I have spent the last many years steadfastly remaining 23 years old in my head while my body continues to defy my wishes and rudely insists on ageing. So, if I were ever given the chance to time travel, guess where I’d go back to?

There was a solid point in my life at 23 where I chose a particular path. I’ve always wondered what would have happened if I’d chosen differently. Who, what and where would I be now?

So, let’s go back and make that call I didn’t make the first time……….

Hi Mum, it’s me.

I’m fine. Really good actually. The people here are great.

I had a bit of cold last week but I’m feeling better.

Mum, I need to tell you something.

No, no, nothing’s wrong. It’s just… Well, I think…. it’s….

Yeah, sorry, keep forgetting about the time difference. Of course you want to go to bed.

Listen, can you contact the Kreisers and tell them I won’t be in Cleveland for Christmas? Oh, and you’d better let the Massies know I won’t be there for New Years.

I’m not going to go to the US in December. There’s a bunch of people from here heading to Budapest for this big youth event and I want to go.

No, I can’t actually extend my ticket. I’m going to have to cancel the return leg.

I don’t know. It kind of depends.

Well, of course I’ll come home. Eventually. I just really want to see where this leads me. Leave it open, you know?

Thanks Mum. I knew you’d understand.

Not ’til the end of December. Starts on the 28th, I think.

No, I’m still going to leave here next week as planned but Hamish is heading to Lourdes so I thought I’d tag along. I’ll have to extend my rail pass or something but…

Yeah, it is exciting. Different, you know?

It’s nearly dinner time, I have to go. I’ll let you know where I am next week. Can you explain to the others what’s happening?

Oh, I forgot about that.

No, I won’t tell work until I know when I’m coming back. I might hate it in Budapest and still want to come home in February.

Yeah, probably not the best idea to throw away a job until I’m sure.

Sorry, bell’s ringing, I gotta go.

I love you too. And Mum?

Thanks.

I wasn’t brave enough at 23 to make that decision. To throw away certainty for an open-ended journey. If I only knew then what I know now.

Of course, as I’ve said before (see this post), going back to redo only works if you can go back with what you know now. Otherwise you’ll just make the same choices. That’s when you need a time machine, not just a do-over.

Probably rip a hole in the space-time continuum, though.

Hmph. So worth it, though. (Sorry, Doctor.)

This post was written in response to the Daily Post Weekly Writing Challenge: Time Machine.