sam to Hannah and added, “There’s a definite family resemblance.”
“Shut up. I am not a father. There’s no way.” Remaining seated on the floor, Sam sat up straighter, folded his legs and rested his arms on them. His head hung down between his shoulders. “I haven’t even, you know … Never mind.” His face turned pink as he looked up.
Hannah walked over to him, pushed an arm out of the way and sat in his lap.
Sam’s blush deepened, and he craned his head away from her. She seemed oblivious to his discomfort, as she settled onto his legs. With an expression of near panic, he looked up at Mara. “This had better be some kind of joke.”
Mara shook her head. “Afraid not. I think she really is your daughter from the future, Dad.” She raised a finger in the air. “You know, when Melanie did your reading, she said you wouldn’t be accepted by your father until you knew what it was like to be one. Well, there you go.” She pointed at Hannah. “You’re one step closer to having a father, now that you are one.”
“Not funny,” he said. “So when are you sending her back?”
“What do you mean?”
“To the future. Ping said you brought her here from the future. When are you sending her back to where, or when, she belongs?”
“I didn’t bring her here. My future self sent her, at least according to Hannah. I have no idea how to send someone into the future. I feel stupid even saying it.”
“So what are we supposed to do with her?”
Hannah patted his knee. “You are supposed to take me to get banana pancakes. Let’s go to Nana Diana’s. She’ll make us some.”