An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes by Randy Ribay Read Free Book Online Page A

fountain that consists of three large statues, nude figures reclining and facing away from the center. Each one has an animal behind its head that spouts arcing water into the shallow pool. Even though the air carries an autumn coolness, a few kids splash around in the water.
    â€œI think it’s important for you to contact your birth mother,” her mom says, picking up their conversation.
    Mari’s face hardens. “Why?”
    Her mom hesitates. Looks up at the sky. “I have cancer.”
    She looks at her mom. She feels like she’s fallen into the bottom of a deep well. “What?”
    â€œI have cancer.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYes.”
    Mari turns away. She gazes into the fountain’s spraying water. Everything seems louder. The fountain. The traffic. The wind in the leaves. But nothing seems real.
    â€œI started crying back there, in the heart,” her mom says, “because I thought about how I might never get to see you have children.”
    â€œOr cats,” Mari adds quietly.
    Her mom laughs. “I always thought you were more of a dog person.”
    â€œAre you going to die?” Mari asks after a moment.
    She shrugs. “I hope not.”
    â€œWhat kind is it?”
    She presses her hand across her left breast. “Stage three. The doctor said that I have about a seventy percent chance of survival with treatment—so that’s good news. It could be a lot worse.”
    Mari nods, but her mind flashes to all the times she’s rolled a one or a two with a six-sided die. “What kind of treatment?”
    â€œChemotherapy . . . and a mastectomy, most likely.”
    Mari tries to imagine the missing breast beneath her mom’s shirt. “When did you find out?” she asks.
    â€œThe biopsy was last Friday.”
    Mari realizes that was when she drove her mom to the doctor’s office. She remembers the muted talk show. The flatulent old man. The artificial plant that had seemed so real. She had thought nothing of it at the time, figuring it was just a routine visit.
    â€œThey called with the results the other day,” her mom adds.
    â€œDoes dad know? Do Eric and Andrew?”
    â€œDad does. We wanted to tell you first since you’re the oldest. Your father and I are going to talk to them tonight.”
    The world darkens as a large cloud blocks the sun. Mari looks up and notes that it will probably be a while before the sun reemerges. It might even rain.
    Mari wants to cry but all she feels is anger. “I hate that this has to happen to you. You’re like the nicest person in the world. Why couldn’t this happen to some child molester or rapist or politician instead? Why does it have to be you?”
    Her mom takes a slow, deep breath. “I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œAnd there’s no answer. It’s out of my control. It just did. It happened.”
    â€œThat’s reassuring.”
    â€œThe universe isn’t here to reassure us,” her mom says.
    â€œThen why is it here?”
    â€œThat’s another question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately.”
    â€œAnd?” Mari asks.
    â€œI’ll let you know when I figure it out.”
    Mari closes her eyes and leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. The wind picks up, rustling the leaves and spraying the fountain’s spouting water in a mist that carries to Mari and her mom. They do not notice.
    â€œSo this is why you told me about the contact information before my birthday?”
    Her mom nods. “I want to be there for you. To help you work through things.”
    â€œDo you really think you’ll die before then?”
    â€œProbably not. But you never know. I don’t want to take any chances anymore.”
    Mari is silent for a while, and then says, “I doubt she’ll want to meet me.”
    â€œShe does.”
    â€œHow do you