Diverging Streams

Adolescent lovers, Haskell and Jenifer, separated following a tragic accident and reunited twenty years later, are killed in a second tragedy. In the afterlife they meet Jenifer’s parents, who reveal that time is three dimensional, with constantly dividing and diverging time streams. Each stream contains its own unique reality. The further divergent the stream the more different the reality. They also learn that they will eventually have to return to the womb to be reborn and to relive their lives following different timestreams with unknown consequences.

Being free of corporeal burden, they are able to travel through time–not just to the past and future, but sideways as well. They may visit other time streams and alternate realities in which they are still alive, but only as spectators.

Since they had been deprived of life together, and since no authority exists to say no, Haskell and Jenifer decide to get married. Together with Jenifer’s parents they set out in search of a dead preacher to consecrate the marriage. The first stop is at the hospital where Jenifer worked as a pediatric nurse and where they meet the spirit of one of Jenifer’s patients, a three year old girl named Kity Cat and her grandfather.

Finding no dead preachers in the hospital morgue, they search elsewhere in time and space, but finally, they agree that an ordained minister won’t be necessary to consecrate the union. They return to the hospital and enlist the services of Kitty Cat’s grandfather to officiate. Following the ceremony, they take Kitty Cat back to reenter her mother’s womb and be reborn. Finally, the grandfather returns to the hospital to comfort Kitty Cat’s mother, Jenifer’s parents return to their respective wombs, and the newlyweds go on a honeymoon.

An epilogue lists some of the many variables that will determine the outcome when Haskell and Jenifer are reborn and offer commiseration and hope to readers unsatisfied with their own lives. And a caudal appendage discusses multidimensional time.

Editorial Comments:

Separated following a tragic accident in which the girl's parents are killed, adolescent lovers are reunited twenty years later by a second tragedy. Their death is not an end, but the beginning of a voyage of discovery. With the girl's parents as guides and unencumbered by corporeal form, they may choose to go forward to the future or back to witness historical events. They may also travel sideways through other dimensions of time to visit alternate (what might have been) realities.

This brief novel is set in a universe in which time is multi-dimensional, with constantly dividing and diverging time streams—each stream containing its own unique reality. In this universe, "anything that can possibly happen cannot possibly not happen" somewhere in multi-dimensional space-time.

Well written and intelligent, this is a story that will tick all the boxes for readers looking to get lost in a metaphysical masterpiece. Very highly recommended. — Asher Syed--Reader's Favorite Editorial Review

For anyone who enjoys stories about life beyond death, the power of choice, and the possibility of second chances, this one is for you. — Luwi Nyakansaila--Reader's Favorite Editorial Review

This is a wonderful and unique tale, and I highly recommend it to readers interested in love stories that transcend time and space. — Doreen Chombu--Reader's Favorite Editorial Review

Readers who enjoy thoughtful stories about lost connections, romance, second chances, and the mystery of time will stay engaged with this book. — Eric Ferrar--Reader's Favorite Editorial Review

If you like science fiction that behaves more like literary fiction, are curious about time but deeply invested in memory, desire, and consequence, this book will likely resonate. — Literary Titan Editorial Review