Changed Tomorrows (Excerpt)

Jim stirred from sleep. The sun was only just beginning to lighten the bruised purple skies in the east. The coals from last night’s fire gave no warmth from the mound of ashes. Though the leaves were still green, autumn was making her presence known. By the time the moon went through one more cycle, the coolish fall air would rob the leaves of their verdant color and the forests would be awash in brilliant reds, browns, and yellows. The leaves would shatter underfoot with a loud crunch with each step. The moist smell of decaying vegetation would be replaced with a new, dryer aroma from the freshly dead leaves.

In another place and time, Jim and his brothers and sister would be excitedly preparing for the new school year. Barefoot adventures, tall tales, and long days outside would soon be replaced with textbooks covered in brown paper, uncomfortable shoes and long pants, and chalk dust.

Jim sat up, uncovered the buried coals and began to feed kindling. The tiny flames licked ravenously at the bits of leaves and dried twigs. Within minutes larger pieces of wood were chasing the chill from the morning air. As he poked at the fire, the boy’s thoughts returned to school preparations.

He wondered what his Mother was doing right now. She was, no doubt, calling for the boys to get up as she prepared breakfast. The kitchen would be warm and bright as she fried up bacon and sausage to go with the eggs. Jim could almost taste her biscuits, hot from the oven, tendrils of steam wafting upwards as she dropped them from the pan to the plate.

Moments like this made him feel more lost than ever. Despite knowing exactly where he was, the time difference made him feel he was on the other side of the globe, trying to get back to his family.

The trip to Carolina had been fruitful and his hopes were high that he’d find his family when the portal opened again.

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About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.

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