Joanne Anderton’s story for this week chronicles a love story variant from the future, across multiple universes, and beyond ~ Julian & Fran, November 13, 2022

Every Her That Ever Was

By Joanne Anderton

Taye couldn’t pinpoint the moment she fell for Olivia3679. No matter how often she replayed the days and asked herself, over and over, Is this when you lost your heart? Is it today? Is it now? She found no beginning to their love.

But she knew exactly when it ended.

There was nothing portentous about the day they met. Taye was working late as usual, enjoying the quiet of the Directory outside of opening hours. The gentle murmur of the collected Archives roiled like fog through the marble halls, but Taye had long ago mastered the art of tuning out their constant monologuing. A donation had arrived that afternoon, gifted by the daughter of a recently deceased collector. Taye took her time with the unboxing, labeling, and inventory. It wasn’t like she had any reason to rush home.

She’d unpacked enough pretty women in their twenties to work out that this collector had a type when she came to Olivia. An old-school cast in simple gray, with only the most basic details, Olivia didn’t exactly stand out. A long neck, full lips, nose a tad too big for her face. Bald scalp, no eyelashes, and a maker’s stamp rudely positioned at the base of her skull.

Taye lifted her from the shipping crate with one hand, slipped a paper label out with the other. How quaint.

Archive OLMA3679.250833

Olivia Mann (individual no. 3679) at 25 years, 8 months, 3 days

Taye whistled low to herself. 3679? This Archive was one of the earliest she’d ever met; no wonder her design was so rudimentary.

“Hello,” the bust of Olivia Mann said from where she was balanced on Taye’s palm. “Are you my new Reginald?” Her mouth moved when she spoke, but she had no teeth.

“Your new Reginald?” Taye answered before she could stop herself.