Cube Route Read Free Page A

much help! How long had it been?”
        “Twelve years. And of course she couldn't go back. But then she got a wish, and she wished she had proposed to him, and then she discovered her change of life.”
        “Change of life?”
        “Yes. When she got home, she was married to him, and I was her first male child. She calls it her retroactive marriage. I mean, she changed the past, with her wish, and then just sort of stepped into how her life would have been, and now really was. I get confused when I think about it too much.”
        “That's not surprising.”
        “But anyway, it all worked out well, for my folks and for me. I had a good childhood, after having been alone for ten years. I mean, that change of life affected me too, so I had no longer lived alone, and that was great, but I remembered some of how it had been, so I was really grateful. Except for Lacky, my big sister who never existed; I still miss her. Does that make sense?”
        Cube pondered it. Vernon must have had a daughter in the bad marriage, who was undone by the change, and Ryver retained some memory of her. Changes of life did have consequences. “I think so. If I could somehow change my past, and make myself be delivered beautiful, I'm sure I'd be grateful, if I remembered my present life.”
        “Right. That's how it is with me. I hope the Good Magician comes through for you.”
        He seemed sincere, and she realized that she liked him. He was sometimes socially clumsy, but he had a good heart. “I hope so too.” Then she got bold, which often as not got her into trouble. That was the liability of gumption. “If--if he has an Answer for me, and I get beautiful, maybe after I work my year off--where will you be?”
        He looked at her in the dim light. “I'm afraid I'll say something stupid. I do that often enough. Maybe I don't understand your question.”
        “I'm twenty years old and have always been, well, plain. I'd like to--to have a relationship with a good man. Just as your mother did. She changed her reality and got it after she thought she'd lost it. If I got beautiful--would you care to be the man?”
        He considered for a full moment, which was the time required for the average man to make such a decision. “Sure.”
        “I mean, I'd have the same personality. The same talent. I'd be the same person. Only lovely.”
        “That's what makes the difference.”
        How unfortunately true. He didn't care about her character, just about her appearance. He really was a typical man. “So if it works out for me, as it did for your mother, maybe I'll come to your house.”
        “Sure. Just ask for Ryver. Everybody in my area knows the water boy.”
        This seemed too easy. Did it mean he thought she was joking, or that he didn't believe she'd ever be beautiful? Was he humoring her so as to get rid of her without making a scene? Had she just made a worse fool of herself than she thought? Maybe she should cancel it now. “Of course, if--”
        “Let me give you something, so you can find me better. When you come, I mean.”
        He was taking it seriously! “Oh, you don't need to--”
        “I'll fetch it from the river.” He got up and stepped out of the shelter.
        Bemused, she followed. Now she saw that the rest of the camp was outlined with glow, including its internal paths, for the convenience of travelers. What could he give her, that was from the water?
        At the river, he leaned down and swooped one hand through the water. He shaped something with his other hand. Then he offered it to her. “Here.”
        She couldn't quite make it out in this light. It seemed to shimmer. “What is it?”
        “A water ball.” He put it into her hands.
        She held it. It was indeed a ball, cool and soft, but it couldn't be water because it held its shape. Yet she had seen him swoop it from the river.