#Time for Sundaes

On August 29, 1877 the town of Willowsdale welcomed two baby girls. Sarah Anne Gerhardt was born in the morning, and Emma Theresa Olson twelve hours later. The townspeople thought they'd be lifelong friends, and they had many play dates their first year. But while Sarah would be a lifelong resident of Willowsdale, Emma would disappear suddenly on the girls' first birthday.

2018

Julia threw her phone on her bed.

"That prick!" she shouted. "Two weeks, and he says the long distance isn't working, and 'we should date other people.' Probably cheated on me, and wants to break it off before it's all over Insta."

"What a piece of human garbage." her roommate Tess said. "Don't string this out any further. Dump him."

"I mean, I knew it was one of many outcomes when we decided on different schools, " Julia admitted. "But two weeks?"

"Garbage. How about we get peanut butter and strawberry sundaes and binge Netflix?"

"That sounds amaze - wait how did you know those sundaes are my comfort food?"

"You mentioned it?" Tess said. "They remind you of PB&Js?"

"No I didn't. That's why I like them, but I haven't had a PB&J sundae situation yet."

"You were tired. It was after last week's all nighter."

"Huh," Julia said. "Well the answer is yes. Let's drown that scumbag with ice cream."

They used the tunnels connecting their dorm to the dining hall to procure the deserts, and settled into a Netflix binge.

"Dang," Julia said pushing her empty sundae cup aside. "I lucked out getting you for a roommate. "

With some encouragement from Tess, Julia soon found herself putting her ex in the past, and focused on enjoying Freshman year. While at times life seemed an endless loop of classes, dining center meals, and parties, the chill to the air suggested Christmas was approaching.

Two weeks before break, the girls were waiting for the elevator. Julia would have taken the stairs, but Tess said something about being tired. When the doors opened, two guys struggling with a couch attempted to get out. Julia recognized one of them as her Devon, who she'd been crushing on for a month, though she doubted he knew of her existence.  "Need help?" she offered, hoping she didn't sound too eager.

Twenty minutes later, as they left the guys' dorm, Devon's number newly added to Julia's phone, Tess grinned. "Bet you're glad we waited for the elevator."

After Christmas, Julia and Devon started dating. Tess didn't seem surprised.

When spring came, and it was time to make living arrangements for next year, it seemed obvious to Julia to keep rooming with Tess.

Tess, however, looked anxious at this request.  "I can't," she whispered. "I won't be here next year."

"What do you mean?" Julia was confused.

Tess seemed to be debating something than sighed. "I'm a time traveler." she said. "Unwilling, but each year, on my birthday, I end up somewhere different in time for the next year."

"Haha. Come on, room with me again. "

"I'm serious. New year, new time. The only constant is each year I get an amazing best friend, and every one of them is either an ancestor or descendant of Sarah Gerhardt."

Julia gaped. "That's my-"

"Third great-grandmother? We were both born in Willosdale, August 29th 1877. I've been bffs with various ladies in your family ever since. Including your daughter."

"My daughter?"

"It's how I knew about the PB&J sundaes. You served them to us in 2044 - which was two years ago for me."

"Your serious," Julia said, stunned.

"Unfortunately. Please, don't ask me to reveal more about the future, or show you some futuristic gadget. Anachronisms are risky with time travel. I never know if I'm going backwards or forwards, so I leave the tech behind."

"Have you tried to stop it?"

"Multiple times. Always fails. So let's enjoy the time we have, and know you'll see me again."

After that conversation, both girls treasured what they knew to be limited time. They spent August 28th throwing Tess an early birthday, and Julia hoped that when she woke it would be an elaborate prank.  That there was time enough at last for a lifelong friendship. But when she called Tess on the 29th, the number was disconnected. She was gone.

September 2044

Julia scoops ice cream into bowls, strawberries and peanut butter ready for toppings. Her and Devon's daughter Lily is bringing her new friend Emma over after school today. She hears the door open, and Lily's voice, along with one she hasn't heard in years. The girls enter the kitchen, and there she is. Tess - Emma - slightly younger than when Julia knew her. Julia steadies herself and smiles. "Hi! Do you have time for sundaes?"

WC: 790 Edit: formatting