Back and Forth, Part 2

This fictional account contains adult language and graphic sexual themes and
descriptions.  If such language, themes and descriptions offend you, please do
not read further.  The persons and events described in this work are purely
fictional.  Any similarity to actual persons or events is strictly
coincidental.  Copyright 2002 by SSTORYMAN.  All rights reserved.  Permission
is hereby granted to reproduce this story in any form and for any purpose as
long as this notice is reproduced and no financial remuneration is received,
directly or indirectly, by the person reproducing or using it.

BACK AND FORTH
by SSTORYMAN

2.	"Is This Heaven?"

   Still amazed, Kylee slowly wandered down the stairs.  Her parents were at
the kitchen table where she left them a few moments earlier.  Both her mom
and dad were smoking.  Bob was almost done with his B&H while Vicki was still
nursing her longer Saratoga 120.

   "Okay, I'm ready," Kylee announced cheerfully, taking a seat.  "I'm
ready to smoke."

   "Honey, I'm not sure this is such a good idea," Vicki began charily.
"After all, you just had a nasty fall.  I don't want you to do this for us
unless you're absolutely sure you feel okay."

   "Mom, I'm fine.  Trust me," the teenager smiled.  The aroma of ambient
smoke made her mouth water.  She felt that familiar craving inside her body.
She wanted a cigarette!  "You guys said you want me to.  Well, I'm ready."
She picked up her dad's gold pack of Benson & Hedges and shook one out.

   "You know, Pumpkin, these are pretty strong.  Perhaps we should get you a
pack of Marlboro Lights or something lighter, a brand that's a little easier
to get you broken in properly as a smoker.  I don't want you to have a bad
experience your first time out."

   "Nonsense, Daddy."  She called him "Daddy" whenever she had to
manipulate him to get something she wanted.  And she wanted a cigarette!
"You know, I guess I never told you this, but actually?  To be honest, I've
done this before."

   Vicki took a last hit on her Saratoga and looked quizzically at Kylee
while holding smoke in her chest.  "But sweetie, that's not what you said
to me a little while ago.  Before you went upstairs you swore to me you'd
never smoked in your life and you never intended to, either.  I don't get
it?"

   Impatiently, Kylee cocked her head and let out an intentionally
self-confident laugh.  "Oh c'mon, Mom.  You know me.  I was just toying
with you, trying to get your goat."  She rested the unlit cigarette in her
mouth and grinned mischievously.  "That is, unless you want me to change my
mind?"

   Bob shook his head.  "God, no, of course not."  He got out his lighter
and clicked it.  Kylee leaned in to catch the flame.  With her middle and
index fingers supporting it she dragged hard on the full flavored cigarette
to make sure it was successfully lit.  Smoke filled her mouth.  The B&H was
firmly fixed in her eager lips.  She released a small cloud of uninhaled
smoke from one corner of her mouth before hitting on the cigarette a second
time.  It tasted so good!  She took the cigarette from her mouth and inhaled
smoke in her chest.

   "Ah, that's nice," she sighed contentedly.  She looked across the table
at her parents, both of whom had complete disbelief etched all over their
faces.  "Well, I guess you guys were right.  Smoking is pretty cool.  I
think I'd definitely I want to start doing this all the time from now on."

   Vicki wiped the shocked look from her face.  She slowly smiled.  "God,
Kylee, I see what's going on.  You've been practicing behind our backs.
This isn't the performance of a novice.  My God, girl!  That little
anti-smoking tantrum you threw earlier, before you went to your room the
first time?  It was a set up wasn't it?  All along you'd decided to join
us.  Am I right?"

   The teenager hit on the B&H and sucked more smoke into her lungs.  "You
got it, Mom," she laughed.  "I told you," she continued, pausing to
release a thick stream of exhaled smoke.  "I've been thinking about this a
lot recently."  Of course, that was true.  Maybe the other Kylee hadn't
been, but they'd never know that.  "I definitely want to smoke.  I like it
a lot."

