Sometimes They Are Macabre

Chapter 3
Chapter 3

Chapter Description: Marcia tries to pick up her life as if nothing had happened. But neither family nor co-workers are ready to accept the 19 year old Marcia the same as the 39 year old Marcia. Not only that, but Marcia’s own teenage persona seems to want to exert control over her former boring 39 year old self.

The following chapter/part was originally written by Louder and was posted February 17, 2003. The chapter is presented exactly as it was first posted with the possible exception of corrections to errors found during the reposting of this chapter.

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The ARSA Continuous Story Feb 2003 Part 3 Louder

Marcia figured she’d tell everyone that she’d been on a diet and had spent the weekend at a spa. It’s a big place... how much do they really pay attention to her she wondered?

A diet... a little time in the tanning machine... a little rest and relaxation... some hair color... some new skin creams... maybe imply she’d seen a plastic surgeon? She figured that should satisfy her co-workers. It was none of their business anyway.

She walked into work and was immediately stopped.

“Can I help you, miss?” the security man asked.

“Miss? ... Oh! ... I work here... It’s ME!” she said to Bob, the long-time security man.

“Me, who?” Bob replied.

“Marcia!” she replied almost giggling. “I’m her for work.”

“I’m sorry, miss, but the company is not accepting applications at this time.” He told her.

“NNNNOOOOO... It’s ME! I work here!” she told him.

“Miss... we don’t have any intern program anymore and I’m quite sure I’d remember us hiring a kid like you!”

A kid? He called her a kid! So much for telling people she’d been to a spa. She had to think. Obviously this wasn’t going to be as easy as she thought.

“Uhhhh sorry... uhhhh wrong building,” she said then ran for the door.

It became clear a 19 year old wasn’t going to easily pass herself off as a 39 year old. Bob didn’t even recognize her. He called her a ?kid.’

All of a sudden some of the excitement about being younger began to mix with some fears. She now realized she had a better chance of passing for a high school student than she did a middle-aged office worker. She looked barely old enough for college... barely old enough to vote... barely older than her oldest daughter!!!!

What would her husband Bill think she wondered? She glanced at a window, seeing her passing reflection. She didn’t even recognize herself at first. One thing she quickly decided after seeing her reflection, Bill probably wasn’t going to have a problem with a 19 year old wife!

But what about her kids? How would they handle having a teenage mother? Jennifer was 16 already. Only a 3 year difference! Kayla might think it was cool... but what about Jennifer? Would Marcia still be able to be taken seriously when she punished her?

And work... what of work? Where could she get a job? Who would believe her diploma?

She sat down on a park bench to try and collect her thoughts. So much had changed. It dawned on her that maybe this was only a dream... or maybe it would wear off... or maybe she’d lost her mind!

School was only a half-day today so she had to think of how she was going to explain this to the kids. They’d soon be home when she got there.

“Hi kids... remember me? I’m your mother! I’m a teenager now too!” she rehearsed. Maybe a note would be better. Less initial shock that way.

A couple of guys came walking by and gave her an extended look. When was the last time a couple of 20 year olds looked at ME that way, she wondered? This was all so confusing!

First things first, she decided. I’ll go home and wait on the kids. I’ll tell them first, see how they react, and go from there. After all, I just LOOK younger... it’s not like I’m some impulsive schoolgirl teenybopper or anything, she decided.

?I’m still me... a little more energy... a younger body... that’s all’ she silently kept telling herself as she drove home.

Once home, she went inside and opened the fridge. She was going to grab a glass of tea but spied the Diet Coke instead. She took her beverage to the table and sat down. Her nerves started working on her. What if the kids don’t believe me? What if they think it’s a joke?

She saw some bubblegum in the candy dish and helped herself to a piece. It was really boring just sitting there waiting on the kids. She nervously bounced her foot to a long forgotten song and absently started blowing bubbles and clicking her gum.

She went to Jennifer’s room and found some nail polish and headed to the couch where she started doing her nails. She saw the remote and used it to turn on MTV... and turned it up a little more than normal.

Jennifer had stopped to pick up a few items and had Kayla with her. “Sounds like somebody is home?” she said as they got out of the car. “I hope it’s not mom... she’ll be worried because we’re a little late!”

“There’s mom’s car!” Kayla said as she pointed.

Jennifer rolled her eyes. “Oh well, it’s no big deal. She’ll just hafta, like, get over it,” she said as she shoved open the door to see a teen girl sitting on the couch, painting her toenails and blowing bubbles from her bubblegum.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!” all three girls chorused, taken by surprise!

To be continued