Chapter Text
/////
Rosa pov:
(October 12th Thursday, 1954)
I put the left-over diner in a tray in the fridge as my husband, James, sits watching some program on the television. Most likely that show with the three nose-bleeding knuckleheads, what was it called again? The three stooges!
“Hey fox, put your ditz brain to work and get me another brew, would ya?” I hear James yell from the armchair.
“Be right there baby!” I grab a beer from the ice box and run to the living room to give it to him.
He pulls me down by my apron and kisses me forcefully. He wipes his lips and sees the red lipstick smudge on his arm.
“Look what you did you fucking ditz! You’re lucky you're stacked or I wouldn't have married you!” I nod and run to get a cloth from the kitchen to give to him.
“I am going to bed baby, I'll see you in the morning.” I say quietly not to anger James more, he just grunts as a response.
I don't bother grabbing night clothes because I know as soon as James comes to bed he will tell me to take them off. I sit down on the bed, grabbing my copy of Charlotte's web. Right as we are being introduced to Charlotte I start to nod off. I try to fight it and keep my eyes open but soon I give in and let the darkness take over my field of vision.
When I wake up I am not in my bed at home, I seem to be outside somewhere in the city. I look around and realize that this doesn't look like how I remember the city looking when I go to the market or go clothes shopping.
I stand up while dusting my skirt off and looking around once more, this time more with more attention to the small details. I see tall buildings with lights coming from inside the windows and strange looking cars driving down a street. There are so many people looking at me strangely as I walk down the street to locate someone I know. Why are there so many women wearing slacks here? If I wore slacks at home James would slap me silly and I would not be able to please my husband that I love so much. I feel my eyes growing tired once more. I am pulled out of my almost unconscious state when I seem to trip over someone and fall to the floor of this street.
Vee Pov:
(October 13th Friday 2021)
Am I running all over New York in an attempt to find this book on slang over the years for my roommate, who can't seem to enjoy anything without knowing the complete history of it? Maybe. After three unsuccessful trips to bookstores, I finally found it at ‘Mimi’s bookstore and cafe.’ As I was rushing to get home because I told lo that I would be home half an hour ago, I run into someone. I silently curse myself as we both fall to the floor. I get up and as I extend my hand to help them up I look at them. They look like a typical 1950’s housewife, a red long sleeve dress with a belt around the middle that goes down to their calves, some short gold heels along with pearl earrings, bracelets and a necklace. Their hair is wavy and cut a bit under their ear in a bob style.
They notice my hand and take it, letting me help them up, they seem to be shocked or confused by my appearance. I interrupt the silence by apologizing.
“I'm really sorry for knocking you down, I found this book for my roommate and I was in a rush. And again I'm just really sorry…”
“Rosa, and don't sweat it, I'm all peachy-keen over here!” I shoot them a look of confusion and laugh.
“What's got you so tickled?” I laugh harder.
“N-nothing, it's just that you sound like you're from the 1950s!” I say between laughs.
“Well that's to be expected seeing as I am, you nosebleed!” They seem very serious so I decide to ask them some questions.
“Well Rosa, what year is it? Answer seriously this time.”
“I'm not sure what you mean, it's 1954 just like yesterday!” they say, slightly slapping my arm. I raise my eyebrow and decide that I have one more test. I pull out my slightly out-dated iPhone 6 and give it to them.
“Well Rosa, one more question, what is this?”
“Is it some sort of funky cigar box?” They ask, trying to take the case off. I take my phone back in shock.
“So you're not joking about being from the 50’s?”
“Why would I, what do you think I am? A ditz?”
“I need to take you to lo.” I say shaking my head and pulling rosa towards our apartment.
/////
/////
Lo’s Pov:
I sit on Vee and I’s shared couch eating some of my crofters when Vee bursts through the door with a book in one hand and pulls a person behind her with the other. I take a moment to study the person Vee brought with her. They looked like a stereotypical 1950s housewife from every movie or show from that time period ever.
“Why did you bring this person with you? You usually don't make friends this fast.” I ask and Vee motions to the kitchen.
I met her next to our semi-large kitchen island.
“I think we need to call Janus. I need to know whether she is lying or not.” When she said was talking she motioned to the living room where our unexpected guest stood. She continues after taking a shaky breath. “She thinks it's the 1950s and that's where she is from, she didn't know what my phone was or what year it is and she kept using outdated slang, she called me a nosebleed!” I cut her off from rambling.
“Okay I will text Janus, you make our guest some food.”
“Her name is Rosa by the way.”
In text:
Lo: Vee and I need a favor from you.
Janus: What, do you two need someone to officiate your wedding?
Lo: You know very well that we are just friends. We need you to
come over and see if this person is lying.
Janus: hmmm how do I phrase this, No
Lo: I'll get you a mimosa next time we hang out
Janus: I'll be there in 15
Out of text:
I look at Vee who seems to be making some type of soup.
“Janus said that they will be here in 15 minutes.” I say after a second.
“What did you have to bribe them with? Also, is this good?” She holds a spoon up to me. I take a sip of the soup and then answer.
“Alcohol as usual and yes, but add a bit more paprika.” I grab a glass of water and go and sit down next to our guest who I now know as Rosa.
She starts a conversation.
“It's odd that neither of you have found husbands yet, you are both are total sex pots!” I nearly spit out my water.
“I’m sorry what?” I ask hesitantly.
“You both are total foxes and in your mid-twenties! You should surely have a stud by now.”
“Neither of us are very interested in men Rosa.” She seems to light up.
“Neither is my sister! And I have been known to play back-seat bingo with most anyone.”
I figuratively drop my jaw in shock, before I could reply to that I hear Janus step into the room.
“So is this the bitch I have to interrogate?” I nod and move over on the couch so Janus can come sit.
Janus sits down and they grab Rosa’s right wrist.
“Okay sweetie can you repeat after me.” Rosa nods quickly. “I am in New York.” Rosa repeats and Janus nods.
“Okay what's your full name.”
“Rosa Madrid Casey.” Janus nods once more.
“How old are you?”
“I am 26 years old.” They nod again.
“What year were you born?”
“1928” And again.
“Lastly, what year do you think it is?”
“1954” One more time.
Janus pulls Vee and I into the kitchen.
“She never lied.” Janus says after letting go of us. Vee takes about fifteen seconds to process this then flips her shit.
“WHAT, no that can't be possible, we don't have a time traveler in our living room, no we don't, but what if we do. And-” I cut her off by rubbing her back a bit, then turn to Janus, thank you I will see you on Sunday morning with your free mimosa.” They nod and head out the door after waving goodbye to Rosa.
“We need to tell her.” Vee says after a moment.
“We should in the morning, it is late and I doubt that she has anywhere to stay.” Vee nods and we go out to the living room to ask Rosa about sleeping arrangements.
“Well Rosa we discussed it and we are letting you stay with us for a while. We would like to know where you would like to sleep.” She thinks for a moment then in a cute burst of excitement seemingly has an idea.
“We should all sleep together! We could all sleep here or on one of your beds if it's large enough, that way none of us have to sleep on the sofa!”
“We could use my room, I believe that I have the biggest bed.” Vee volunteers. Rosa and I both nod as I go to my room to get something for me as well as our guest to sleep in. When I'm in my room I imagine how it would be to cuddle them, it would truly be great, warm and soft like how nostalgia feels. What was that? I quickly break out of those odd thoughts(at least for me) leaving my room and heading to Vee's, down the long hallway. I open the door and see them already sleeping, I lie down next to them and fall into a deep slumber.