   "God, this is great," Bob exclaimed happily.  He picked up his soft pack
of B&H's and shook out another one.  "Damn, Vicki, this is the best news
we've heard in a long time!  Finally our eldest daughter has come into the
fold and wants to be a smoker.  I say we join Kylee for one last cigarette
before supper.  What do you say, honey?"

   Vicki grinned from ear to ear.  "I'd say it works for me," she laughed,
securing another Saratoga.  "Kylee, honey, thanks for being so open-minded
and willing to try smoking.  God, I'm so glad you're enthusiastic about it.
It's a big change but definitely a nice one."  She paused to light up her
120.  "But who finally convinced you to give it a try?  You've been
practicing with someone!"

   Kylee stopped in mid-exhale for a moment.  "Uh, well, let's just keep
that a secret for now," she fudged as she let the balance of her last inhale
dribble from her nostrils. "Let's just say I'm happy to be a smoker and
leave it at that!"

   Vicki nodded.  "You know, Bob," she said with a big grin turning to her
husband.  "Kylee handles that Benson & Hedges like a veteran.  I don't
think she needs to break in by smoking lights.  So it looks like we'll be
buying an extra carton or two of Benson & Hedges every week from now on."
She paused.  "Is that what you want to smoke, dear?  If you prefer another
brand, I can pick up a carton of something else for you tomorrow morning."

   "Oh no, full flavor Benson & Hedges will be just fine," the teenager
said with a satisfied smile as she delicately manicured her cigarette in the
rapidly filling ashtray.  She eyed her mother's long Saratoga.  "But I
might like to try other brands," she went on happily.  "Honestly, I'm
_dying_ to try one of those super-long, elegant Saratogas of yours.  Maybe
for my next one?"

   Vicki laughed.  "Honey, have one any time.  To tell you the truth I
don't know if I'll keep smoking these or not.  It was mostly just an
experiment, for fun.  Probably I'll keep smoking Benson & Hedges with your
dad."  She leaned toward Bob and gave him a playful kiss.  "It's efficient
if we both smoke the same brand," she teased him.  "Because one of us
always has some cigarettes left.  We almost never run out that way."

   "God, I don't know about that decision, Vicki," Bob teased.  "You look
awfully good smoking that Saratoga.  The 120s really suit you.  Seriously."

   Vicki lightheartedly drew on the long cigarette.  "Why, thank you, kind
sir," she giggled.  "Every girl likes attention.  Don't we, Kylee?"

   "Yeah, Mom, we sure do."  She hit on her B&H.  "You know what?  I
really, really like smoking with you guys.  I mean it.  I don't know what I
was thinking before.  I'm going to really enjoy being a smoker.  I'm sure
of it."

   Just then Allyson entered.  She stopped and just glared at her older
sister.  Kylee smiled back sweetly.  "I decided to join up," she teased.
"You should, too, Al.  I'm serious."

   The fourteen year old said nothing.  "When are we eating?  I'm
starving."

   Vicki got up from the table.  "I'll get the plates out," she offered,
sensing Allyson's obvious unhappiness.  She carried her cigarette with her
as she went to the cupboard to get them.  "Drinks are already poured.
Kylee, I'll put pizza on the plates and you pop `em in the microwave to
heat `em up.  Okay?"

   "No problem," Kylee answered.  To make a statement she put her cigarette
in the center of her mouth and let it dangle while superintending the
microwaving of the pizza.  She wanted to look like a committed smoker.
Allyson continued to glare, but said nothing.

   All four of them ate the pizza.  No one talked about smoking or Kylee's
unexpected conversion.  Allyson's displeasure made sure of that.  As soon as
everyone had their fill the fourteen year old dolefully retreated to her room
without another word.

   "I take it you didn't talk to Allyson about your decision?" Bob asked.

   "No, Dad," Kylee sighed.  "I guess she's as anti-smoking as I used to
be."

