Day 6000

On Sunday, A awakes in the body of Roger Wilson, whose clothes are already laid out for church. It does not take long for A to observe Roger’s mother and three little sisters—“no father in sight”—and realize that this is a loving but struggling family. The home has one computer, which A uses quickly before church to set up the email address he gave to Rhiannon last night.

At the church service, which is Baptist, A reflects on all the religious services he has attended over the years. All religions have almost identical beliefs; they give people a sense of community and of a higher power, a force for good. It baffles A that people care so much about the small differences of history, race, culture, and so on. To A, such a focus is impossible:

The only way I can navigate through my life is because of the 98 percent that every life has in common.

During the service, A steals several glances at Roger’s mother. He reflects that he is as inspired by people like her as he is by God. It is clear to him that this single mother has persevered to live a good life in spite of many challenges. He senses this same kind of strength in Rhiannon.

At home, A wants to check his new email to find out if Rhiannon has written to him, but he does not want to let Roger’s family see him checking an address that belongs to someone they do not know. Instead he does Roger’s homework and watches his little sisters run around. That evening, when his mother puts his sisters in bed, A grabs a moment on the computer.

There is no note from Rhiannon, so A writes to her to say he enjoyed meeting her. He does so in the identity of Nathan, the gay boy who danced with her last night, writing:

Even though you’re not my type, gender-wise, you’re certainly my type, person-wise.

He sends this message off and checks his usual email address. He is shocked to find a note from Nathan:

I do not know who you are or what you are or what you did to me yesterday, but I want you to know you won’t get away with it. I will not let you possess me or destroy my life. I will not remain quiet.

This message sends A reeling in shock. He must have left his email open on Nathan’s computer—a mistake A has never made before.

This email address is the only continuous thing about A’s life, the only evidence outside his own mind that he exists. But he has to get rid of it now. He frantically changes his password and then sets up a new account. He begins forwarding all the messages he has sent to himself over the years.

There is no time to finish this task before Roger’s mother tells A it is time to get off the computer. She asks what is wrong, and A tells her not to worry about it. He cannot explain to her that he is a stranger.

When A goes to bed, he is troubled. He has always had one form of control over his life—the independence of his own mind and choices. But now everything has changed: “Now there are other people involved.”