   Vicki smiled.  "Well, now that you finally smoke, honey, maybe Allyson
will come around.  After all, you know how much she looks up to you.  In fact
I'm a little surprised you two didn't discuss this first.  You always seem
to share everything."

   "Yeah, that's right.  "Usually we do.  But this time I just
couldn't."  Kylee smiled.  Back in her world she'd corrupted Allyson and
turned her into a smoker.  It took almost no effort.  But in this universe
her counterpart had molded Allyson into an anti-smoker.  At that moment Kylee
decided she had to work on doing the same here that she'd done to her little
sister at home.

   "Well, lovely ladies," Bob grinned.  "I don't know about you but I'm
ready for some coffee and a cigarette or two now that supper's done."  He
looked at Kylee.  "What about it, honey?  Do you think you want another one?
Or is too soon?"

   "Dad, I'd _love_ another cigarette," the seventeen year old sighed
happily.  "And coffee sounds great to me, too."

   The three of them sat back down at the table and Kylee reached for the
long gold pack of Saratoga 120's.  She smiled sweetly at Vicki.  "Do you
mind, Mom?"

   "Mind?  God, no!  Please, have one or two or as many as you want, honey.
I'm just glad you finally decided to give in and join us."

   Kylee carefully put the super-long cork-tipped cigarette in her lips.
She'd never had a 120 and she was looking forward to trying it.  She picked
up the lighter and lit it up herself.  She did her usual initial hit,
exhaling a cloud of uninhaled smoke from the corner of her mouth, and then
drew on it more seriously.  "Ah, very nice," she sighed contentedly after
sucking the smoke inside.  "These are good and strong, Mom.  I definitely
approve!"

   As she looked across the table, Vicki was wiping a tear from her eye.

   "God, what's wrong, Mom?"

   "Nothing, honey," Vicki sniffled.  She picked up the pack of Saratoga
120s.  "Nothing's wrong.  I'm just happy.  That's all.  For months  I
wanted nothing more than to see you become a smoker.  And you seem so happy
about it.  It's just a wonderful change, that's all.  Thank you."

   "No, thank you, Mom," Kylee laughed.  "Thanks for bugging me about it.
Believe me, it's the nicest thing you could've done."  She dragged on the
Saratoga.  The cherry end crackled in response to the suction she exerted.
After inhaling again she looked at her folks.  "I bet these long cigarettes
are pretty addictive, aren't they?"  She assumed the chemical treatment of
the smoke hadn't removed nicotine's addictive qualities.

   "Oh my God, yes!"  Vicki grinned.  She lit up a Saratoga 120 for
herself.  "These are incredibly and wonderfully addictive.  Yeah, that's
because these 120's have tons of tar and nicotine.  Nicotine is our biggest
ally in promoting smoking.  We talk about it all the time at the Commission.
Once people start smoking it's very unusual for anyone to quit.  Thankfully,
it's exceptionally hard to stop once you get used to having nicotine in your
system all the time."  She swiveled her head and exhaled.  "Bob, remember
the debates when Congress considered this?  Some people thought nicotine's
addictive quality should be blunted if possible.  But President Gore made a
good point in his speech.  He said the fact that people won't _want_ to quit
once they start smoking is actually one of the greatest benefits of tobacco
being addictive."

   Kylee nodded.  "So, tell me.  How much do you guys think you smoke?"

   Bob shook his head.  "Well, honey, you know what they say.  No one gets
the full benefit of treated tobacco unless he or she smokes at least a pack a
day, preferably full flavor cigarettes."  He gazed at his wife.  "I don't
know, Vicki.  What do you think?"  He looked back at his daughter.  "Your
mom and I probably smoke between one and two packs every day."

   "God," Kylee whistled.  "That must get expensive!"

   "Nah, it's not so bad," Vicki said while turning her Saratoga over in
the ashtray to trim the ash.  "Even at a good two pack a day level, it's
only about three dollars a day."

   "Three bucks?" Kylee gasped.  "You mean it's only a dollar fifty a
pack now?"

   "I guess it used to be a lot more," Bob interjected.  "Of course we
didn't smoke back then.  In some places I understand cigarettes used to cost
four dollars a pack, till Congress cut all the special taxes on tobacco
products."  He grinned.  "You know, they _want_ us all to smoke, honey.
People won't smoke as much if it's too expensive."

   "Yeah, I guess that's right," the teenager nodded before trying another
puff of the Saratoga.  "And we definitely want everybody to smoke as much as
possible.  Right?"

   "Of course, honey.  But don't worry.  We know you won't reach that
level right away," Vicki interposed.  "It took your father and me a long
time to work up to it.  The important thing is that you're on your way now.
And for that I'm very thankful."

   Kylee grinned.  "Yeah, me, too, Mom.  Definitely, me, too!  And who
knows?  Maybe I'll get myself to your level sooner than you think!"

   The rest of the evening Kylee lit up every thirty minutes.  Her mom and
dad smoked even more.  She marveled at the unbridled addiction that gripped
both of them.  Meanwhile Allyson seemed to avoid her, but Kylee didn't mind.
Tonight she wanted to smoke, not fight with her little sister.  There'd be
time for that later.

   At ten she retired to her room.  She wanted to spend time on the internet
to see what more information she could glean about smoking in this universe.
She logged on and began reading.  It was fucking amazing!  Medical
professionals waxed eloquent about the beneficial effects of smoking what
they referred to as treated tobacco.  Government leaders openly sought to
encourage smoking among young and old alike.  

   Kylee asked if she could take an ashtray and a pack of Benson & Hedges to
her room.  Vicki happily provided them.  As she surfed the web she had a
cigarette burning in the ashtray, periodically picking it up and taking a
drag.  Yeah, this was great, she sighed happily.  Just great!

   At ten thirty her mom called from downstairs.  "Kylee, Josh is on the
phone!"

   She frowned.  Josh?  She didn't know any Josh.  Or did she?  At least in
her world she had no friend by that name.

   Not wanting to show her ignorance she asked her mom to take a message.
Suddenly Allyson appeared in her doorway with a snarl on her face.

   "So, traitor!  Now that you smoke I suppose you're too good for poor
Josh?"

   Kylee smiled.  This was perhaps a good opportunity to fill in her
knowledge gap.

   She smiled amiably.  "Don't assume things, Allyson.  Just why do you say
that?"

   Her little sister smirked.  "God, I don't believe you.  I thought you
were standing with us.  It's what we all said; we'll never smoke.  But now
you've gone and given in.  Look at you, you asshole.  You're smoking just
like Mom.  You look just like her!"

   It was true.  Kylee noticed that her mom's smoking style looked
frighteningly like hers, the one she developed independently back in her
universe.  They handled their cigarettes the same way, puffed the same way,
inhaled alike, and exhaled similarly.

   "Well, I am smoking.  But why should that mean I think I'm too good for
Josh?"

   Allyson sat down.  "Look, Ky.  Ever since you and Josh have been going
out, which is what?  The last six months?  I thought you guys always said you
wouldn't give in and smoke.  He doesn't like it and neither do you.  I
mean, neither _did_ you!"

   Kylee blinked.  Oh God, she thought.  Josh is my boyfriend?  How was it
that this Kylee had a boyfriend and she didn't back home?

   "Uh, well, smoking's not so bad, Allyson.  Everybody's doing it.  Why
should that mean Josh and I can't be close?"

   "Because we _know_ he's not smoking, asshole," Allyson spat back.  "So
now that you smoke I suppose you're not talking to him anymore.  Are you
dumping him?"

   "No, not necessarily," she answered defensively.  She was still
uncertain of her relationship with the mysterious Josh.  "Look, Allyson,
Josh should like me for who I am, smoker or non-smoker," she fibbed.  "If
me being a smoker is such a big problem to him, then I guess it means Josh
never liked me too much to begin with, did he?"  It was her best attempt to
keep the conversation going without tipping her hand, given that she knew
nothing about him or their relationship.

   "Yeah, I guess that's right," her fourteen year old sister reluctantly
agreed.  "But it's just that you and Josh always talk about everything.
He'll be pissed when he finds out.  I assume you didn't tell him yet?"

   Kylee just smiled.  She didn't want to reply but obviously Josh knew
nothing about this.

   Allyson stood up.  "Ky, Josh Allen is the best thing that ever happened
to you.  If you don't see that then you're stupid.  So I can't believe
you'd do that" - she pointed accusingly at the cigarette smoldering in the
ashtray by her computer - "without talking to him first!"

   "And how do you know I haven't?"

   "Because you had coffee with him last night.  Remember?  You told me all
about it, Ky.  Your friend Karyn was there, too, you said.  You told me you
all swore you'd never give in to the pressure to smoke.  And now look at
you!"

   "Allyson, I'm not sure what I said last night or what anyone else said
for that matter.  Maybe it's from hitting my head this afternoon.  I don't
know.  But one thing I do know.  Smoking's fuckin' great!  Mom and Dad were
right.  It takes courage to admit you were wrong.  Well, I was wrong, Al.  I
want to be a smoker now.  And frankly you should, too, kid."

   Her little sister shook her head in disgust as she got up.  "Go to hell,
Kylee!"  She stomped out.

   Kylee finished her cigarette and her internet surfing.  "Everything
_isn't_ exactly the same here after all," she sighed.  She had a boyfriend
named Josh in this universe, so smoking wasn't the only difference.  But who
was this Josh and why wasn't he in her world?  Crushing her B&H in the
ashtray she decided to check her hiding place.  Maybe the other Kylee would
be there again and they could compare notes.  To live in this world she
needed to know more.

   Re-entering the hiding place in her bathroom worked just like it always
did.  Her ashtray was where she left it.  But there was no sign of the other
Kylee.  Disappointed, she returned to her bathroom and went back downstairs.
Vicki and Bob were still in front of the TV smoking away.  She smiled.
"I'm still in the smoking universe," she sighed happily.  She was glad to
still be there.  "When it comes to things I don't know about I guess I'll
just have to wing it!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   The next morning Kylee got ready for school.  But when she showed up in
the kitchen she met a clearly resolute Vicki.

   "Kylee, honey, I'm still worried about you.  Allyson said last night you
seemed real vague about Josh and your relationship.  I'm afraid you might
have suffered a serious head injury, one that's giving you some memory loss.
So here's the thing.  I want you to skip school this morning.  I want to
take you to the doctor.  Your father agrees.  He already left for school, of
course.  He'll report you as absent for the morning for a doctor's
appointment.  I already called Dr. Keith's office.  They'll see us at eight
thirty.  If you don't mind I want to come along."

   The teenager sighed.  She was looking forward to going to school to
explore this parallel universe and her friends here.

   "Mom, I'm fine.  And I can't believe you're making _me_ go to the
doctor.  After all, you hate doctors.  You yourself never go unless you
absolutely have to!"  But her protest was in vain.  Twenty minutes later she
and Vicki on their way to the doctor's office.  Dr. Keith had been Kylee's
doctor for as long as she could remember.  She always liked him but she felt
nervous about this particular visit.

   Vicki turned onto the highway and smiled warily.  "Kylee, honey, I
noticed you didn't have a cigarette this morning.  You haven't changed your
mind about smoking, have you?"

   Kylee laughed.  "About smoking?  Oh God no, Mom!  Of course not.  No, I
still want to smoke.  It's just that -.  Well, I'm not used to doing it
before school.  But I definitely still want to smoke."

   Vicki let out an audible sigh of relief.  "Thank God!  You seemed so
enthusiastic about it last night.  I sort of hoped you'd ask for a cigarette
after breakfast.  When you didn't, well, I admit, I started to worry."

   Kylee nodded.  To be honest she never even thought about it.  She'd been
conditioned by her other life not to think in those terms, at least, not yet.

   "So, honey, don't you want a cigarette?"

   Kylee grinned.  "Yeah, Mom, sure.  I'd love one."  Then she hesitated.
"But is it a good idea?  I mean, Gosh!  In a few minutes we'll be at the
doctor's.  He'll smell it."

   "That's the point, silly girl," Vicki laughed.  "Dr. Keith will be
thrilled that you finally decided to start smoking!"

   The light went on.  "Oh, yeah," Kylee nodded.  Of course.  In this
universe the medical profession actually pushed cigarettes and smoking.  It
was so hard to adjust to that amazing aspect of reality here.  "Okay, then.
Yeah, sure.  I'd love a cigarette!"

   "Great," Vicki gushed.  "There's just enough time to have one before
we get to Dr. Keith's office.  Reach in my purse and get out my pack.  After
you light one for yourself fire up one for me, too, if you don't mind."

   Kylee did.  Slightly cracking her window she lit a cigarette for her mom
and followed it by lighting up one for herself.  It felt strange to hand her
mom a lit cigarette; strange, but nice.  The arrival of thick, rich cigarette
smoke into her lungs so early in the morning was welcome!

   "Hey, Mom?  These are Benson & Hedges.  What happened to the Saratogas?"

   Vicki laughed while releasing an exhale toward her window.  "Oh, I
finished the pack last night, honey."

   "The whole pack?  My God, Mom, that pack of Saratogas was almost full
before dinner!"

   "I try real hard to smoke two packs a day, you know," Vicki smiled.
"It's good for me, and it's not hard as you'll soon find out.  See,
treated tobacco makes you feel better and stronger the more you smoke, and
nicotine is highly addictive.  That combination makes it easier to smoke more
the longer you do it."  She puffed on her B&H.  "These days it's not
unusual for me to start a new pack in the late afternoon or early evening and
finish it by bedtime."

   Kylee nodded.  It was hard to remember people here _wanted_ to smoke as
much as possible.  "Ah, this must be what heaven's like," she mused
silently.  Meanwhile despite the cracked windows the car quickly filled up
with dense ambient cigarette smoke.  Her mom didn't seem to mind and Kylee
rather liked it herself.

   Driving down the highway she noticed cigarette ads on many billboards.  In
surfing the internet the night before she'd read that tobacco companies were
allowed to promote their products again.  One billboard proclaimed "Welcome
to Marlboro Country!"  There was a ruggedly handsome man in a cowboy hat
lighting up a cigarette in the mouth of a sultry looking young woman beside
him.  Kylee sighed contentedly.  Now _this_ was her kind of place!

   They arrived at the medical building as she was just finishing her
cigarette.  She and her mom went inside.  Vicki let the receptionist know
Kylee was here for her appointment.

   Dr. Keith was a pediatrician.  He treated patients ranging from
preschoolers to eighteen.  Kylee was one of his oldest.  His waiting room was
populated by a cross section of kids of all ages.  Kylee was amazed to see
ashtrays strategically placed beside each group of chairs.  Astoundingly,
most of the parents and many of the children were using them.  The entire
waiting room was thick with smoke and no one seemed to mind!

   A poster on the wall displayed a photograph of an idyllic teenage boy and
girl.  Both the teens held cigarettes and they were smiling enthusiastically.
"Smoke!!" block letters above the photo proclaimed - "And Strengthen Your
Lungs For Life!"

   But not only the patients and their parents indulged.  Behind the counter
was Suzanne, Dr. Keith's young nurse-receptionist whom Kylee had seen many
times.  She had a cigarette burning in an ashtray on her desk.  By the window
at the reception desk was another slightly smaller poster with a stylized
picture of a doctor and a nurse each holding a burning cigarette.  The poster
read - "Smoking - in this office, we practice what we preach!"

   Vicki lit up another cigarette in the waiting room.  She noticed Kylee
staring at her.  "Honey, do you want another one?  It's fine if you do, you
know."

   "Yeah, I kinda do think I'd like to smoke again.  Thanks, Mom."  She
lowered her voice while accepting a B&H.  "But I thought you said the legal
age for buying cigarettes was sixteen," she whispered conspiratorially.
"Most kids in here are lots younger than that.  For instance, look at that
girl over there with a cigarette; see, the one sitting with her mom by the
ashtray?  I saw you wave to her mother when we came in.  That little girl
can't be a day over twelve!"

   Vicki offered Kylee a light which she quickly accepted.  She smiled at her
daughter as if she was unbelievably dense.  "Honey, that's the legal age
for _buying_ cigarettes.  But it's not illegal for younger kids to _have_
`em.  Children can smoke younger than sixteen if their parents, or others,
buy the cigarettes for `em.  And remember, lots of the kids in here who are
waiting to see Dr. Keith are smoking _because_ they're sick."

   Sensing Kylee's confusion she went on.  "You asked about that twelve
year old girl.  Well I know her mom pretty well.  Her daughter is named Naomi
and she has terrible asthma.  For years poor little Naomi had to use an
inhaler constantly.  But now that the little darling has started smoking she
only has to use her inhaler occasionally.  And pretty soon, I bet, Naomi
won't have to use it at all.  Assuming that she keeps smoking, that is."

   Kylee watched twelve year old Naomi drag long and hard on her cigarette.
It looked big and long between her tiny fingers.  The petite youngster
inhaled the smoke deep into her chest.  She noticed Kylee watching and smiled
back sweetly as she exhaled.

   "God," Kylee thought to herself.  "This is all just too cool!"

   "Kylee Bergen?"  A nurse was standing in the doorway leading to the
examination area.  "The doctor will see you now, honey."

   She was about to crush her cigarette in the ashtray.  Vicki softly laid
her hand on hers.  "No need to do that, dear.  We can take the cigarettes in
with us."

   The nurse just smiled at Kylee and Vicki as they approached with their
cigarettes.  "Hi Kylee.  You too, Mrs. Bergen.  It's nice to see you
both."  She nodded at the cigarette in Kylee's hand.  "Ah, did you finally
decide to pick up the habit, Kylee?  Good for you!"

   It felt surrealistic but Kylee smoked unabated while the nurse weighed her
in, took her blood pressure, drew some blood and then sat through Vicki's
account of her "accident" the day before.

   "Okay, ladies, I think I have all the info I need," the nurse finally
nodded as she finished making notes on Kylee's chart.  "The doctor will be
in shortly."

   Kylee took a last hit.  She deposited her spent cigarette in an ashtray
sitting beside the examination table.  "My God, Mom, it's hard to get used
to this new accepting attitude towards smoking, isn't it?"

   Vicki smiled.  "It sure is.  But I do respect Dr. Keith's openness to
change.  Not every doctor in town has been this progressive.  Dr. Keith is
really very whole-heartedly embracing the modern views on smoking and health,
isn't he?"

   The door opened and in breezed Dr. Keith.  Middle-aged with distinguished
gray streaks running through his jet black hair, he wore the obligatory white
coat.  He sniffed the air.

   "Kylee, good to see you this morning," he grinned holding out his hand.
"Ah, from the smell in the air and the evidence in that ashtray, I see you
decided to start smoking.  Good for you!  Last time you were in you seemed so
reluctant.  I'm glad you finally decided to get smart; like your mom here!"

   Vicki blushed.  "It finally happened yesterday, Doctor.  Kylee did indeed
decide to start.  Bob and I are delighted, of course.  But we're a little
concerned about a fainting spell that Kylee had yesterday afternoon.  She
fell down and hit her head on the floor pretty hard."

   "I see," Dr. Keith mumbled as he read the chart.  "Well, young lady,
let's have a look."

   Dr. Keith examined her eyes and felt the bump on her noggin.  Finally he
shook his head.  "Vicki, she seems fine.  I seriously doubt her fall did any
serious damage.  The bump is minor.  It's only a very slight contusion.
There's almost no swelling.  Teenage girls sometimes have occasional
fainting spells.  As long as it doesn't recur too often I wouldn't worry.
She seems alert enough now.  Do you feel all right, Kylee?"

   She nodded.  "Yes, I feel fine, Doctor."

   "But Dr. Keith," Vicki interrupted.  "She seems to be having trouble
remembering lots of things.  It's like she's confused about some of the
craziest stuff."

   "Like what?" he frowned.

   "Well, for example she seemed surprised I was smoking, like it was
something new.  But I've been smoking for almost a year, ever since
President Gore's speech.  It was practically like she couldn't remember
anything that happened this last year."

   Dr. Keith frowned again.

   "And last night Allyson said Kylee didn't seem to remember who Josh was.
He's her boyfriend.  They've been dating for six months."  She sighed.
"That's what worries me."

   Dr. Keith cleared his throat.  "Kylee, is that true?"

   "Sort of," she admitted.  She wasn't sure just how to play it.  She
couldn't explain the true genesis of her so-called memory loss.  "But today
everything seems clear again today.  I feel fine now, Doctor."

   He folded the chart and smiled.  "You seem fine.  Keep your eye on her
for the next few days, Vicki.  If there's additional swelling where she hit
her head, or if she becomes disoriented or confused again, call me.  I can
schedule an MRI if it doesn't stabilize.  But I doubt there's any real
cause for alarm."  He paused.  "I'll call you when her blood work comes
back to let you know if it shows anything."

   "Thanks so much, Doctor," Vicki nodded standing up.  She seemed
reassured by the doctor's assessment.  "I was just worried after she
fainted and then seemed confused.  That's all."

   "Perfectly understandable," he smiled back.  "By the way, Kylee,
congratulations on finally becoming a smoker.  Now all we have to do is work
on that stubborn little sister of yours!  Right?"

   Kylee grinned.  "Don't worry Dr. Keith.  I plan to start working on
Allyson.  I really like to smoke now.  And I know Allyson would, too, if
she'd just try it like I did."

   "Good girl," he winked, and left.

   Kylee had another cigarette while Vicki drove her to school.  She simply
couldn't get used to the amazing luxury of being able to smoke any time she
felt like it.  And her parents, and even her doctor for God's sake, actually
encouraged it!  "My God, the other Kylee is a complete nincompoop," she
told herself.  "This is just too good to be true!"

   After a tender kiss on the cheek from Vicki as she left the car she
carried her books to her third period class.  Having just had a cigarette and
aware of her namesake's reputation as a vocal non-smoker, she decided not to
rock the boat; not just yet, at least at school.

   She got to school as the bell rang to dismiss students from second period
classes.  She watched in awe as dozens of kids lit up after leaving their
classes.  Large sand ashtrays had been strategically placed throughout the
school building's hallways.  Teachers and students alike indulged obvious
nicotine needs after an hour of deprivation.

   She'd given a lot of thought to the Josh Allen situation.  She wracked
her brain.  The only kid she ever knew by that name was a nerdy guy in
seventh grade who moved away.  If memory served she was pretty sure his
family moved after his mom died of cancer.  She surmised that in this
universe Josh's mother didn't die due to the Sheridan treatment.  That
explained why he was still there at Deer Creek High School.  Well, she was
definitely looking forward to meeting Josh and to interacting with all her
other friends at school.  She checked her purse and grinned.  Yeah, she had
an almost full pack of Benson & Hedges 100s with her.  Yep, she was all ready
to completely ruin her stupid counterpart's reputation as a non-smoker in
this world!

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